New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-10
PLEAS FOR THE TUNNEL.
HARLEM AND BRONX RESIDENTS BE.
FORE THE COMMISSION.
MR.. CoLER's EAST RIVER TUNNEL PLAN
REFERRED TO THE COUNSEL
OF THE BOARD

various associations of taxpayers of Harlem ana
|. The Bronx borough appeared before the Board
of Rapid Transit Commissioners yesterday TO
urge the claims of their respective districts to
immediate consideration. and also vehemently
to oppose the tunnel scheme of Controller Coler
| because they were all convinced that the Con-
troller's design was to get the Commission to
let out contract for the tunnel to South Brook
lyn before the upper sections of the Manhattan
tunnel completed. But Mr.. Coler and the
Commissioners took all the wind out of these
delegates sails by declaring positively, solemnly
emphaticaly and repeatedly that they had not
the slightest intention in the world to alter the
form of contract already approved by Corpora
ton Counsel Whalen, and that not a single step
would be taken regarding the tunnel project
which would delay or postpone for one moment
the completion Of the proposed rapid transit
underground road in Manhattan and The Bronx
CAME TO PROTEST; STAYED TO PRAISE.
The solemn assurance seemed to put the up
| town delegates in extremely good humor, and
their orators who had come to protest remained
to praise All were heard by the Commission,
each speaker being confined to ten minutes. In
stead of arguments in opposition TO Mr.. Coler's
plan, they presented the reasons now familiar
why all sections of the road should be begun
simultaneously if possible. A few urged that
the uptown sections should be begun first. Here
are the speakers: Walter Stabler, for the West
End Association. ex-senator Charles L. Guy, for
the William L. Marcy Tammany Association;
Newell Martin, for the Washington Heights
Taxpayers Association; James L. Wells, for the
North Side Board Of Trade; Justice Francis J.
! Worcester, for the Liberal Republican Club;
William A. Brown. for the Harlem Board Of
Commerce; H. H. Brown, for the Kingsbridge
Improvement Association H. J. Rottman, for
the German-American Democratic. Club; General
Michael J. Kerwin, for the Sterling Republican
Club; Christian Thinks, for the Washington
| Heights Progressive Association; Richard Alex
ander, for the Marble Hill Taxpayers Associa-
ton. The Minqua Club, the Manhattan Repubu-
can Club, the Heights Club of St Nicholas ave,
the Central Republican Club. the Taxpayers
Alliance of the Borough of The Bronx the Har-
lem Club, the Harlem Republican Club and the
Columbia Club also had representatives.
Ludwi Nissen. Charles n. Chadwick and
William McCarrol spoke for the Manufacturers
Association of New York, which is composed of
Brooklyn men. They naturally favored the Con-
troller's plan.
When they had all spoken President Orr said:
have beer. gratihed that you have come here,
the rapid transit problem. We hope to make
the tunnel success and will c9mmenGe work as as
member that we have opened & No bids b,5t as ye5 w
do anything until bids are sent in. As soon as
the contracts opened, hat Is, if they come In
will go right on with the work 9f awaT,dnGg and t;
tAe supreme Court
The delegation then filed out of the room and
went TO the Mayors Office but Mayor Van Wyck
had gone home. They left word that they would
come back on Friday and present their views to
him.
MR.. COLER's RESOLUTION.
After the room was cleared the Commissioners
held the executive session which had been called
al
Ter to present his tunnel scheme. Mr.. Coler
presented the following resolution:
imeGsteiy after the execution Of the contract for
constructing the underground road according to
pellatc Division of the Supreme Court an extension
terminus as at present located, southwark under
broadway and Whitehall-st. TO the southerly end
tunnel or tunnels should also be considered un;
der the waters Of the East & aiy@r Sonne9Lns saq
at the fpd % fo@nd of 6 b most Gshef point
In support Of his resolution Mr.. Coler said:
MY object in offering this resolution is not to
hamper, obstruct or delay any way the construc-
ton the underground road as at present planned
not have offered it. but, on the contrary. my beler
IS tnat such a decIardI!on Oh sal9
upon the competitive bidding to be expected for the
line to he constructed under the backbone OF Man
haitian Island is recognized as a great artery OF
senger traffic Of Harlem and The Bronx but also
the equally large travel from that portion of Brook
are in opposite directions it must also be recog-
nized by intending bidders that a franchise is
offered for sale twice valuable originally con-
templated. and perhaps the most valuable that has
ever been offered by any municipality.
If l am right in this assumption. It seems TO me
that the interests of the city OF New-York can
only be benefited by declaration of the policy OF
this Board made prior the letting of the contract
on January 10 since notice is thereby served upon
all intending bidders Of the gr sat possbilities Of
this franchise and of the intention OF this Board
TO realize such possibilities. far lies within its
power BY so doing the city will reap the benefit
Of the most active competition 1t is my own be-
lief that soon this road is built with this
connection to South Brooklyn, the city should
soon as possible provide for the radiating connec
Facilities throughout South Brooklyn These two
developments should, If possible be undertaken
simultaneously.
The Commission referred the resolution to its
counsel and will adopt it If counsel say 1t has
power to do so. Mr.. Shepard, of Parsons, Shep-
ard & ogden, one OF the Boards counsel. has
already said he had doubt that the Boards
power extended over every borough in the city.
After the meeting the Controller told a Tribune
reporter that he had doubt the Board would
adopt his resolution, President Orr said the
extension OF the system to Brooklyn was sure to
come but he preferred doing one thing at a
time Charles Stewart Smith said the Mayor
and MIR. Whalen were both with the Commission
in their desire to have the whole of the Manhat-
tan and The Bronx rapid transit road completed
as soon possible
BRONX NOT UNDULY ELATED.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION NOT
1ruETy To HURRY RAPID TRANSIT.