New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-27
TO EXTEND THE TUNNEL.
INQUIRY AS TO A BRANCH TO BROOKLYN
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD ALSO ASKS BOARI
OF ESTIMATE FOR ISSUE OF FULL
AMOUNT OF BONDS

Resolved, That the chief engineer inyes-
tigute and report to this Board his opinion
as 10 the practicabiIity and cost of Rn ex-
tension of the rapid transit railroad from
the City Hall to the South Ferry, and thence
under the East River to the borough of
brooklyn; and for the purposes of such in
Nestigation the chief engineer may employ
assistants and incur expense, subject To the
approval of the president of the Board, to
an amount not exceeding $4,000.
BY unanimously adopting the foregoing resolu-
tion yesterday at their first meeting after the
signing Of the S35,O00000 contract with John B.
Mcdonald, the Rapid Transit Commissioners
gave evidence Controller Coler said, that
they do not now intend to rest upon their oars
satisfied with their great achievement. but are
fully alive to the transit requirements of the
other boroughs of the city and confident of their
authority to attend to them.
The Board gave other proofs of it's alertness
yesterday when it passed one resolution making
requisition upon the Board of Estimate for the
authorization of the full amount of corporate
stock Of the city of NewYork sufficient to pay
the entire estimated expense" of the road, which
is S36,50O,000, and another informing Mr.. Nc
Donald that it expected him to begin con-
struction of each and all of the four sections of
the road within thirty days from the signing of
the contract. These thirty days will expire on
March 26 but Mr.. Mcdonald says he can make
Celebration Committee wants him to.
The sum of S36 900 600 is made up by adding to
Mr.. McDonald's contract price of $50, 100000 the
further of 81 100000 for terminals and $780,
600 for real estate which must be condemned.
These items provided for in the contract. By
promptly calling the Board of Estimate for
stock for the entire amount, the S36, 800 900 be-
comes a debt against the CITY, and the addition
of any other sums which would exceed the city,
debt mourning capacity is thus prohibited. The
tunnel road, therefore. is safe from those bridge
building schemers who hoped to shut 1t out by
getting their appropriations in ahead 1t is ex-
pected that premiums the sale of this stock
will reduce the actual cost to the city by
So, ,OOOO 600 or $4.OO0,O0O.
The committee which has in charge the or
ganization of the staff of Chief Engineer Par
sons was not ready TO make full report 1t,
however, recommended the appointment of
George S. Rice deputy chief engineer at a
salary of $1,000 the chief engineer. w. B. Par
sons. drawing $4,000. The appointment was
made and rooms were leased on the tenth fiooI
of No. 320 Broadway for Mr.. Parsons's staff, at
a rental of $4,000. The Boards offices in the
same building are leased for $1,000 year. Mr..
Rice is a Boston engineer, a graduate of Har-
ward, and has at times been retained by the
Aqueduct Commission Of this city, by Mr.. Par
sons in the preliminary work of this tunnel rail-
road, by the Baltimore authorities to inspect Mr..
McDonaId' work on the sras7 railway tunnel he
constructed there, by the Boston Rapid Transit
Board and by Controller Coler TO examine the
Ramapo watershed.
The Joint committee of the Municipal Assem-
bly, having in charge the ceremony which VII!
attend the first stroke of the pick on the great
tunnel called on the Rapid Transit Board yes
terday to learn if the Commissioners wished to
unite in the celebration. The Commissioners
said they had not time to- undertake 1t, but II
others had the Board would be quite willing to
attend It as guests of the ceebrators.
It was decided by the Municipal Assembly to
draw up a joint resolution. which will be intro
duced in both bodies of the Municipal Assem-
bly, AS both the Mayor and Controller approve
it will proba bly, be passed. This resolution will
be to the effect that on the day of breaking
ground half holiday shall be granted to the
public speeches shall be made, bands shall play
and Mayor Van Wyck shall lift the first spadetul
of earth. The first ground Will be proken' prop
ably, in City Hall Park. ,,
Yesterday to report progress tomorrow upon lts
consideration of the application OF the Long
Island Railroad people for a tunnel under the
East River and on Friday Will hold a JOINT meet
ing with the Aldermen'S committee, TO take III d
action Chairman Oakley says that the CounCl
committees report will favor the granting OF the
franchise but will attach conditions prompting
the company from carrying freight or putting IL
conduits which could be Leased 10 otner con II
Germs 1t is thought these conditions will not be
accepted. Mr. Baldwin, president or the LONG
Island Railroad Company, said yesterday thd'
If the Municipal Assembly would not grant tne
franchise he would apply to the Rapid IrahsH
Board for it.