New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-14
REAL TUNNEL WORK NOW.
CEREMONIES TO MARK THE BEGINNING
OF THE EXCAVATION.

Interesting ceremonies will mark the beginning
this afternoon of the actual work of eXcavating the
rapid transit subway. The first spadeful OF eartA
In the excavation proper of the tunnel will be
termed at o'clock this afternoon at e-hundred-
and-hfty- -sixth-st. and Broadway. Arrangements
have been made by the residents of the neighbor-
mood httinGly to celebrate the occasion. Corpora
tion Counsel Whalen has been invited to strike the
first blow with the pick. 1t is explained that the
reason why Mr.. Whalen selected for this honor
is because he had urged upon the Rapid Transit
commission the desrabty of starting the work of
digging the tunnel in the northern part of the city
simut taneously with the lower sections. The guests
who have been invited by Newell Martin and
b Thomas F. McAvoy. the Committee of Arrange
ments. to take part In the celebration will include
the Rapid Transit Commissioners, William Barclay
Parsons. chief engineer to the Board; John B. Nc
Donald, the contractor, and many of the officials of
the city government. Among others who have init
mated their intention of being present are Charles
Sooysmith, DR.. G. j. Lederle, A. b. Boardman, Ed
ward NJ Shepard c. H. Kelsey, William L. Still
lings, Edward NJ. Morgan, Major John w. Fleck.
Thomas Alexander, E. b. Treat. Jacob D. Butler,
Henry j. ROttmann, Francis j. Worcester, j. Ro-
maine Brown Charles ". Thom DR. Morton Grin
nell. Pel ". Foster, Jo3eph Haag. Charles l.. Guy
Joseph A. Goulden. ". ]. Van Pelt, Robert j
Hoguet, f. b. Witty, Stephen Farrely and
Walter Stahler
The police tug Patrol has been placed at the SER
vice of the committee by the Police Department
The Patrol, which will leave Pier A, Battery at
fifty -ffth-st. They will be there by the band
OF the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and body of
hundred police, under the command OF Captain
Cortright. \ procession will march TO the spot
selected for the starting of the subway excavation.
Where the guests will be uShered to a platform.
The schools of Washington heights Mil close early
TINS afternoon and tho uIi.s, under the direction
Of their teachers, will assemble sing patriotic
airs Addresses Will be made by ,lAeyanacT Il. orr,
~ Parsons. Mr.. Wha!en and Nj Mcdonald.
fterward reception viii be given by George Bird
Grnnell and Newell Martin at the Hem;ccks Audu-
bon Park Observation-Disclosures y-siXth-st and
Broadway.
Work upon all the sections of the subway will be
started during the next three weeks. So far
the only sub-contract which has been legally
cuted Is that obtained by l.. b. McCabe of Balti-
more. for the construction of the sections ex-
tending from One-hundred and thirty third-st to
Hitside-aye. The other sub-contracts. however.
Will undoubtedly be signed and sealed this week
ana they provide that work shall be begun within
n1teen days of signing 1t was said yesterday that
me delay was due to hitch in the bonding of
the sub-contractors. but this rumor could NOT he
verified John b. Mcdonald, the contractor de-
MED that there had been any difficulties regarding
the bonds and explained that the construction COM
pany had purposely delayed the beginning of work
on the lower sections IN order that first start
might be made upon the northern section of the
route N0