New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-16
A WORD OF HELP.

Our esteemed neighbor THE Brooklyn Eagle
urges The Tribune to give the project for tun-
mel under the East River which awaits the per-
mission Of the Municipal Assembly its best sup
port The Tribune has been giving that enter
prise its best support for long time. IL IA
vored the passage of the bills giving the Long
Island Railroad Company the necessary IRAN
chises from the State. 1t argued for the ex-
ception Of this tunnel from the twenty-five year
limit which practically forbade the emoarka-
ton of the railroads money in the construction
of terminals which could be controlled only for
so short a term. 1t has repeatedly urged the
Municipal Assembly to give the mere formal
permission which alone stands between the
people and the realization OF this boon of inter-
urban rapid transit. Experience with the per-
versity of the Municipal Assembly has not led
us to think that daily admonition was exactly
the best way to induce 1t TO act for the pubic
benefit but on all occasions when remarks on
the subject seemed appropriate we have re-
corded our conviction that the city authorities
should make way for the construction OF TINS
tunnel, and we gladly respond to "The Eagles
request for still further aid in promoting easier
traffic between the two great boroughs of our
common city.
The taxpayers will be put to no expense for
this tunnel All that is asked of the municipal
authorities is permission to do the work The
rights Of the public are carefully safeguarded in
the law allowing the construction. The iran
chise is not perpetual. The city divests itself or
nothing. 1t only gives permission for the pri-
vate ownership OF the tunnel for fifty years.
with possible renewal Of twenty-five years,
and seventy five years is certainly not an exces-
81 of uha real
terminal of a railroad system, built at that rail
roads expense which in other hands would be
serious menace to the prosperity Of its whole
line. The law under which the tunnel will be
built was approved by Mayor Van Wyck, and
violates no theory or fact of home rule NO re-
spectacle opposition has been manifested to II.
The tunnel will benefit every section of the city.
II will double the means of communication be-
tween Manhattan and Brooklyn. and, moreover,
make accessible all that stretch of Long Island
where thousands of the city workers wish TO go
for rest and recreation and summer air. The
Municipal Assembly has dalled over this matter
long. It should take 1t up at once IL it does not
wish that 'ong" 10 be changed to 'unreasona-
bly" in the popular mind. The railroad Ofhclals
AT every stage have refused to resort to any un-
foreground methods to smooth the way for their
| underground tracks. Their bills were greatly
delayed at Albany, but finally went through If
| the permission now needed is held up great
| while. for no apparent reason, suspicious people
| may begin to imagine reasons for themselves
| The city legislators should remember this when
| they are inclined to be careless and turn their
| attention speedily 10 this enterprise, which, we
| arc sure. once studied, will meet with their
| favor.
We are happy to do all we can TO make life IN
Brooklyn more comfortable for its residents, and
we hope 1.-THE Eagle will reciprocate by helping
in the great Manhattan work Of rapid transit
| which is destined to make traffic In this borough
pleasanter and quicker and benefit all the people
| whether they live in Brooklyn or on Staten Isl
| and who have 10 come here to earn their bread
| A narrow suburban spirit In some outlying sec
| tions Of our city has stood much In the way of
this Improvement in the central borough, and we
| shall be glad TO have "The Eagle help TO coun-
| teract H. The chief obstacles to the tunnel on
this island have after long struggle been over
| come but there may yet be many opportunities
| tn make easier it's success. The two tunnels
should be carried simultaneously to completion,
thus opening up from the furthest east TO the
| furthest north easy lines of communication for
the citizens Of all the boroughs Of the Greater
| New-York.