New-York tribune., 1901-10-12
MARTIN NAY OPPOSE PLAN.
HE INTIMATES THAT HE WILL SUGGEST
SCHEME OF HIS OWN TO RE- &.
LIEVE BRIDGE.

Even before any official action has been taken
on the report of Commissioner Shea's bridge ex-
perts. which proposes. among other things, 10 re-
lieve the congestion at the Manhattan end Of the
Brooklyn Bridge by means of elevated railroads.
the plan is meeting opposition all along the lines
of the proposed structures. Business men in Cen
tre-st. where of the elevated lines is pro-
jected are practically unanimous in saying that
they are opposed to having an elevated railroad
laundering past their places Of business, darken-
ing their stores and offices and interfering with the
easy handling Of their trucks and wagons. Com
missioner Shea has not presented the report to
Chief Engineer Martin, but there is likelihood
that when it is received and examined by the
bridge engineers many faults will be found in it
We have been asleep all these years." said
Mr.. Martin yesterday. Perhaps We have some
plans Of our own. Quite naturally, We have studied
the condition of affairs the bridge and given a.
great deal Of thought to methods by which the
crowding can be done away with. When we receive
the report from Mr.. Shea will get at 1t at once
and not more than day or two will pass before
we VIII be ready make report to him OF
course, until that time l cannot say whether or not
we shall approve what is suggested. l am chief
engineer OF the Brooklyn Bridge, but II has never
occurred to me TO be chief engineer of a New-York
elevated railroad. That is something that has
never been presented to me, but which appears to
be included in the report of the experts. However,
shall know about it when our experts
have got the report
This indicates that the engineers connected with
the bridge are favorably disposed toward the
scheme for elevated roads.
Abram S. Hewitt who has given considerable
| study to the overcrowding at the Manhattan emu
of the bridge, said the whole thing was an engln-
eering problem.
| 81 do not know said Mr.. Hewitt, whether or
not the plan for an elevated railroad in Park ROW
| is feasible The idea of distribution Is all right
| 1t is necessary TO scatter the people who embark
| on the Manhattan end of the bridge: but do not
know whether the report has included in it 1.-THE the
| on it TO the Chamber of Commerce, Hohd en-
| gage an engineer and have him count the people
| trolley cars and then make figures 10 see whether
| or not an elevated structure would seriously i'm
pede the traffic. Without such guide would not
| know whether the street could stand the eHecu-
| ton Of such a plan. | know that Park Row Is
| crowded. but only engineers can say Whether or
not II is too crowded for such addition to be a
| benefit a hndrance. am in favor OF tunheis'
| but tunnels take time to build
| When Mr. HeWitt's attention was called TO Con
completed before the experts plans for relief could
| be executed, he stlll said it was an engineering
| problem. .s.o
in Cenre-st There is enough traffic in this street
now, and If obstruction he placed in the thor-
| oughfare II will make matters worse l do not
know how il would be with others. but for my part
| / should be obliged move. An elevated railroad
| would reduce rents all along the street;
| the new Hall of Records. on which the city Is
spending lots of money There is the new front or
the Tornbs, which is 10 be magnihcent-if ram
many ever does finish it-and the Criminal Courts
Building. Are these to be hidden from sight by the
homey and unpleasant elevated structure? New
| cannot afford hide what il has
way at Rose-st.. but they fail to see where it
| tance would have to be covered before they could
reach the cars.