New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-01


the other preliminary work necessary before the
actual contract can be let.
Thus 1t will be possible. it is said to have
actual work begin on an East Side route as soon
as the main line is put into operation. By such
a procedure, engineers say, complete rapid
trans!. system for both the East and West sides
could be furnished by the spring of 1905. On
the other hand, if the preliminary plans for the
East Side branch are allowed to lag. its com.
pletion may not be possible in the next ten
years.
OLD ENGINE HOUSE WILL PROBABLY GO
TUNNEL WORK DANGEROUS TO THE ONE AT
CHAMBERS AND CENTRE SITS
The old fire engine house at Centre and Cham
bers SITS. which has been occupied by Engine
No. Z and Truck No. 1 ever since the paid Fire
Department was organized, and previous to
that by the Protector Volunteer Engine Com
pany and the Mutual Volunteer Truck Com
pany Will proba bly, be torn down to make way
for the rapid transit tunnel which will run
underneath the building eight feet from Centre
st. Mr.. Fisher the engineer of the Degnon-
Mclean Construction Company, who has charge
of this section of the tunnel. has abandoned the
work at this point temporarily, and is waiting
for Fire Commissioner Sturgis to find other
quarters for the engine and truck companies.
The building is extremely DID, and, while 1t
might be shored up with safety. Mr.. Fisher is
reluctant 10 UNDERTAKE Sucn JOp, because VI
the danger not only to those engaged In the
work, but to the occupants of the building. He
said yesterday:
We are waiting TO learn what the Fire Com
missioner proposes to do with the building be-
fore we proceed with the tunnel work at that
point. If the firehouse were Of recent con
struction, and strong enough to stand the
strain. 1 would have fear of any danger. 1t is
a pretty old building, though. and am afraid
to undertake the work Of tunnelling underneath
1t. / understand that it is Inadequate Tor the
purposes of the Fire Department. anyway, ana
that the accommodations for the men are very
DOOR The tunnel will run eight feet under the
building on the east side. and WILL of course
weaken IT considerably. The safest way is to
tear ii down and build something UP to date
The foundations of such old buildings are not
very deep and when excavation like the
rapid transit tunnel is made right alongside or
it and, IN this case. underneath II, we nave
a ticklish proposition on our hands.
Horgan & Sattery. the architects of the new
Hall of Records at Centre and Chambers sts,
say that there is absolutely no danger to the
new building from the tunnel The foundations
extend considerably below the floor of the tun-
mel, and every precaution has been taken
against injury to the building.
The firernen attached to Engine No. say that
they understand new quarters will soon be pro-
vided for them. Engine No. occupies the east
side of the building, just over the tunnel. Com
missioner Sturgis could not be seen yesterday.
His secretary said that the danger to the fire
house had been called to the attention of the
Commissioner about three weeks ago, but he
not aware that any steps to provide new
quarters had been taken.