New-York tribune., 1902-03-04
MAYPUTB. r. T. orr BRIDGE.
COMMISSIONER SAYS RAILROAD MUST
CHANGE PRESENT DISGRACE
FUL CONDITIONS.

Bridge Commissioner Lirdenthal presented for
discussion at joint meeting of the Committee
of Fifty and the Manufacturers Association in
Brooklyn last night his plan for the relief of
congestion on the bridge. The plan was referred
to the committees on bridges and tunnels of the
Committee IF Fifty and the Manufacturers As
ISOLATION Mr. Lindenthal said II would take
six years 70 complete the work called for by the
plan He declared that the plan prepared by
the committee Of expert engineers appointed
under the NcCarren act appeared TO he devised
for the sole benefit Of the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit Company and that he had thought il his
duty to outline a plan that would relieve AL
the congestion, not only a. the Manhattan ter
rninal Of the bridge, but the City Hall station
of the Manhattan Elevated Railroad.
Under present conditions" said Mr.. Linden
thai the bridge is only annex Of the Brook
lyn Rapid Transit Company The company in
sists loading cars for seventeen lines in a
small space Of 100 by 60 feet. This company
could relieve the immediate congestion consid-
erably if it was willing to provide the means.
If II does not change the present dsgraceful
conditions then the revocation Of the existing
contract by which il its cars over the
bridge becomes a necessity. The condition at
the Brooklyn end Of the bridge is even worse
than at the Manhattan terminal"
William McCarroll president Of the Commit
PRESIDED.
who had heard Commissioner LindenthaTs plan
would agree that it at least wide, compre-
hensive farseeing and complete. As the Com
missioner had pointed out, he said, there was
pressing need of some immediate relief, which
could be afforded by connection. between the
rapid transit company and the ferries.
Ludwig Nissen criticised the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company, saying: You might as well
look the devil for salvation for your soul as
10 look 10 the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company
for a betterment Of the conditions on the
bridge" He advocated the ahrogaton Of the
contract with the railroad company, ana SAID
that unless this were done some terrible disaster
would some day occur on the bridge
John L. Wells, counsel for the Brooklyn Rapid
( Transit Company, said: We are charged with
being incompetent and we acknowledge IT, Mr.
Greatsinger has been studying transportation
problems for the last forty years. and he still
has something to learn. If any man here who
is a business thinks that the Brooklyn
Ra pid Transit Company Intentionally turns trat-
ic away from the ferries he is greatly mis-
taken. We ran empty cars TO ferries until we
got tired OF it. ! want to say that our com
pany is willing 10 discontinue running its cars
over the bridge. ! don't think the people want
to return TO the conditions prior to that time
If the Mayor, president of the borough ana the
Bridge Commissioner, who have the power to
abrogate our contract with the city, want us to
get off the bridge. all they have to do is 10
Mr. Wells criticised Mr.. Lindenthars plan.
He declared that If the elevated trains were
run over the Brooklyn Bridge. up Park Row to
the Williamsburg bridge and across TO Will
iamsburg, they would go up Broadway empty,
and there was no way Tor them 10 get pack 10
Bay Ridge unless some loop or switch system
was provided. Mr.. Wells wanted more loops In
the Manhattan terminal. which. he said. would
relieved the crowding there.
Il have consulted the managers of the Man
! haitian Railroad" said Mr.. Lindenthal, and
| they willing to cooperate with me in the
plan Park Row and the Bowery from
Chambers-st. to Delancey-st. The old road
would be torn down and thrown into the scrap
| heap, and an entirely road of four tracks
between these points would be constructed"
Dick S Ramsay. Herman A. Metz and Fred
| Cocheu spoke in support Of Commissioner Lin
| denthal's plan.