New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-19

RAPID TRANSIT BOARD OPPOSES THE TUN-
MEL APPLICATION BEFORE STATE
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.

me Rapid Transit Commissioners do not regard
faVorably the numerous projects which are being
promoted by private capitalists for the building of
tunnel railroads similar to that devised by the
RAPID Transit Board. In the last few months In
cipient companies have been formed having for
their object the construction of tunnels under the
East River. AT the outset the members of the
Board stated that they would oppose the
schemes of these companies but from the attitude
taken yesterday by Albert b. Boardman of counsel
to the Commissioners, 1t is apparent that the Board
intends to avail itself to the fullest measure of the
bill which was recently passed by the Legislature
extending the Jurisdiction of the Commission over
the whole of the greater city. Moreover another
measure which the Mayor signed last week added
100000 TO the city's debt limit, and this sum- 1t
is we'll understood, will be devoted to connecting
the rapid transit road with Brooklyn by means Of a
tunnel under the East River
The Tribune has before pointed out how strongly
the Commissioners in favor Of this plan. and
1t was not surprising. therefore, that Mr. Board
man should have opposed the application made
yesterday to the State Railroad Commission
ers by the New-York and Brooklyn Union Trans
portation Company for the approval Of a tunnel
scheme evolved by that company. The hearing was
held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. and Mr.. Boardman.
in opposing the application. urged that inasmuch
the Rapid Transit Board hid arranged for a
system Of tunnels of a complex and intricate char
acter 1t would be wrong tc grant franchises for any
tunnel that might interfere with plans OF the
Rapid Transit Board.
Boardman left feeling satisfied that applica-
ton for a tunnel would be granted.
Frank NJ Glover appeared on behalf of the New
York and Brooklyn Union Transportation Company,
whose contemplated tunne extends from Canal
St, at the junction OF Sullivan, Varick and Canal
under Canal, Watts. West and Nestry SITS: back TO
Canal-st., to East Broadway, under II to Grand-st
to the East River, and thence to Broadway, Brook-
yn, under It Wythe-ave., South Eghth-st ana
Kent-ave., with branch tunnels at or near the
junction of East Broadway, Rutgers and Canai
SITS to go under Rutgers-st TO Rutgers slip, IN
Manhattan. Mr.. Glover was asked if he had oh,
tanned a franchise from the Municipal Council, and
answered in the negative He was told that the
State Railroad Commission could not entertain an
application for franchise until the Mun1Gpal As,
sernbly had approved of the scheme, When ms
had been done he assured by Colonel col Cole a
hearing would be accorded him. Harry H Han, or
the New-York and Brooklyn Railroad company,
Who appeared 10 oppose the franchise, left without
making any objections. The names appended 10 the
petition were George Wilson. president; j. F. wal
lace William. A Armstrong, Charles N DoWnes
n Glover Adrian H. Muller. John La Burt and
Albert L. Foulke. ,s IN Mon
The sub-contracts which were awarded on MOI
day for the building of eight sections or tne rapLu
transit road have not yet been signed nue II he
nected that the necessary legal fornahtes VIII De
Completed before tt end Of the Week ana tht az
mai work on the tunnel will be begun IN the nrst
OF next month.