New-York tribune., 1902-03-30
BITTER AGAINST TUNNEL.
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY ATTACKS RAPID
TRANSIT COMMISSION.
TELLS COMMISSIONERS THAT IT HAS LOST
CONFIDENCE IN THEM.

The hearing given by the Rapid Transit Com
mission TO the members of the Park Avenue
Committee of Safety yesterday was marked by
bitter and scathing criticisms of the manner in
which the work between Forty-second-st. and
the beginning of the avenue has been conducted.
1t rather pitiful stories these men had to
tell. Of nights Of anxiety of the sudden collapse
of portions of their homes. Of hairbreadth es-
capes of members of their families. Even our
servants are deserting US" said one of the
mittee plaintvely, and increased wages won't
keep them"
The entire Rapid Transit Commission includ-
ing their counsel. Edward NJ. Shepard. were
present. were Mayor Low, Controller Grout,
William B. Parsons. the chief engineer, and
John B. Mcdonald. the contractor. The commit
tee consisted of F. w. Devoe James Stokes.
Arson w Hard, John J. Murphy F. H. Banks
and w. w. Brown. The meeting opened by
Alexander f. Orr, who called on F. w Devoe
the chairman Of the committee. to state its
grievances. He said in presenting the formal
complaint
While I wish you to understand that as gentle
men we have the highest respect for you, a
public commission you have forfeited all our
confidence by the outrageous manner in which
you have treated us. 1t is necessary, in view of
the gravity Of the situation, to speak frankly,
and assume that you, your part, will
meet our suggestions with similar frankness.
To emphasize the danger to which we have
been exposed, it may be proper to mention that
a member of the family of one of our commit
tee entered her house less than fifteen min
utes before the front of the stoop by which
she asCended was precptated, without
ing fifty feet or more to the bottom of the
tunnel Other narrow escapes might be men
toned.
You gentlemen represent the citizens of New
York in prosecuting this great enterprise. and
we have the right to look to you and to demand
the full exercise of your authority in securing
us in the undisturbed possession of our homes
At the close Of his address Mr.. Devoe pre-
sented the following questions the commits
sion. and asked for an immediate answer:
Have the commissioners done everything that
can he done to prevent further injury to the
buildings on the east side of Park-ave. between
,,- any of the houses now in a safe condition for
Why vas the location OF the easterly tunnel
Was the change of position Of the easterIy tun-
mel previously approved by the Rapid Transit
coatract and if so at f5sF what date? % ''' '''
Is it not practicable to reduce the size Of dyna-
safety of abutting buildings?
AR, Are not the charges now used too large and is
than the desire on the part Of the contractor to
=, Has, the Mcdonald contract been assigned to
other corporation or individual. il So TO whom?
VIII the commissioners make this instrument
NJ, WRst are the terms Of the suO-contract with
VIII the commissioners make this contract pubic?
vtI ntaI o@nG or otner secIritE' II any; mas on zen
sgb-Contractor for the protection of abuttins
To whom are owners to look for indemnity for
What measures if any, have been taken by the
commissioners 10 secure abutting owners against
Has the Board of Commissioners employed con
s9tins engineer or has the tunnel been constrHct-
charge of the chief engineer?
1t Is reported that the break in the tunnel oc-
CURED on Wednesday, March ~. Why were not
property owners notified OF possible danger result
Il is stated by the engineer that the eassry side
line of the house foundations Was this
proach to the foundations Of buildings known and
In blasting near the house foundations what
measures were taken to prevent blast from split
tng the rock; so as to cause seam or rift under
to m e has Ss@ s2G by m a Rs Rsa oaa sna
on whom is the responsibility to he placed?
Controller Grout moved that the engineer and
counsel of the commission be instructed to an
swer the questions far possible. Ed
ward NJ. Shepard was directed to answer the
legal questions. After outlining the law. he
declared that the question OF damages in the
case of the recent accident and in the dynamite
explosion were different legal propositions. but
that in both cases the property owners might
rest assured that the city would be response
bic 10 the property owners, while the contractor
was responsible TO the city. Mr.. Shepard de
Clared that there was not the slightest doubt
that Mr.. Mcdonald would be responsible for
the property damages in the cave-in. though
the sub-cOntraCtor might in turn be responsible
to him. In case the property owners filed any
claim, The commission would then hold back
sufficient money Of the amount due him to meet
the claim.
Chief Engineer Parsons was called on to an
swer those OF the questions asked by the com
mittee which concerned the engineering prob
lem. He explained that the work of the tunnel
was under the direction Of two sets of engi-
Heers, one employed by the contractor, the other
by the Rapid Transit Commission. These two
bodies made up Of competent engineers
who met and consulted frequently and had con-
sidered the changing Of the route, which
questioned by the Park-ave. residents. These
changes were authorized by the law which per
mitted them to work anywhere within a five
foot limit of the foundation walls of the houses
The change near the Grand Central Station
had been decided on as early as November,
l3OO, and was made TO permit future COnnec-
ton either with the New York Central Railroad
with an East Side tunnel
Mr.. Parsons vas sharply Cross-questioned by
Mr.. Devoe and Mr.. Lawrence who declared that
the snoring Of the roof of the tunnel had been
carelessly done. that the seam had been dis
warning had been given ParlI-ave. residents.
To all these questions Mr.. Parsons answered
that every possible precautiOn had been taken
and that the cause Of the cave-in was absolutely
unConnectcd with the change in plans and the
close approach to the foundation walls Of the
houses In closing his statement Mr.. Parsons
declared that s Mr.. Orr chairman of the com
mission. had said the safety committee should
have full access TO all the plans and documents
Of the commission, he would do everything he
could to facilitate the Investigation of the tunnel
by any engineer they might select. He also de-
clared that the charges Of dynamite being used
at present were much smaller than formerly. as
the most difficult part Of the work had been
completed.
Mayor Low declared that he was ready to re-
ceve any appeal from the committee, that he
sympathized with them and would do every
thing in his power to assist them
The commission will prepare a formal answer
TO the questions of the committee of safety.
After the hearing Mr.. Parsons produced a
map, and, the residents gathered around him,
explained the present situation in the tunnel.
AS the situation under the houses of the Vari-