New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-31
PROTEST FROM THE BRONX.
THE METROPOLITANS RAPIDTRANSIT
SCHEME CONDEMNED.
THE DECLARE THAT NO PROVISION HAS BEEN
MADE FOB THEIR PART OF THE CITY
4 STATEMENT FROM HARLEM's
BOARD OF COMMERCE

At the regular weekly meeting Of the Board OF
Public improvements for the Borough OF The
Bronx held in the Municipal Building One-hun-
bred and seventy -seventh-st and Thrd-ave yes
terdav afternoon a letter was read from the Rev.
Dr Mcmahon. pastor Of ST. Thomas's Church.
West Farms which complains that no provision
has been made for the Borough Of The Bronx in
the plans of the rapid-transit scheme. Or. Nc
Mahon IN his letter says that II is gross injustice
10 the residents Of The Bronx and that the inten-
ton 10 give to the residents of Washington Heights
rapid transit was a scheme Of the property
to advance the price Of real estate.
The Board indorsed the letter. condemned the
MANS and at the suggestion Of Councilman Hot
tenroth the Board determined to send memorial
10 the Legislature.
President Hafrcn Of the Board said that the pres
ent plans for rapid transit would be an injustice 10
25OOl1 people in The Bronx while they would bene-
fit 5oC - people who are residents Of Washington
Heights
Alderman Geger was in favor Of the city owning
the rapid transit road and all other roads He was
also Of the opinion that It was a gross wrong 10
grant franchises in perpetuity. This opinion was
indorsel by Alderman McGrath.
President Hafen said that the people at large
should procure an injunction to restrain the grant
ing Of franchises TO any railroad corporation until
arraneen1ents should be made 10 relieve the con-
gostion Of travel in the Borough Of Tho Bronx
The Board adopted resolutions declaring that the
present plans Of the Rapid Transit Commission
were absolutely inadequate and that in the iudg-
ment Of the Board rapid transit proposition viii
fulfil the needs Of the people that practically
ignores the Borough Of The Bronx, which has
larger population than any city in the State OF
New-York except New-York City and Buffalo.
The Board declares that the Rapid Transit Com
mission should endeavor. by all means in its power
TO have the present rapid transit plans so amended
as 10 give TO the Borough Of The Bronx the con
siderstion il deserves.
The Board also resolved that copy Of the resOlu-
tons should be transmitted to the Rapid Transit
Commission the Mayor, Municipal Assembly and
the Legislature at Albany.
H. c. r Koch chairman Of the Harlem Board o.
Commerce. and his colleagues in that Board are
opposed 70 the plans for rapid transit suggested
by the Metropolitan Traction system The Harlem
Board OF Commerce held a special meeting on
Wednesday al which the suggestion OF the traction
system was discussed The meeting was held at 40
~ East One-hundred and twenty hfth-st. in the
rooms of the Board. The entire committee was
present, and the opinion was unanimous that in is
or properly by, the traction system a statement
1t seems that Their plans propose building nrst
The Fort George section but that part branching
ward and running through LenoX-ave. and 10 The
Bronx Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards is
not TO be commenced until the first section has
demonstrated It's ability TO pay per cent on the
proposition OF the Metropoltan Railway Company.
and after the proposed amendments 10 the Rapid
passed, tho Rapid Transit Commission will con-
slider the plans submitted. and may insist upon
both East and West Side branches being built at
the same time
Consider for a moment what would he the effect
II only the West Side or Fort George section were
built Three years at least would clapse before
trains could be running and probably two years
more before the railway company would be salts
fed that per cent IS outlay was assured
Not until the year 1876 might the East Side expect
rapid transit at its door.
DO you think population of al least four hum
drod thousand. utterly ignored in the calcua-
tons Of metropolitan railway. would quietly sub
nit be left TO the tender merces OF the surface
roads until the year 1906 and its trade and
prospects transferred 10 the West Size? That sec
lion OF Manhattan lying north OF one hundred md
fourth-st and the Borough Of The Bronx contains
a population Of at least five hundred thousand and
Is Der cent live Of Eighth leaving q per
cent only to be benefited by the tunnel road
THE sentiments OF Harlem and The Bronx are
already well understood and the Metropolitan
Street Railway can be assured that no effort Will
be SHARED in demanding OF the Commissioners equal
transit for all upper New-Iork