New-York tribune., 1901-03-28
A. l.. JOHNSON ASKS TO BID
PENNSYLVANIA ROAD ALSO LIKELY TO
MAKE OFFER TO BUILD SOUTH
BROOKLYN TUNNEL.

Albert L. Johnson. the railroad contractor. last
night sent Alexander F, Orr, president of the
Rapid Transit Commission, formal request for
an opportunity to hid on the construction of the
proposed South Brooklyn Richmond tunnel. 1t
was learned yesterday that President Orr and
Controller Coler are determined to take Mr..
Johnson at his word. assuming that he is acting
in perfect good faith
The feeling is growing that. whatever the out
come of Mr.. Johnson's application. he may he an
instrument through which the city will get built
at early day extremely valuable extension
to the rapid transit system now under construc-
ton.
In railroad circles it is thought that the
Pennsylvania Railroad viii be bidder for the
tunnel along with Mr. Johnson. The Penn
syvana system now dominates the Long Island
Railroad. When President Baldwin was asked
yesterday If the Pennsylvania would pay any
attention to Mr.. Johnson's railroad plans he
said, Il don't believe il will"
When asked a moment later. however. If the
Pennsylvania would fight Mr.. Johnson II he at
tempted 10 parallel the Pennsylvania's tracks
between here and Philadelphia Mr.. Baldwin.
who was in something of a hurry. said. II don t
know. but I should think they would
Neither Mr.. Johnson nor his lawyer. Samuel
B. Clarke of No. 100 Broadway will be at the
meeting Of the Rapid Transit Commission to-
day. Mr.. Johnson went to Cleveland yesterday.
At his Office it said that his letter TO Presi-
dent Orr would cover all he wished to say.
Before leaving town MIR. Johnson dictated a
statement for publication which. in part. is as
follows
A three cent fare might be impracticable for
Mr. Nreeland on his Metropolitan system for
Mr. Greatsinger his Brooklyn Rapid Transit
system. because each Of them has enormous
fixed charges in the form Of stocks and bonds to
look after But If with those heavy fixed
charges five cent fare is feasible would not
a lower fare than five cents prove profitable IL
the greater part Of these fixed charges we're
eliminated? l have found repeatedly that by
cutting fares in half the increased receipts at
least offset the comparatively slight increase in
operating expenses.
This should answer Mr.. Boardman of counsel
for the Rapid Transit Commission. who is re-
ported in The Tribune this morning as being
unable to understand why | should offer a three
cent fare when l get five. / contend that
with the kind of management I am able TO sup
ply, can make as much profit for my company
If not more, at three cent fare than at a five
cent fare: whereas, there can be no doubt which
fare the people who ride in New York City
would prefer. l believe that if the present
railroads-surface or eIevated--will reduce their
fares they will increase their business more than
proportonately. Notwithstanding their mass of
fixed charges.
for the Manhattan Brooklyn Richmond tunnel
shall be glad to exchange transfers with MI
McDonalu s Manhattan Bronx system Or, bet
ter stlll, snail be glad TO exchange through
trains with their crews. through trains each
company manning the cars with its own men
when its own territory. This kind of an ar
rangement would give passengers all the ad-
vantage of through communication without
changing cars and extra charge. Those who he
gan my system would pay three cents in fare
and those beginning on Mr. McDonald's system
would pay five cent fare. II is my desire TO
enlist the cooperation of the mass of the neonle
in my tunnel plan. l shall guarantee a tbree
cent fare. and that will benefit all users of the
system. want also TO interest all landowners
in the Boroughs OF Brooklyn and Richmond who
will be benefited by the lines | propose and 7
want TO ask them 10 give free to the city all
necessary rights of way for this railroad so that
the citys credit shall be burdened to the least
possible extent in consequence of this great pub
lie Improvement.