New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-23
TIGER CLAWS OFF TUNNEL.
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD TO ISSUE ALL
PERMITS TO THE CONTRACTOR

The Rapid Transit Commissioners at their
meeting yesterday afternoon neatly clipped the
Tammany Tigers claws by unanimously passing
the following resolution:
Resolved, That the president and secretary be
the seal of this Board from time to issue
John b. Mcdonald. the contractor, all directions
ton of the contractor in the performance of the
work under his contract
And Commissioner Heating wanted that very
authority left vested in his Department
It may not be that the Rapid Transit Com
missioners took lot of quiet satisfaction in the
passage of the foregoing resolution yesterday,
but their cheerful countenances, they dis
persed. indicated that they were highly pleased
with their hours deliberation and accomplish
ments
John B. Mcdonald, the contractor, at the
meeting and asked the views of those present
with reference TO the right of the Board to grant
him permits for the opening of streets. Ed
ward NJ Shepard counsel to the Commission.
said the Board had the authority and gave rea-
sons. De Lancey Nicoll, counsel to Mr.. McDon-
aid, and George W. Wickersham counsel to
the Subway Construction Company concurred,
and gave more reasons. Then the resolution
was passed, and every one looked at his neigh
Dor and smiled, and said it was a beautiful day.
That's way 1ome of the Commissioners have
when they've voted on something that means
lot.
Mr Mcdonald, who seemed highly gratifed at
the adoption of the resolution, said that he had
asked Chief Engineer Parsons for a permit to
lower the sewer along BIeecker-st., and he init
mated that this piece Of work would be the first
real practical beginning of the tunnel.
Chief Engineer Parsons's report TO President
Orr, on the probable cost of the proposed pipe
gallery, If built when the tunnel is excavated,
between Worth-st. and Astor Place was sub
mitted. He says that the approximate cost will
be S425,OOO, and he also says that, owing the
recent laying of large gas and water mains in
Elm-st, the construction Of the gallery for these
two mains and others that are TO come is abso-
lutely necessary. After Mr.. Parsons's report
had been discussed, the following resolutions
were offered:
tbe bReF@fyed Fng @ That the president in the of
NcPonad 81 , pursuant TO the provisions of Chapter
Board requires from the contra ct6r The efo-, ,Ie
OF additional work and the furnishing of additional
St, between the lower side of Worth-st. and the
rorth side of Astor Place. of galleries for the
commodation of the pipes, wires sewers and other
disturbed in the course of the construction Of the
rapid transit railroad along such part OF Elm
St such galleries TO be constructed pursuant TO the
general plan ana the detailed plans and specifca-
tions be furnished by the chief engineer of the
Board, as hereinafter provided
Resolved. further That the chief engineer pre-
pare detailed plans and specifications for gal
fore such requisiton upon the contractor, and
copies of which shall be transmitted to the
tractor Herewith.
Owing to the fact that these resolutions in
effect carry an appropriation, and that six mem
bers must be at a meeting in order TO pass upon
such measure they were laid over until next
meeting, only five members of the Commits
sion were present.
President Orr occupied the chair Yesterday,
and the others present were Commissioners
Langdon. Jesup and Rives. and Controller Coler
Edward NJ. Shepard John B. Mcdonald De Ian
cey Nicou and George W. Wickersham. The
absentees were Commissioners Starin and Smith
and Mayor Van Wyck
There was a good deal of speculation last
night over the authorship Of the resolution TAX
ing the permit giving away from Commissioner
heaung. When Controller Coler was seen he
refused 20 discuss the matter further than to
say that the Board undoubtedly had the right
under the law TO grant the necessary permits
Tor the prosecution of the work
Work MAJ begin the Rapid Transit Rail-
road on Monday.