New-York tribune., 1902-04-23


with only half dozen dissenting votes the
Board Of Aldermen yesterday passed the fore
going resolution providing for the immediate
consideration by the Rapid Transit Comuis
sion Of an East Side subway. Both fusion and
Tan1raanv members of the board voted in IA
,or of the resolution. and party lines were
wholly obterated. The enthusiasm and spon-
.aneity which marked the passage of the reso-
luton most emphatically showed that the pres
emf agitation for East Side subway, which
has been so stoutly and persistently advocated
nv The Tribune has become widespread in Its
character and meets the support of nearly all
,be representative citizens of the greater city
What opposition developed against the resolu-
zion came from members from Brooklyn, who
on first thought believed that it would in some
way hinder the extension of the rapid transit
system TO that borough When assured that the
measure would in no way endanger the interests
Of Brooklyn this opposition rapidly tapered
down to five six votes.
The Board OF Aldermen went stiu further in
stamping the East Side subway project with its
approval by embodying in the resolution pro
vision which will result in agitating the sub
sect to a still greater degree. For this purpose
hearings will be held before the Railroad Com
nittee of the board. and in this way the views
of all the diverse classes and sections Of the
great East Side can be obtained and their
needs thoroughly considered
The resolution was introduced by Alderman
Franklin 3. Ware. of the XXIXth District
spirired debate followed. in which Jacob A. Can
Tor President of the Borough Of Manhattan.
Louis r Haffen President of the Borough of
The Bronx, and Aldermen John T. Mccall.
Timothy p Sullivan and James Owens spoke in
favor of its adoption. Aldermen Bridges and
Stewart of Brooklyn. opposed the measure on
the ground that It would jeopardize the Brook
lyn extension of the subway.
BROOKLYN OPPOSITION MET
Their arguments. however, were forcibiy met
bv the statements of Mr. Cantor and Mr.. Haf-
fen who as members of the Board of Estimate
and Apportionment, assured these members
that the board stood ready to authorize the
issue Of the necessary sS,o00,oo0 bonds for the
construction of this Improvement and that the
resolution would in no way hinder the beginning
OF the Brooklyn spur of the rapid transit sys-
TEN
The resolution then passed by viva voce
vote Alderman Bridges. of Brooklyn, in the
course of the debate created considerable merri-
rnent which he attempted to suppress by the
statement that the Long Island Railroad and
not the Rapid Transit Commission had laid out
the route OF the Brooklyn extension Time was
finally called upon Mr.. Bridges. amid more
laughter than ever.
Alderman Stewart of Brooklyn, opened the
debate by SAYING: Il do not think that this
resolution should pass. FOR the reason that the
Rapid Transit Commission now has all it can
do
.eyybaf,~ exclaimed .ohn T Mccall leader of
the Tanr7anv contingent Does the gentleman
from Brooklyn mean to say that. now the COM
no est Side of the city
and the Borough of Brooklyn rapid transit the
great East Side in which live the bulk of the
people of the greater city should be deprived OF
these rights. and be forgotten? Never! co hol
believe for a moment that the Rapid TRANSIT
Commission has so much TO do that 1t would
forget the East Side. But what we want is
immediate action the part of this board, 50
that the East Side subway shall be built without
unnecessary delay.
I'VE all know the congested condition OF the
East Side. and we are all aware at the same
time that the sum of $50 600 0eo is being ex-
pended in 2 pIan of rapid transit which viii In
10 way relieve these people, but is Tor the
benefit instead of the unimproved sections OF the
West Side Such a condition is a shame and a
disgrace
Even II the preparatory steps for such an
East Side subway were taken at the present
time. II would take more than two years peIoTF
the actual work the excavation VI lHe ""'
way could be undertaken. 1t is my earnest
hope, as the representative OF an East sue
district that the Board of Rapid Transit COM
= rssioners Will take immediate action in favor
OF a subway TO the east of Central Park Such
action ought to have been taken long ago
PRESIDENT HAFFEN's ARGUMENT
In urging the adoption OF the resolution, Presl-
dent Haffen of the Borough Of the Bronx sdlu'
It has been said that with the complexion oL
The present route the Borough or Inc pIo.-A
VIII have rapid transit. This Is a great HIio ms
take, and the people of that borough aIe
Just beginning TO see in what predicament they
nave been placed. Worst of all, the easter
part of The Bronx. where the population - tiie
oensest. viii have Of these transit ldGi
Whatsoever. These particular residents OF liie
borough will be compelled to travel as DeLo4e,
by means OF the elevated lines. On the othei
OF the rapid transit system which is no" p~uiio ~
ing Will be compelled to travel to the southern II
Part OF Manhattan by circuitous route Will WIFI
VIII carry them clear over TO the HUDSON river
lhere VIII he express service South Oh oi,e-
hundred -and-third-st in Broadway ana the
consequence will be that the rapid transit sy
tefN as now planned VIII afford the people VINO
can use il little better service than is now fe'I-
nered by the elevated lines.
An East Side road. the other hand, WoHio
be direct route for the residents of The bro'IA
10 and from the lower part Of Manhattan IL
cannot be built too quickly. Accordingly pr,
llninary steps should be taken by the lsapid
30 that when the city is able to build the roao
lt can 90 ahead and do IL.
Alderman Bridges spoke at considerable length