New-York tribune., 1901-08-10
SECRET WORK ON TUNNEL.
REPORT THAT OPERATIONS ON THE
EAST RIVER TUBE ARE BEING
RAPIDLY PUSHED.

There was a report current yesterday tnat
the work of building the tunnel under the East
River, to be constructed and operated oy ule
New-York and Brooklyn Railroad Company
was being pushed rapidly. According 10 thls re-
port the company bought house IN oouth-St''
near Beekman-st., in June, so 1t coulo Deslh
the task Of building part of the sectloh OF the
tunnel on this side of the East River. IL was
further said that a gang of men had started
in the cellar of the house the work or eXcaVat-
ing for the tunnel, and that the dirt from the
excavation, instead of being carted away ana
attracting attention had been carried to the
upper floors of the building and dumped there.
Since the franchise granted TO the com
pany to build a tunnel under the East River
by the city in 1896 one has been able to learn
who is really behind the project Frederic b.
Esler, the lawyer. is one of the directors OF the
company He is now in Europe, and IS not eX-
pected to return until the early part OF Sep
tember. He has offices in the Broad Exchange
Building and on the door of the Office is painted
in gold letters IN. Y and B. r. r."
A representative of the company seen at
the office yesterday afternoon by Tribune re-
Porter This person said to the reporter:
There is no doubt that the proposed tunnel
to be built by the company under the East
River will be built. The franchise that it holds
gives II many rights. even the right TO condemn
property for the purposes of building the tun-
mel The tunnel will practically extend from the
City Hall, Manhattan, to the Borough Hail.
Brooklyn To be more specific, the company
has been empowered to build a tunnel beginning
at a point at the intersection of Ann-st and
Park Row and ending at point near Adams
st, Brooklyn. Under its franchise this route
could be changed"
Have you not already done much work in
eNcaV2ting for tunnel on this side the
East River?" the reporter asked.
"One of the provisions of the franchise sets
forth that 10 per cent of the work OF the tun-
mel must be completed on or about June D. lSol
On that day we had fully carried out every let
ter OF that provision of the franchise. and to
prove that the work completed then we
have the sworn affdavits of the contractor and
others"
Has net the company bought a large parcel
of real estate at South and Beekman sts-, and
was il not able through this purchase to carry
out its plans of building the tunnel?"
L cannot tell you whether or not the company
has made such a purchase, or whether its work
on the tunnel has been furthered by any such
purchase of property. The company is not yet
taking the public into its confidence. II will at
the proper tine. Mr.. Esler may have something
interesting TO say when he returns"
The company got a permit from Comms-
sioner KeatinS to tear up the roadway in South
st between Beekman and Fulton sts and this
order was later revoked. Did the resembling Of
the order seriously upset the company's plans?"
asked the reporter.
Commissioner Heating" said the speaker
to do
When viii the work Of building the tunnel
under the river begin" inquired the reporter.
About September IL and in two and half
years from that date the tunnel Will be built
and In operation. The tunnel will be tube shape
ana VIII be wide enough for double track sys-
TEN. BY having completed 10 per cent OF the
work on the tunnel by June last we have
five years yet before the trains in the tunnel
must be in operation"
Several draughtsmen were buslly engaged at
the office yesterday afternoon when a Tribune
reporter visited H.