New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-05

TUNNEL TO BROOKLYN.
OPINION DIVIDED AS TO THE BEST
ROUTE FOR IT
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD HEARS ARGUMENTS
FROM REPRESENTATIVE RESIDENTS
OF THAT BOROUGH.

Strong differences of opinion exist among the
people OF Brooklyn to the best route for the
tunnel which the Rapid Transit Commissioners pur-
pose constructing between the Battery and some
point in that borough The Commissioners held
a meeting at No. 800 Broadway yesterday after
noon to hear representatives of the Brooklyn Com
mttee of Fifty, which wants the tunnel TO run
from the Battery to Joralemon-st.. Brooklyn. to
City Hall, to Fulton-st., to Flatbush-ave. and 10
Atlantic-ave. When the speakers who advocated
this route had finished their arguments, other
speakers got the floor and advanced such weighty
arguments why the tunnel should run from the
Battery to Hamilton-ave.. South Brooklyn, that
the Board much impressed by them, and APP
pointed next Thursday afternoon for a more formal
hearing of the South Brooklyn advocates and also
of delegates from Staten Island who wish to pre-
sent the claims of Richmond to tunnel connec-
ton with the rest of the city.
After the hearing Controller Coler declined to
say which route he favored, adding:
u, / have done all could to get a tunnel conneG-
ton for the Brooklyn people. Now let them settle
nght be found by putting the route up at ape d
could be procured from the company which must be
found to lease the tunnel and operate the road.
President Rossiter and Vice President Williams
of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company attended
the hearing. but took part In 1t. When asked
by a Tribune reporter which route they favored
for the tunnel Colonel Williams said the City Hall
plan would furnish rapid transit to more citizens
of Brooklyn than any other.
William McCarroll, chairman OF the Committee
of Fifty said his committee represented the whole
of Brooklyn. and submitted long list Of the
names of the committeeman and the organizat lions
they represented He then introduced Theodore l..
rockingham, chairman Of the subcommittee on
Tunnels, Bridges and Ferries. With the aid OF
street map of Brooklyn Mr.. rockingham indicated
the chief arteries of traffic in that borough. and
showed how the present facilities were inadequate.
saying In part:
Brooklyn citizens cross to Manhattan every year
100000 strong OF these. about 100000 900 cross
the Bridge. BY far the greater portion OF that
ates condition that results in almost complete
stoppage Of traffic at the rush hours Of the day. 4
tunnel would produce the desired result.
Ludwig Nissen and several other speakers in
dorsed the plan advocated by the Committee of
Fifty. and then Daniel Moynahan. president of the
West End Board of Trade. started the bail rolling
for a tunnel to South Brooklyn. and was followed
by Frederick {. Cocheu. of the Bay Ridge Citizens
Association. who showed by means of map how
Brooklyn would tap ali the surface roads leading
to South BROOKLYN and the part of the city lying
toward Coney Island and thus do more to relieve
ing tunnel to the city Hail, which he ar.
traffic toward that artery of travel instead of re-
ieyng it by creating another. as the Hamilton ave
President Alexander E. Orr .paid. close attention
70 Mr. Cocheu, and asked him if the people of
for the tunnel who would operate it and guarantee
the interest on the bonds issued. provided by
Yes. sir" responded Mr.. Cocheu We can find
amount that you may ask If you will appoint a
time VIII bring you assurances to that effect"
the Board that Responsible tenant stood ready to
lease and operate the tunnel 1t recommended. AS
to the Brooklyn terminus of the Long Island Rail-
road. that road. some deeply interested in it,
bers Of the Committee Of Fifty destined yesterdnv
to confirm deny this report.