New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-06
WHAT Mr.. COLER SAID.
NR. yREELAND THINKS 1T REASONABLE
TO SUPPOSE THE METROPOLITAN
WOULD TAKE TUNNEL
ON FAIR TERMS.

r-.-oJ1s- -ole- was reported yesterday as hav-
.,g made the announcement at a meeting which
he addressed on Sunday night in Williamsburg
.h,r me Metropolitan Street Railway Company
- acquired the rights TO operate the underground
-.r,d transit road when II IS completed. Mr.
l-oIer went 10 Syracuse yesterday. but before ne
-. the CITY II the morning he Is understood to
,sve denied making any such unqualified state
rent as was attributed % him. What II is related
- did say was that the Metropolitan company
NTH the vast ramihcations of its surface system
could more advantageously operate the road
man am other company
IN holding this opinion Mr. Coer not excep-
,ional Albert 3. Boardnaan- the counsel Of the
RAND Transit Board; Alexander E. Orr, and many
o.bers who are Interested in the success OF the
-r,rae have rot hesitated 10 declare their convic-
ron that the Metropolitan company particularly
well adapted the tunnel road. by means of
~apsfe-s 20 the surface lines the interests
and 10 the greatest convenience Of the travelling
public Although II Is confidently believed that
me Metropolitan company will eventually acquire
the right operate the road r. Il. Nreeland. the
president OF the company. emphatically declared
yesterday there been the least ap-
r1r0ach % any negotiations with the construction
4 t.e Controller said what ne is reported as
OF something Naich was outside my knowledge
IS nave mad nothing DO with the tunnel
was made with the understanding that il would be
Withdrawn i II ala not wiz public approval
prove H. and We withdrew Since that time We
have had nothing do with the But il
reasonable 10 suppose mat as our company is in
me business o. carrying passengers. we would. II
could 90 50 on favorable terms. acquire the
tunnel and operate IL a trunk line. and
transfers 70 and from surface roads. But so
would any other existing street railroad company
Z could ge- The tunnel on advantageous terms "
Alexander L. orr president OF ne Rapid Transit
Commission. said mat while the Board had no
knowledge 10 VINO would operate the road after
completion. personally had always thought
thst me Metropolitan company the natural
ally II Lhe underground railroad
hfa--
greater facilities transfer than any other com
pany. and me tunnel would relieve its surface
roads Of mucn long haul traffic. 7 think Il would
be good thing for the Metropolitan company If
and Z would certainly be a good thing for the
public 10 nave me advantage Of a comprehensive
transfer system
The JOINT committee Of the Council and Board of
Aldermen appointed arrange fitting celebration
OF me beginning Of the work OF constructing the
tunnel viii meet this afternoon. Il is understood
that Z has already beer decided take the first
sh0Yelful Of earth from the triangular railed-n
space Immediately south Of the City Hail plaza
and north Of the fountain. The Mayor will be
asked By the joint committee WELD the shovel
monv viii take place March - The City Hall
Will he deliberately decorated. and military band
taCas the exercises viii be artisticaliy designed
- order thai they may Dc suitable FOR souvenirs.
The assignment OF the tunnel contract by John
:. Mcdonald 20 the Rapid Transit Subway Com
Clerk BY the agreement the Subway company
advances Mr.. Mcdonald s.. 051 60. for which he
has Eiven MS notes bic in year with the
"f'-lon OF an extension Tor A second year. and
on ne expiration OF that time for third year. at
me option Of the company. The company is
have sole charge Of the work receive all
Or nothing n connection with It except as ap-
proved by the corporation