New-York tribune., 1899-12-23
MP COLER'S PROPOSITION.

The essential merits Of Controller Colers pro-
nosal that the Rapid Transit Commission shodiu
undertake the construction of tunnel roau
from thc Battery to South Brooklyn as IN eX-
tension of rs projected underground communi-
cotions on this side of the East River are not
affected one WAY or the other by the clrcum-
stance that Mr. Coer may see in this plan Il
means of accomplishing indirectly the purpose
70 which Tammany is bitterly opposed. Inc
ouestion whether or not the Commission mas
annie authority under the Rapid Transit act 10
enlarge It's undertaking in this manner has not
heen decisIveIy settled. and is likely to excite
controversy Mr.. Rivcs. member Of the Com
mission and Mr. Parsons its engineer, have
EXPRESSED the opinion that it has such power
and arc understood TO look favOraby. or at least
without disfavor. upon the suggestion; and thus
encouraged. Mr.. Coler hopes to urge its adoption
formally in the near future. OF course, there is
no reason 10 suppose that a suitable oppor ;unity
will be denied him. for he is himself 4 member
of the Commission. and al present on excellent
terms with his colleagues, the Mayor alone eX-
cepted The Mayor being likewise RAPID
Transit Commissioner ex-offciO, will be at full
liberty TO appear and combat the proposition,
but His Honor has evinced such an aversion 10
attending meetings Of the Board that he can
scarcely be expected TO break his rule even for
the sake Of breaking another lance with the
Controller
1t will be readily admitted that the plan Tor
extending the rapid transit system under the
East River has attractions. \ tunnel ROAD 10
South Brooklyn would naturally emerge at n
point where land is cheap and excellent tefmi-
nal facilities could be provided, and it would
tend 10 relieve the congestion at The Bat'ery
which otherwise is likely to prove perpleXing
problem 1t would supply want which is al
ready seriously felt, and would presumably en-
bance the utility of the roads originally pa1noh
for Manhattan and The Bronx. 1t might also
allay the irritation which Brooklyn people have
manifested from time to time over an enterprise
enormously supposed by them to be advan-
taqeous only To others. The source OF the pro
posal and the prima face arguments in It's sup
mort commend II to the careful attention of the
Rapid Transit Commission.
There Is. however, one important consideration
which should not be overlooked. After n long
period Of persistent hostility, maintained FOR
wears out of kindness to the Manhattan COM
pany. and subsequently out of antpathy To
Commission which il could not control, Tam
many Hall within the last few months has ap-
parently resolved to let the people nave the
ran,d transit facilities which they voted Tor in
1894 and have been more and more urgently
demanding ever since. All the artificial OBJ
stacles which have been in the way so long arc
now supposed to have been removed, and If un-
expected financial conditions do not interfere Il
satisfactory bid for the franchise Will probaOF
no made next month But IL is conceivable
that Tammany's belated and reluctant consent
NAV be withdrawn if the municipal ofilcH-S
who are opposed 10 the Controllers original
East River tunnel scheme and somewhat en-
Uttered against the man himself are led to be-
lieve that the Rapid Transit Commission Is help
ING him to accomplish a part Of his main object
in another way.
1t is m6rtfying that such possibilities should
have 70 be taken into account, but it Is wise 10
look the situation in the face II new proJect
is going TO revive old anmosltics the RAPID
Transit Commission is bound to consider the
matter carefully from every point OF view ana
| avoid an imprudent decision.