New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
MAYOR APPROVES TUNNEL
CHEERED WHEN HE SIGNS RESOLUTION
FOR BROOKLYN EXTENSION.
THREE HOURS OF sPEECHMAKING FOR
AND AGAINST THE PROJECT
THE NEXT STEPS.

Mayor Van wyck at about LOO o'clock yes
terday afternoon, after a hearing in his office
lasting nearly three hours. signed the Council
resolution providing for an extension of the
rapid transit tunnel from the New-York Post
office to Flatbush and Atlantic aves., Brooklyn.
He signed it quickly that no one knew what
he was about till his name down in black
and white.
I've heard all care to on this subject" said
the Mayor, who only a few minutes before had
shut off from speaking man with a patent for
something other. Then he leaned over and
affixed his signature to the resolution. saying,
he Strengthened up, Gentlemen. I've signed
the ordinance"
At least one hundred Brooklynites broke out
with cheering and then the Mayor was thanked
by many of his callers for putting end to the
long delay and settling the Brooklyn tunnel
question.
The next steps in the procedure necessary to
the beginning of work on the tunnel to Brooklyn
are as follows: The Rapid Transit Commission
will secure the consent Of property owners along
the proposed route. There will be differences
Of opinion with reference to values, and the
commission will apply to the Appellate Division
Of the Supreme Court for the appointment OF
commissioners to condemn the lands needed
Both the first and second departments Of the
Appellate Division will receive the report and
appoint commissioners. The contract for the
extension will be drawn by Edward NJ Shepard,
counsel to the commission. and submitted TO
Corporation Counsel Whalen for his approval.
Then will come the advertising for bids the
awarding of the contract. the exaction of the
necessary bonds and other details. 1t is ex-
pected that the work can he expedited so that
the extension will he finished practically at the
anba m
The estimated cost of the work is SS,000,000.
The hearing yesterday began at 1890 a. m.
and the Mayors Office was thronged at that hour
with people for and against the tunnel scheme.
Among those present were Alexander f. Orr
Woodbury. Langdon, Charles F. Robertson. the
Rev. DR.. s. d Mcconnell, William Barclay Par
sons Councilman Cassidy. Alderman Bridges
Henry George Controller Coer Albert B. Board
man. Edward NJ. Shepard. Stephen n Baldwin
and ex-senator George W. Brush.
WANTED LON ISLAND RAILROAD TO
BUILD IT.
The first speaker was Alfred c. Liebler, who
said he was unalterably opposed 10 the proposed
plan and wanted the Long Island Railroad
Company 10 build the tunnel al its own expense.
Stephen Y Baldwin read a long typewritten
address opposing the tunnel scheme. He said
the tunnel merely response 10 the clamor
for a tunnel. and that the people in charge did
not have the best interests of the boroughs at
heart Mr.. Baldwin favored the three-cent fare
OF Mr. Johnson TO South Brooklyn Peter Aiken.
representing the Brooklyn Single Tax League.
read a resolution adopted by that league urging
the Mayor to veto the ordinance.
Rudolph Horak. Of the Taxpayers Association
Of Queens. shouted a fiery speech against tho
Rapid Transit Commission and others which
those in favor Of the tunnel laughed at. This
caused Mr.. Horak 10 lose his temper and he
shouted and pounded until the Mayor laughed
also.
Charles O'Connor Hennessey wanted the South
Brooklyn tunnel, favored by Albert Johnson.
While the opposition was speaking the City
Hall had become full, and the Mayors office
those who came in were Andrew H Green, j.
Hampden Dougherty, Charles A. Moore and
Councilman LEIGH.
Professor Jared Bartlett, Of the Committee of
Forty of Queens, opposed the tunnel. The Rapid
Transit Commission was then called on. and Mr..
Orr, the president, the first speaker in
favor. Mr.. Orr said he would not go into the
questions brought up in opposition, but spoke
rather of the work Of the commission He re-
ferred to Judge Gaynor's letter in opposition,
and said he believed him (Gaynor) to be not
fully informed on the subject Mr.. orr described
the route as determined and then said:
ALEXANDER E. ORRs SPEECH.
If we had been studying the interests of the
down 70 the Battery and had the loops? The plan
tion. and not adopted through any Idea of aid
ing that company.
disposed Of in advance. as the tunnel In Manhat-
tan 1 do not know Mr., Mayor, your feelings; but
Manhattan tunnel that We congratulated each other
that We had secured so worthy, honest and upright
Judge .Gaynor is very unfortunate in his Ian
Commission have been delinquent and have done
wrong wrong, why did he did not call us up at once in
CoptroIler Coler followed Mr. 0rr He efarted
by saying:
only one thing IN this resolution. and that is that
I am not responsible for the entire matter. l wish
it the greatest good that can to this city
believe in int@rborough communication that
can take car in one borough and go TO any other.
Edward NJ. Shepard, counsel to the commits
sion. said that two Mayors. Strong and Van
Wyck: three Governors Morton Roosevelt and
Odell; six legislatures and the people in vote
had approved the rapid transit plan. He de-
cared the statement that the Mcdonald con-
tract was criminal, to be as wrong and unjust
it absurd and ridiculous. Mr.. Shepard
devoted his speech to the legal side of the ques-
ton.
Neither Judge Gaynor nor any else
showed himself in opposition when the plan
was under consideration for so long a time
said Mr. Shepard. rs this the time to oppose
rapid transit?"
MR. SHEPARD'S ADDRESS
Speaking of the Long Island Railroad Mr..
Shepard said
no FOR he m s2nd ANY one
tell you that you should not give franchiss to a
elevated railroad controlled by Gould. you would
think nc was a lunauc
Professor Edward w. Bemis spoke in opposi-
ton after Mr.. Shepard had finished A. j.
Boulton also opposed the ordinance.
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