New-York tribune., 1901-03-27
PRICE THREE CENTS.
JOHNSON PLAN DISCUSSED
CONTROLLER COLER LIKES 1T IN ITS
GENERAL FEATURES.
A. B. BOARDMAN DOUBTFUL ABOUT IT-MR
JOHNSON SAYS HE HAS PLENTY
OF MONEY FOR IT.

Albert L. Johnson seems TO be making head
way with his plan to build rapid transit tun-
mel to South Brooklyn and Staten Island Con-
troler Coler said last night that he in favor
Of the main features of the proposition. Mayor
Van Wyck would not commit himself yesterday,
but it is said he is impressed with the desir-
ability of Mr. Johnson's plan.
1T strikes that Mr.. Johnson's plan Is
good idea. generally speaking" said Controller
Coler last night. and I'm inclined to think
that the Board of Estimate and AppOrtionment
and the Rapid Transit Commission will give 1T
careful consideration"
Albert B. BOardman, counsel to the Rapid
Transit Commission. is not favorably impressed
with Mr.. Johnson's plan. He said yesterday:
cannot. OF course. anticipate the Judgment OF
question the advisability of lending the ctys credit
part Of the city, e The eammission has an "a along
acted on the theory that the thing for 1t to do
where the congestion cries most loudly for relief
and locate accordingly. This they did in proposing
traffic through South Brooklyn may in the course
OF few years warrant the building of the tunnel
there. but at present 1t does not.
The greatest responsibility will devolve upon
are many calls for the ctys money. More school
appropriation for sites for the Carnesie libraries
and there are miles of paving that need TO be
aS SS If Mayr vaR wgc Ks a6d SdO5 Com
troIler Coler and others Of the Board of Estimate
and AppOrtiOnmenu their clear TO
committing the citys credit to the building Of the
South Brooklyn and Staten Island tunnel, well and
good, but it strikes me that they will go slow
about 1t
As to Mr. Johnson's sincerity. do not wish to
question it, but strikes the average man
rather singular that Mr. Johnson should without
three cent fare when he has reason TO believe
price of $4,000 on my house. and a should
come along and after inquiring the price, remark
cheerfully would give 100000. I'd have right
TO question the mans sincerity of purpose
''WiH you deposit S150,OO0 as an evidence Of
good faith. as suggested by Mr.. Orr?" Mr.. john
son was asked yesterday.
'I'll put up the plans of the tunnel drawn by
my engineers. and If it costs $1J000O admission
fee to see Mr.. Orr I'll put it up" said he "Iu
go him $4,000 better. I'll put up 100000. T
mean business. I've got S1.OO0.OOO and more,
too. All I've got to say is that if it costs so
much to see Mr.. Orr. the people ought to get
some TO represent them who doesn't come
quite high. But I'll meet all his conditions.
What I'm trying 20 do is TO wipe out the middle
man and DO business directly with the people.
It's the people who really build these railroads.
It's the peoples credit that builds them every
time. and I want deal directly with the peO-
pie. If I'm confidence and only blUffns
l want the public to get on TO me right away
ana snow me up. l nave brother, Tom L.
Johnson He has not million, but several
millions. have the key to his safe deposit box
in this city. I've never had occasion to use 1T.
but may use IL if necessary.
When | went to build railroad in England
the proposition was 20 build a road from Lon
don to Brighton. The English engineers wanted
actual cost of S6CsG How aid do ~? Rv go
eighteen miles around an obstruction when
could go right over it by travelling four miles
I will build this tunnel at first cost
The Rapid Transit Commission will meet to-
morrow afternoon Mr. Orr said yesterday thaS
on the proposed South Brooklyn tunnel besides
Mr.. Johnson