New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-06
PENNSYLVANIA GETS L. /.


increasing Of the traffic facilities and terminals
of the Long Island Railroad in Brooklyn. and
bringing the physical condition of that property
as nearly may be up to the standard OF the
Pennsylvania system.
1t is reported that. following the change OF
control of the Long Island system, the plan may
be revived which was put forward last sum-
mer by Long Island Railroad Company interests
when they organized the NewYork and Long
Island Terminal Company. The plans of that
company contemplated it will be remembered,
the construction of railway tunnel from the
present terminus, in Brooklyn, of the Long ISL
and road, at Flatbush and Atlantic aves, down
Flatbush-ave., Futon-st. and Pineapple-st. to
the East River, thence under the river to Maiden
Lane, in this borough, and under Maiden Lane
and Cortlandt-st. to the Sixth and Ninth ave
stations of the Manhattan Railway Company.
with probable further extension to the Penn
sylvana station in Jersey City.
CONDITION OF THE LONG ISLAND.
1t is we'll known among railroad men that the
Long Island Railroad has valuable terminals
and potential privileges, but that its physical
condition is far from perfect. although great
deal of Improvement has been effected by Presi-
dent Baldwin It's rolling stock is not of the
best, and it's tracks, in the opinion of railroad
men, could be made much better Some OF Its
stations are In good shape and others are not.
With the discipline and system of the Pennsyi-
vana company and the grade of rolling stock
and equipment that this road is in the habit of
using, it is believed that in short time Won
derful transformation could be wrought In the
Long Islands condition.
Too much stress cannot be placed upon the
acquisition Of this property by the Pennsylvania.
The plans under way are of the most important
kind and while it will take years to effect them,
it is said that everything has been carefully
ak full decided
upon only after mature thought.
The eastern end of Long Island has often been
referred to a peculiarly favorable location for
the construction of piers for ocean going steam
ers. and by establishing ocean terminals at Mon
tauk Point, for example much time would be
saved in the trip between New-1ork and Eu-
rope. Indeed, it MIR. Corbin's idea that the
passage could be made in four days 1t is said
that the Pennsylvania had this subject in mind
in acquiring the Long Island Railroad. The close
relationship between the Pennsylvania Railroad
and the American Line of steamships is well
known.
I: is not too much to say that the Pennsyl-
vana interests practically own the American
Line and the Red Star Line. With quick traffic
facilities Long Island. it is not improbable
that these ocean steamship companies might
abandon some of the costly piers on the North
River and land passengers and freight out at
MOntauk Point or some other convenient steam
ship terminal on Long Island, whence the pas
sengers and freight could be swiftly carried to
their destinations by modern, we'll equipped and
especially prepared trains With the road placed
and with tunnels under the East and North
rivers it would not take long for the Pennsyl
vania company to rush steamship passengers
into New-York or Jersey City, where they could
transfer to local transportation vehicles for
points to which they wished to go.
1t is believed that eventually an enormous
traffic of this kind could be built up out on Long
Island, and that important ocean piers will be
erected out there.
1t is known that the New-York Central is not
all injured by this stroke of the Pennsylvania.
The purchase was made upon much the same
q no
been made. and the New-York Central will be
allowed become interested in the property if it
so desires It may be remembered that the late
Austin Corbn and the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company at one time considered plan by which
the Pennsylvania should acquire the Long
Island.
MAY GET A NETWORK TERMINAL.
The Vanderbilt lines have always profted
greatly by the fact that the terminal of the
New-YorB Central was in New-York City and
not in Jersey City. The Pennsylvania the ter
ranals of which are in Jersey City. has striven
to overcome this handicap by establishing a
finely equipped ferry service between Jersey
City and Cortlandt. Desbrosses and Twenty
third SITS, in this city; but the disadvantage
still exists in some degree 1t is believed
that the Pennsylvania will promote the con-
struction of tunnel under the North River
which will give it a station somewhere in New
York. and then branch off by tunnel under the
East River to Brooklyn, where it will have elab-
crate stations and terminals. Facilities
furnished by the Long Island Railroad are large
and permit of expansion. The company has
large front and station at Long Island
City, in Queens Borough, and also at Bay Ridge
in Brooklyn. 1t has valuable water fronts and
trackage rights which could be greatly expand
ed for freight purposes, and of course has an
absolute monopoly of traffic from Jamaica to
Montauk Point.
Charles NJ. Pratt. vice-president of the Long
Island Railroad Company, and one of the largest
stockholders. when asked to comment upon the
purchase by the Pennsylvania of control of the
Long Island. replied:
You will have to ask President Baldwin
about that He is the man to talk about it. 1
have nothing whatever TO say about it,
George w. Young was out of town Yesterday
Lewis c. Ledyard could not be seen at his office
1t is announced that President Baldwin Will
sail this week the North German Lloyd
steamship Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. He is
going to London where he will spend a week
studying the underground railway there.
The Long Island Railroad Company operates
practically all the steam surface roads on Long
Island, the total length of the system being 4O3
miles. The main lines are: From Long Island
City Greenport, "a. ~ miles; Bushwick to Sag
Harbor 1896 miles, and Long Island City to
Great Neck the North Shore, 13-5S miles The
company also owns twelve branch lines aggre-
eating 1905 miles in length. II leases seven
lines, of the total mileage of 93S3, and also con-
Beach 1873 miles and the Prospect Park and
Coney Island 80 miles. The company was
chartered on April "a 1884, and its main line,
then extending from Jamaica to Greenport. was
opened for traffic July 10. 1874 The late
Austin Corbn who for many years presi-
dent of the road. was a large holder Of its
stock, and after his death the COrhin estate
holdings, part all of the holdings OF the
Charles Pratt estate and other blocks Of stock,
aggregating S6,030,O00, a majority of the ST.
100000 capital, were purchased by syndicate
and deposited, under voting trust agreement
dated February l. 1891 with the United States
Mortgage and Trust Company, the voting power
for five years being vested in five trustees. The
trust may, however be terminated before Febru-
l, 1902. by vote of the trustees The directors