New-York tribune., 1901-03-23
ATTACKS TRANSIT BOARD.
ALBERT L. ON-MAGNIFICESTLY
BUSY MAN IS HE.
MAKES GREAT OFFERS AT a HEARING ON
THE ROUTE FOR THE PROPOSED
TUNNEL TO BROOKLYN.

TUNNEL TO BROOKLYN.
Albert L. Johnson. the railroad contractor.
created the impression before the Council Commit
tee OF Railroads yesterday afternoon that he was
something Of a fighter, considerable Of a stump
speaker and rnagnificently busy man.
He denounced Edward NJ Shepard counsei TO
the Rapid Transit Commission, as a paid obstruc-
Zionist and enemy of the peoples interests IN
connection with securing real rapid transit, rid-
culed Alexander E. Orr, president of the commits
sion. and announced that If the council would give
him the requisite authority he would build W.
900 tunnel between the Battery and Staten Island
through South Brooklyn to connect with his s5o-
00o. 900 proposed Philadelphia York line, and
carry all passengers for cents. To make the
good he told Messrs Orr and the coun-
cllmen that he could solve the problem of conges-
tfon on the bridge within thirty days Just when
the spectators grew speechless with establishment
and admiration Mr.. Johnson grabbed his coat and
hat and rushed out of the chamber. saying:
And now you'll have to excuse me, gentlemen,
for I've engagement with several gentlemen on
important matter and I'm a minute or two late
already"
The councilmen hearing objections to the
route of the proposed rapid transit tunnel 10
brooklyn. and Mr. Orr said that yet the Cham
Der of Commerce committee. consisting Of ex-Mayor
Hewitt, ex-AIayor schieren and John Clalin. had
not been able do away with tho congestion.
That's about all commissions and committees
ever do investigate" said Mr.. Johnson. Il have
only officials of tho Rapid Transit Com
mission, Messrs. Orr and Shepard. and II the others
like them God help the people of New-York!
If the matter were left to me. / could relieve the
congestion on the bridge within thirty days"
How would you do i?' asked Mr.. Orr. rneekly.
Simply trolley loop from the bridge down
Printing House Square and use the tracks around
the Franklin for two hours OF the day while
the rush lasts. Then the would be strung
for a distance of ten blocks instead of being
punched in space 80 feet square Have police
men on the ground and arrest conductors who al
lowed passengers to get off the until they
get out into Park Row. Duplicate the act with
the bridge elevated trains. Run them the
Manhattan system 70 Chatham Square and
allow the passengers coming from Brooklyn TO
get off in the bridge terminal during the rush
hours
In celebrating his scheme to build A tunnel
through South Brooklyn Mr.. johnson said:
This tunnel to South Brooklyn, which advocate
may cost SO; sCCo99o VII guarantee that the first
will be profit. am not here to object to Mr.. Nc
YOU %nnt Td sn o teke wa on any any hst So 10 bon 6bs 6H.
am q citizen of New-York and want to be in the
am willing that the Long Island Railroad or the
BROOKLYN Rapid Transit or any other railroad shall
of the people shall he recognized. am not an
across the bridge, spite Of threats OF injunction
from the newspapers and vigorous opposition.
OF course, have as an idea TO connect with Pha-
delpha. where ] am now orerating and make one
continuous route ! claim can carry them for
Last nh IN Rroq b5 NJ M M aa %as !96
$50 100000, Where. was Mr. Johnson when this
money being given away
| want to say that was right at No. 10 Broad
the contract than pulling myself up by my boot
straps. Anybody knows when he's mp against
brace game.
Elmer s White Brooklyn lawyer attacked the
Committee Of Fifty. representative organization
which favQrs the proposed tunnel. He said that
the comrnittes in league with the Long Island
Railroad, and was actuatod, bound and led by that
corporation.
william McCarron. Of the Committee Of Fifty.
| said:
The statements given by this. gentleman air.
White are absolutely and unqualihediy Iase Inc Inc
! committee. That gentleman has told malicious
Theodore /. rockingham advocated the Fulton
ST. route. Henry George and Frederick Cocheu
P415ert ~ p Boardman, Of counsel 10 the Rapid
! Transit Commission. explained number OF the
| White said chat personally ne thought John 3;
Mcdonald would get the contract for the proposed
This gave charles o'Conor Hennessev chance
m more re worthy Of rxecration than monuments.
| James T. Hole Of the manufacturers Associa-
tion. spoke for the II.ton-st route and John
! Mackey for the South Brooklyn idea MT Mackey
said that The proposed new oTidET mo . w,m wdd
relieve the congestion through Fulton-st render
Mr. orr calmly and quickly shoveed away the
fog banks which repeatedly envelopGd some OF the
| speakers, WITHOUT MAKING any i'PIS I" any "S
| PERSONS on the commission.
Councilman Cassidy presided In the absence OF
| Mr.. Oakley.
i don't care to reply to any pcrsonalities in
| duIged IN by Mr. Johnson said Mr. Shepard, when
! asked about Mr.. Johnson's attack on him.
Mr. had a private talk with the Councilmen
! after the meeting adjourned
II was learned last night that majority Of the
committee is in favor OF the Brooklyn extension 10
! Flatbush-ave Messrs. Oakley. Hart and Hyiand
are against H. while Francisco, Hester Comfy and
| Cassidy in favor OF il.
Councilman Francisco said that on Tuesday he
would introduce a resolution asking for an appro-
! priati Of $2250,00 In all for the extension Of
the tunnel system to Fort Hamilton. The Mayor is
unwilling give than Ss,00o,0o0 for the pro-
! posed extension The impression prevails that the
| fight by South Brooklynites against the extension
! 10 FratblIsh- ave has Killed the whole scheme.