Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-06

Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 4.-From
New York to Philadelphia in 80 min
utes, to Baltimore in 314 hours and to
Washington in four hours. These ara
some of the promises made yesterday
by A. j.. Cassatt, president Of the
Pennsylvania railroad, in the course of
long interview on the status and out
look of the tunnel franchises giving
the railway entrance to New York
City. They are contingent now only
on the contamination of the $50, 600,
600 plan, which has been obstructed by
the New York Board of Aldermen.
From the metropolis to Philadelphia
in 30 minutes means sustained running
at a mile-a minute rate, but under TIN
conditions that will prevail bety lsn,
the two cities in short time thanimais,
be entirely practicable. "a ana
President Cassatt pointed out thar,e 9
insure the early realization of tie
promise the building of the New York
tunnels and terminals is only one Of
the several factors involved, but 1t is
one that is essenti II and the only one
that is not already assured. The other
factors are improved motive power,
the Strengthening and consequent
shortening of the line and the practical
elimination of grade crossings, which
heretofore have necessitatsd slowing up
in passing through oities and towns
In this city yesterday one more step
was taken toward the adoption of the
tunnel franchise for New York. At
meeting Of tho board of directors Of the
Pennsylvania, New York O. Long Island
Railroan Co., which is the corporate
title of the organization that is to
1,,ttt al 20 tha ft,n fr nad
terminals, q vote was taken formally
approving the amended franchise agree
ment, which has hean approved already
by Mayor Lows conference committee,
of the Board of Aldermen aud the
Rapid Transit Commission. The agree.
ment now goes back to New York for
ratification by the Board of Aldermen
and the State Board of Railroad Com
missioners.
In an interview following the meet
ing President Cassatt said:
'tWe are now at work Strengthening
the line between Philadelphia and New
York, and ge tting rid Of the grade cross
ings with view to quiokening the
time between the two cities, and we
are extending these improvements be-
| tween Philadelphia and Washington.
| We are elerating the tracks through
Newark, n. j., New Brunswick, Tren-
ton, Chester and Wilmington. We pro-
pose to 60 at once and elevate them
through Railway and Bristol, and at
the same time to improve the alignment
| and get rid of curvature. When this is
done We expect to make the run be.
tween Philadelphia and the New York
Terminal in an hour and half, be.
tween Baltimore and New York in
three an one-quarter hours and be.
tween Washington and New York il
| four hours"
"Would the reduction in time be-
tween New York and Philadelphia BY
the running of fast trains make ID
necessary to run fewer trains daily?"
was asked.
''Not at all. ~ Mr.. Cassatt stated
this denial as if the problem involved
were the simplest thing in the world.
1t had been said that to maintain such
| speed would involve practically clear
ing the line for the running of few
| fast trains.
Mr.. Cassatt denied that the proposed
| tunnel would be used for freight traffic
or that the road intended establishing
a new passenger terminal, connecting
| with a line of transatlantic ships at
Montauk Point, L. |. These have been
urged as objections to the franchise by
aldermen. lie reiterated his objection
| to the attempt Of some OF the aldermen
| to require clause in the agreement
| fixing the rate of wages and hours OF
work in the construction Of the tunnel.