New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-07
MR.. BREENAN's BRIDGE BIM.
STATE TO sUPERINTEND THE ENTERPRISE
NETWORK TO PAY THE COST.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnIBusE.l

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Albany, Feb. s-what is regarded by the Demo-
cratic members from New-York City as one or the
most Objectionable bills the calendar of the AS
sembly was ordered to a third reading by the As
sembiy to-day: apparently pushed along by the Re-
publican organization.
The bill grossly invades the "home rule rights
of New-York City in the opinion of the Demo
cratic members. because 1t imposes State Com
mission upon the city OF New-York for the con-
struction of bridges across the East River or
tunnels beneath that river. The act empowers
Governor Roosevelt to appoint six citizens of
New-York a commission for the purpose of con-
structing, 'as agents of the State, permanent
suspension bridges the East River and a
tunnel or tunnels between the boroughs OF the city
of New-York." The commissioners to be
known 1.-The Bridge and Tunnel Commissioners
of the City of New-York." The State Is to have
charge of the enterprise, but New-York City is to
pay the bills.
STREET RAILROADS TO CROSS 1T.
Apparently the design is to have street railways
cross this bridge. because IT says:
Such bridge, when completed. shall be public
passengers.
Then Mr.. Brennan has grand tunnel scheme.
The bill says:
The Commission provided for In Section of this
act shall forthwith proceed to prepare a plan for
permanent tunnel between some convenient and
eIlglole point In the Borough of Manhattan be-
tween n,, Whitehall and waM SITS. and Convenient
tween Atlantic ana Hamilton ayes Such tunnel
to be of sufficient size to admit of the construction
than four railroad tracks of standard gauge and
said boTou feps IS at a ne sern OF such tunnel 20 IN
ana convenient operation.
The city of New-York is also to pay the ex
pense OF the construction of the tunnel. this
does not end the authority conferred by the act
Another bridge the East River and still
other tunnel are TO be constructed, If the money
Of the city of New-York holds out. The says
The Commission provided for in this act is also
River between the boroughs of Manhattan and
Queens between the two ends of Blackwell's Isl.
the Borough Of BroofyR and point at or near
Clifton. in the Borough of Richmond.
OLD COMMISSIONERS oUsTED.
Apparently, existing bridge commissions and tun-
mel commissions of the city of New-York elmi-
mated by the act. for 1t declares:
Al plans specifications, moneys or other prop,
city of New-York providing for the erection OF
city of New-York shall be turned by the said
authorities to the Commission provided for in Sec
ton of this act
and Mr.. Tralnor moved that 1T be recommitted to
the Committee Cities. alleging that the city OF
New-York had not yet been heard on the bill
Mr. Brennan answered that ample opportunity
for discussion had been afforded at the hearing
He said the Corporation Counsel had been there
the time.
Mr.. Trairor. of New-York took exception to the
remarks of Mr. Brennan by saying that he had
learned from a representative of the Corporation
Counsel that the latter had had no chance what
ever TO appear at the hearing on the bill.
Mr. Gale and Mr.. Wissel, of Queens County, also
attacked the bill They saiu that the haste mani
tested in the attempts of certain members of the
majority to force the bill to third reading was
| undue and fraught with great danger to the city
of New-York. They asked for another hearing on
the bill.
MR.. GREEN SPEAKS.
Mr. Green of New-York, afforded diversion by
saying that he knew Mr.. Brennan was in
| earnest heretofore. He added:
Everybody thought Mr. Brennan was having a
| him. For this reason, perhaps. the municipal au-
thorities who raise such serious objections this
measure dill appear at the hearing. They
never dreamed that II would survive the committee
! an invasion of home rule; it menaces the stability
city charter and ii is threat to the rights
| of the East River Bridge Commissioners
| Mr. Brennan suggested that IL anybody wanted
to object the BILL opportunity would be granted
| in the Senate when it was sent to the Mayor
| for his signature
Mr. Trainor objected still more strenuously to
the advancement of the bill to third reading, but
finding that the Republican majority would not give
way he said that he would accede TO the bills adj
| vancement if it also sent back to the commit
tee. This compromise finally agreed upon by
| both sides of the House.
A hearing the bill will accordingly be given
| before the Committee on Taxation and Retrench-
| ment next Tuesday.