New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-13
coLER ANSWERS BRONX COMPLAINTS
SAYS THEY HAVE GOT ALL THEY ASKED. AM
SHOULD STOP THEIR AGITATION

SAYS THEY HAVE GOT ALL IHEA A9NHN' 49,
SHOULD STOP THEIR AGITATION
About one hundred residents of Washington
Heights waited on Mayor Van Wyck yesterday 10
argue for the construction Of the northern sectoh
of the rapid transit road before contract Is iet
for tunnel South Brooklyn Corporation Couh-
sci Whalen accompanied the delegation II was
said that the delegation represented several or
ganzati in the Washington Heights district ana
the following presented as representing the
sentiment Of all:
We have seen it stated in the public prints that
the Controller has proposed the passage OF reso-
luton looking to the considering OF tunnel OF OF
the execution of the contract for constructing the
In View of the loud demand which has been made
before the Rapid Transit that 6ga
tuted" for the tunnels planned by the Commission
north of Ffty-ninth-st. we regard this form OF
do not believe that any 9ca To4 for GaDd
transit on this island and therefore We venture to
ask the Controller and all members OF the city gov
New-York by causing the policy Of the city In this
matter to be announced IN unmstaksoIe teI f
the building OF any tunnel 4naer the Ea ST. rsser
tons OF the road proposed by the Rapid Transit
We do not take the liberty of objecting to the
considering of any questions OF eonstruetion but
desirable to indicate by explicit resolutions that the
Rapid Transit Commissioners do not intend 70
countenance the construction OF any otnsr tunnels
until work has been actually begun on all FOUR sec
tons OF the railroad Whlch the commissioners
have already planned.
Mayor Van Wyck declared that there dis
position to retard the building OF the rapid transit
road THE Controller is the father OF the South
Brooklyn tunnel plan" the Mayor said. If you
can win him over there should be no difficulty"
II will say" said the Mayor a moment later
that no man In the room is more anxious 70 see
this scheme Of rapid transit consummated than
am Have you got any fears OF the Mayor"
There were cries of None" and the delegation
away.
In the course OF the discussion James l. Wells
said that the Controller mad deceived them by
telling them that he would favor rapid transit, and
then going to the meeting and putting IN reSo-
luton that would block It.
Read the resolution" said the Mayor.
When the resolution was READ, Inc mayor Salu'
II think you have done the Controller an injustice.
do not think that resolution means the blocking
of rapid transit"
the Rapid Transit Commissioners had seen light
and that the road would soon be a reality.
What will happen in the event or there being
no bids?" asked one OF the delegates
1--WE will that bridge when we come TO II,
said the Mayor.
Controller Coler said later:
l have no wish to interfere with the extension OF
the rapid transit road to Washington Heights. l
am in favor Of such extension. 1t might as well
be remembered that rapid transit has been made
possible at this time by the amendment 10 the
State Constitution separating the city and county
debts. That amendment was gained by persistent
effort on my part. When the amendment was be-
Counsel asking his aid 10 secure the passage OF
the amendment, and he ignored my suggestions.
want to have the rapid transit system continued
Brooklyn under one mana cement, anu tnat would
interfere with the northern extension or the
rapid transit road. On the contrary 1t would be
benefit TO the road
the LEGISLATURE separating the county from the
city debt, which would have accomplished the same