The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-19
QUEENS CRIES BRIDGE"
TWO HUNDRED ORATOR TACKLE
THE hLDERMBN'S COMMITTEE.

TWO HUNDRED OhhIOhS TACKLE
THE ALDERMBN's COMMITTEE
Com trolIer Coier Advises Them to Take n
Tunnel First and Not Insist the City
Huying Water for Lack OF Money to Ex-
tend its PIant-Tbev All Say Bridge"
Two hundred resi- Tents Of Queens borough
went TO the City Hall yesterday to urge the
Aldermens Committee on Bridges and Tun-
pels. OF which Alderman keahon Is the chair
man. to make a favorable report on the
resolution authorizing the construction Of the
proposed bridge from the foot OF East Sixtieth
ctreet over Blackwell's Island TO Long Island
City. Each one wore red ribbon badge bear
ing the motto: "A bridge for Queens" Comp
troller Coler was on hand 70 advocate the build
ing OF tunnels instead OF bridges. but he did
not seem to have much support before the
committee. Mr. Coler said that the city
administration had been elected to ofllce
on a platform advocating municipal own
ership OF all public franchises.
IF we allow ourselves to go ahead. he said.
and eat up our surplus, which Is now about
S50.00O.0OO for bridges and u rapid transit
railway. we shall be obliged to 60 to private
water companies to procure the water supply
necessary for the growing demands OF the city.
and then We shall ind ourselves face TO face
with private ownership OF public franchises.
which will mean the reputation OF our plat
form. As to tunnels and bridges: There ia no
opposition to a tunnel from South Ferry to
Hamilton avenue. IL can be built In three
years. In Queens you can get u tunnel In two
years. Why not get the tunnel2 and then by the
Increased property valuation resulting from
the operation OF the tunnel we will be
able to build the bridges. But II you
vote your money wild for every good
thing you win throw the city on its back and
bring II face to face with private ownership.
Let us have the tunnels first and then the
bridges"
Mr.. Coler left the chamber as soon rs he had
finished speakin President Bowley OF the
Borough Of Queens spoke after him. He said
on Dec y the Comptroller had told him that
the building OF tunnels would not Interfere
with the bridges
He also voted. In the Board OF Public I'm
provements. in favor OF tunnel across Man.
haitian Island from east to west which. lam now
told. lie a Long Island Railroad scheme" said
Mr. Bowley. only ak months ago he pro-
posed a scheme Tor a So. 100000 park at Corey
Island He has been very inconsistent. He
G' se Sssa The
department he SHOULD not act as the President
favor Of the bridge. said that the Com pt rollers
speech at the hearing and the published state
hiser stenn Wet to him we're at loss to
know where he IL at. said the Coupcilmau.
We want public work OF benefit to all. not to
Councilman Cassidy said that bridge could
be used By trucks and pedestrians, while a
iTucfms Sou Pratt sTnson said sa. 5unnes
were all night Tor private corporations TO build.
s SS thai ss ss s Sas a ns to
600 more this year than WAS to ba spent on It's
government, and that the sl.OOO.O01 asked for
81. Tin H. al DO In cali -
tTiSSted BY that borough. Mr s.ra Ss said said
that there had been a tunnel franchise from
stenee f Tor ten Years aud tkat i had BEEN i'm
possible TO get capital to build the tunnel
EsH s sG ss 70 @ spS
Mr.. Bovley. also favored the bridge.
We don't come herS to oppose the third
said Mr. Fitch, let them h have the Bridge,
All we ask Is that We may have wha. We need
G SsyfUI spropgS sni 10 SqsDM
Probably he i'm, liked ia BROOKLYN"
LAWSON = Fuller sp1ke SO long about the
TO order. Louis windmuller opposed tunnels
because. he said. The people want q bridge
w,so isSi
%n% shaGsn HSS.aG
subject. Alfred II Conkling. who said that he
would get owners OF property worth sl0o.O0O,-
OOO In Manhattan to oppose the bridge plan
asked for an adjournment; Bridge Commits
rionsr shea said the bridge would develop
Queens as no other public improyemon, would
All OF the rcpresontati from Queens declared
that no real-estatc Spectators were Interested
10 the movement for q bridge. Mr.. Horac said
that he was one OF 5000 voters who when
they cast their votes for Mr.. Colar did not ex-
peGt him To become an obstructtonist
The committee adjourned at 4 o'clock. No
announcement Of the action II will take was
made. but as Tammany controls IL. and the
Mayor regards the construction OF tho bridges
as essential 10 the success OF his administra-
ton. there was no doubt expressed yesterday
that they would report the resolution favor
ably at the meeting Of the Aldermen to-day.
II IN estimated that the two new bridges
will cost 3o.00oOOO. This with tho money
necessary for. the rapid transit tunnel,
will about exhaust the debt margin. and
then any increase Of the water supply must
be made by contract with private companies.
similar to the proposed Ramapo contract. A
good many city officials own real estate IN
Queens borough. but apparently this ha. not
Influenced their attitude on the bridge Ques-
ton. Comptroller Coer opposes bridge now
although he owns land in Queens. and Commits
Rearny favors 1t. he also owning property
there.