New-York tribune., 1900-03-10
NEW FEATURE OF TUNNEL.
oov,fTssION PLANS TO BUILD CALLER
,rS FOR PIPES WITH THE UNDER
GROUND ROAD.

..s meeting Of the Rapid Transit Commission
...sterday a resolution Was adopted to the effect
-. the chief engineer be instructed to prepare
Inmate Of the cost of construction of pipe
uories alongside under the rapid transit
froad from the PostoffiCe to Thirtythird-st."
This motion was made by Controller COler. and
:. the end of the meeting he explained TO the
.iti~g reporters that the galleries could he con-
.,ructed for S60O000 if they were put in at the
,e time that the excavations for the tunnel
rere being dug. Eut it would take millions, he
oid 70 build the galleries independently of the
.unneI Nh CoIer said he thought that suf-
Acent rentals would be obtained from the gal
Isres within a year tc pay for their cost. The
Commission has no power TO authorize the build
ing OF the galleries. That initiative rests with
the municipal government. but il is thought
that In view Of the great advantages and public
convenience which would come from system of
pipe galleries the city authorities would not in
any way oppose the plan
CHIEF ENGINEER PARSONS'S VIEWS.
In commenting upon the subject William Bar
clay Parsons, the chief engineer OF the Board,
said yesterday. quoted. that the galleries as
contemplated would he about eight feet wide
and could go any depth necessary
"An pipes and conduts'' he said already in
the streets or any number which might be con-
sructed in the future. could he accommodated
there They would he so easily accessible for
repairs or for the construction of new pipes or
conduts that their superiority over present
methods and their feasibility admit of no dis
custom The benefit to property owners in hav-
ing street that would not have to be torn UP
again is manifest"
Alexander i. orr. president of the Commits
sion. speaking upon the subject. said:
There IS no doubt Of both the feasibility and de-
STABILITY of the plan and now is the best time for
municipai AFFAIR and n3t one rder he f5rie{i gilE
ton OF the Board under its present powers. When
s&eNo'9 estimate, was disapproved by the Supreme
Court. the Commission turned TO the Em-st. route
and made up its estimates without including the
cost of The pipe galleries.
But should the city authorities adopt the plan
great benefits would accrue. As distinct bust
ness proposition substantial profits in leases and
rentals would follow. and furthermore. the tearing
galleries would stop.
At its meeting yesterday the Board instructed
its counsel to draft bill for submission to the
legislature authorizing the Commission to ac-
cept deposit Of $1000.000 in cash in place of a
fifty year continuing bond in the same amount
Perry Belmont has already lodged 81 100000
worth Of securities with the Controller and the
effect of the proposed bill will be to relieve him
Of the continuing bond which he entered into
for the operation of the road
The counsel were also instructed to prepare
IL
hility Of dispute the Jurisdiction of the Board
I" extend the rapid transit system to all parts
az the enlarged city. The Board is of the
opinion that il already possesses this power
hut as the extension would mean crossing navi-
gable rivers. it was thought wiser to make
surance douby sure by obtaining the speciiic
sanction of the Legislature.
II IS understood that in this proposed bill Is
10 he found the reason for the withdrawal by
William H Baldwin, jr.. president of the Long
Island Railroad Company of the application
70 the Municipal Assembly for a franchise to
construct tunnel under the East River. 1t is
heleved that when Mr.. Baldwin again applies
for a franchise it Will be to the Rapid Transit
Commission.
COMMISSIONS APPOINTMENTS.
The Commissions Committee on Organization
rnents: Albert Carr. engineer of the first di-
vision, from City Hall to Forty-second-s at
salary OF $500 year, beginning March -;
e. ". Hendricks engineer of the sewer divi-
sons salary $1,000 beginning March -: NJ. J.
Farrell private secretary to Chief Engineer
Parsons. salary 81 500 a year, beginning
March l.
There was also a general report offered in re-
rules and those not. The following positions
will be exempt from the city Civil Service rules.
with the approval Of the State Civil Service
Board: One deputy chief engineer. six division
engineers. three general inspectors one private
secretary. auditor and one skilled phOtog-
rapher. The following will be competitive po-
sitions: Senior assistant engineers, assistant en-
gneers, transit men, Jewelers. rOdmen, aXemen,
Inspectors Of steel, cement testers inspectors of
steel erection and Of masonry erection, chief
oraughtsmen. accountants, stenographerS and
messengers.