The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-23
RAPID TRANSIT AFFAIRS.
a DELEGATION GOES TO ALBANf
FOR FUR rHER LEGISLAIJON.

Corporation Counsel whnlen Thinks There
IL No Necessity for It-Comptrollsr Csler
says tho Labor Laws Are to lie Observed
In Tunnel Work Plans for River Tunnels.
Comptroller Coler. George J.. Rives and Al.
bert b. Boardman. representing the Rapid
Transit Railroa! Commission, will 90 to Al.
bany to-day for the purpose OF urging the Leg
islaturc 10 pass the bill prepared last week
amending the New York city charter In such
a way as to make II a certainty that the char
ter will not conflict with the entire co%ntrolover
bonds TO be issued for building the rapid tran
sit railroad. which was conferred on the Rapid
Transit Railroad Commission by the Rapid
Transit act Of 1901 and tho amendments to 1t.
II Is not expected TINT the bill will meet with
any opposition. as II Is not intended that IL
shall change tho law In any respect. but merely
renove any uncertainties which might now
be construed to exist because OF the provisions
OF the charter. which make bond issues subject
to the acts OF the Municipal Assembly.
Corporation Counsel Whalen said yesterday
that as far as he could see the proposed legis-
latlon was unnecessary. as there Is a special
provision In the charter to preserve all the
rights OF the Rapid Transit Railroad Commis-
sion as these existed at the time OF the passage
Of the charter. aud he expressed q fear that
the proposed act might really add compllca-
| tons to the situation. He said that he had not
had time TO look w the situation. but would
do so. and in the meantime would send word TO
his representative OF Albany. ex-senator
Thomas Creamcr, to look carefully into the
possible effects OF the bill.
Mr.. Colsr said that his absence for a day
from his office could not make any difference
regarding the acceptance OF Contractor
McDonald's $5,OOO,000 bond or : $1,000. 900
deposit, should either be offered during the
day. Mr.. Levey. he said, had power to act for
him In the matter and was fully Informed 70.
gardiug rapid transit matters. Mr.. Mcdonald
will probably not be ready 10 Ge HIS bonds
and execute the contract before the Comp
troller returns, although Yesterday he was
his downtown ONCE and during the AFTERNOON
he made several visits to banks. He seemed
smiling ard comfortable, but said that he had
Alexander i. Orr. President OF the Commits
sion. said Yesterday that the rapid extension of
the road 10 south Ferry aud to South Brooklyn
tract was executed and work under it was
under way, We would naed to get the con.
sents Of the various city degartments,n he
us 10 20. under Battery Park prevented this
section being taken up with the other Sec
lions" ,
tOWptTOller IoleT salu )rstetudN tnat, nc hdu
seen It reported in some newspapers that. in
view OF the great amount Of labor that would
be needed in building the tunnel road,
thousands OF laOorers were Il. be Imported
from furone. Il wish II 10 be distinctly M.
derstooi." he said. In commenting upon this.
that oil the labor Avs are to be observed by
tho contractors on this work. Asl understand
these. they would prevent the employment OF
any laborers who are not citizens OF the
country
President Baldwin OF the Long Island Rail.
road said yesterday, that his company's plan
street. BROOKLYN. might be favorably acted
upon BY. the Municipal Assembly, in, time for
work 10 be begun upon the tunnel about the
sam time that Mr.. Mcdonald, begins Ia
earnest on the RAPID transit worF, We az.
Peet e know BY, Feb, 10" Nj Baldwin said.
should 1t be, and the pressure OF public
opinion. especially from Brooklyn. where II is
Overwhelming. seems to Insure favorable and
prompt action. wo would be prepared 70 90 10
work at once. Our plans are as complete as
those for the tunnel OF the commission, and We
are prepared 20 place 1900 men at the excava-
tons and In the Atlantic avenue improve
ment."
Arthur c. Hume. who represents the Ter.
minal Railroad and Tunnel Com pany, ga. d yes.
terday that the company had completed plans
for extensions under both the East River and
the Hudson and that these would be laid be-
fore the Rapid Transit Commission az its ney.
meeting. The plans. he said. did not need the
approval OF tho Commission, but the company
would value such approval and The cooperation
OF tho Commission uecaus. " tunne,s would
be virtually extensons OF the rapid tran sit
system.
A resolution will be introduced in the Board
OF Aldermen to-day pledgiGg that body to ap-
prove all requisitions for bond issues for the
rapid transit road when they are presented.