New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-13
TUNNEL FIGHT DECLARED WON.
COUNSEL FOR p r. r. SAYS THE FRANCHISE WILL
BE GRANTED TUESDAY,
Big TIM Suhvan and C. F. Murphy Fearful Of Political Results
IN Nert Campaign. Weaken.

The Pennsylvania Railroads brisk battle for
the privilege of tunneIling under Manhattan was
declared last night by Albert B. Boardman.
counsel for the railroad,
Big Tim. Sullivan and Charles F. Murphy,
fearful of the political results in the next may
orally campaign if they should block the tun-
mel enterprise longer, yesterday weakened, and
! the understanding all around now is that from
ten fifteen Tammany votes will be cast in
favor of the franchise next Tuesday afternoon
we have won our fight" said Mr. Board
man last night TO Tribune reporter. I'VE have
the NECESSARY votes tn pass the franchise on
Tuesday next. 1 have too much respect for the
ability of the Tammany members of the Board
of Aldermen to believe that they really at any
time intended 10 defeat the tunnel project when
it means so much for the wellbeine of the city
In my opinion, the franchise will be passed on
Tuesday, even IL Il is necessary that Messrs-
Sullivan and Mccall TWO Of the pronounced op-
punents of the contract. should vote for it
The Interpretation of this Is that the Penn
sylvana company is certain that enough Tam
many votes will be furnished 10 pass the con-
tract without more ado, and without any more
posing as the Jealous friends of labor.
The Republican members of the board. almost
without exception have taken the sensible view
that the terms Of the franchise while possibly
not all that could he desired, sufficiently
to run the risk of having no tunnel built.
The Tammany leaders, with chara cteristc du-
pliCfty. have made -srandstand" play in be
half of organized labor. while at the same time
a certain number of Tammany men in the board
have been willing to waive their personal opin-
ions If suitable arrangements could be made
Meanwhile there has been a steady growth
of sentiment in favor of the tunnel PROJECT
Sullivan and Murphy became of this
nd
Board of Estimate in the future, there appeared
TO them prospect of strengthening Tammany
by being friendly TO the Pennsylvania COM
Iany. BY giving ten twelve votes for the
franchise the Tammany leaders feel that they
will get a certain amount Of credit for helping
1t through and at the time that they Will
be able to point to the Tafnmany vote against
the franchise as proof that the rank and file of
tho organization love labor with large IL
Both Murphy and Sullivan have been waiting
for months to see what the Pennsylvania peo-
pie were going to do. No advances were made.
The only reward for their solcitude. and Incl
dentally for about ten Tammany votes. is-the
prospect of being able to secure valuable pat
ronage during the building of the tunnel They
haven't any definite promise of that, but Con-
gressman Sullivan is long headed enough to
know that with much work going on
nfmble man like himself can get lot of his
followers taken care of.
When Mr. Boardman was asked about the
published statement that his firm would re-
ceive a large fee for services in securing the
franchise he replied This firm is counsel for
the Pennsylvania New York and Long Island
Railroad which wants the franchise Our ar
rangements are such that it will make diff
ference to lis financially whether the tunnel
franchise is passed or not
And just add" facetiously remarked Frank
II. PIatt, who was with his partner at the time.
that this firm is ready to make arrangements
with any responsible corporation that wants TO
advance underground rapid transit in this
city.
Borough President Haffer of The Bronx said
yesterday he had not as get made up his mind
how he was going to vote Tuesday. we
going get together between nov and
Monday night and read over the contract.
added Mr.. Hafen. "and by Monday we will
know how to act in the best interests of the |
city BY we Mr. Haffen referred to himself
and the Democratic aldermen from The Bronx,
Heinschfeger Goldwater, Letter. Behrmann and
GaSs.
Alderman Wentz Rep1. of Brooklyn, request |
ed the newspaper men to take him Off the list !
of members supposed TO be against the tunnel i
contract and to keep him o:,. II Ne been In |
favor of the franchise ever since | found th1t
NE couldn't do any better" said Mr. Wentz
Alderman Mathews declared yesterday fhat !
he had not said to any one how he would vote |
Il took Alderman Doull all around his dis |
trct and proved TO him that the people owning /
property were in favoNof the tunnel said J. |
A. Geoshgan, a real estate dealer, YESTERDAY.
II proved to him that the only man VINO was
standing out against the project was man |
WE CONNECT WITH THEM ALL
At Chicago st. Louis. Cincinnati or Montreal tne