New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-23
BRIDGE BILL AMENDED.
BRENNAN's APPARENT PLAN TO GAIN
CONTROL OF CONSTRUCTION.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUsE.I


Albany Feb 22-Assemblyman Brennan's
Bridge bill must have some powerful supporters
in the ranks of the Plat organization that con-
trolls the Legislature. Otherwise its pathway
through the Legislature would not be so smooth
for IT, Doubtless an invitation to expend
S5OOOOOO0 of the money OF the taxpayers of
New-York, this bill provides. would be at
tractive to any political organization. and there
fore no wonder need be felt that the bill does
have such powerful support from Mr.. Aids. the
organization leader in the Assembly, and other
prominent organization Republicans.
To-day when the bill came up on the order
of third reading in the Assembly several
amendments. two at least of the highest i'm
portance. were submitted by Assemblyman
Brennan, and the committee directed to
report them favorably. One of these amend
ments rubs out the word suspension" before
the word bridges in the first section of the act
thus giving opportunity for the construction
of a bridge with piers. The act, it will be
membered. provides that Governor Roosevelt
shall appoint State Commission Of six persons
to build two bridges across the East River. one
to be constructed between Fulton Ferry and
the Navy Yard to the Borough of Manhattan.
and second bridge the East River at
BlackweIs Island. The Bridge Commission is
also to build tunnel, sufficiently large for a
four-track railway. beneath the East River
from some point in the Borough of Manhattan
between Whitehall and Wall SITS. and a con-
venient point in the Borough of Brooklyn be-
tween Atlantic and Hamilton ayes. Third. the
Commission is to build a tunnel between the
south end of the Borough of Brooklyn and
point at or near Clifton. in the Borough of Rich
mond
WHAT THE AMENDMENT MAY MEAN.
Another Of Mr.. Brennans important amend
ments to-day provides that lin any plan for a
bridge tunnel in the same localities in which
tunnel is provided for in this ac& which shall
have been prepared before February l. Of this
year. the cost shall not exceed the amount
estimated to be necessary by the local authori-
ties Of NewYork." This apparently gives a
sort Of pledge that the East River Bridge, which
is now under construction, shall not cost
than is now estimated. Or it may mean that
private tunnel, like that planned by the Long
Island Railroad, is to be acquired. This part of
the bridge bill amended, would then read as
follows
Sec. II. The Commission provided for in this
time as the bridge provided for in Section of this
act a oFidge over the East River between the BOF
ends of Blackwelrs Island. in accordance with the
method provided for in Sections g. 4, g. s, and
Of this act, and also tunnel between the south
end OF the Borough of Brooklyn and a point at or
near Clifton. in the Borough of Richmond. in ac-
cordance with the method provided for in Sections
and 10 of this act. All moneys required in their
construction shall be expended by the Commits
sion, provided for herein accordance with the
method prescribed in Sections and 10 of this act,
and the Controller shall issue corporate stock in
sufficient quantities to all the expenses of the
said Commission in connection with all Of the
bridges and tunnels herein provided for, except
that in no instance shall the cost OF any bridge or
tunnel exceed the amount estimated to be neces
sary in any plan for bridge tunnel in the same
in this act, which shall have been prepared before
the first day of February of this year by the local
authorities OF the city OF New YORK, and the Com
shall
rangements with railroad companies regarding the
of tunnels provided for in this act by the said
this act in relation to bridges.
Sec. u. All plans. specifications moneys other
properties now in the hands of the authorities of
the city of New York providing for the erection of
bridges and tunnels between the boroughs of the
city of New-York shall be turned by the said
authorities TO the Commission provided for in Sec
ton of this act.
TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL.
1t will be perceived that Section II clearly
provides that the present East River Bridge
Commission shall surrender all it's plans for the
construction Of the East River Bridge now under
construction to the Brennan State Bridge Com
mission. When Mr.. Brennan offered his amend
ments TO the bill he moved that they should be
submitted to the Committee on Commerce and
Navigation. of which he is chairman. and that
this committee should report them forthwith"
This meant that the committee should only in
a nominal way consider them. and that the AS
sembly would thus in indirect way accept
them.
Il hope" said Assemblyman McKeown. of
motion will not be adopted. Surely in view of
the important amendments just made to this
bill, hearing should be granted upon it"
The amendments are merely ones OF detail.'