New-York tribune., 1902-03-05
Jew York, New-Jersey al
CENTRALAPPEALS TO LOW.
ASSURANCE OF READINESS TO IMPROVE
TUNNEL CONDITIONS.
THE MAYOR INCLINED TO WITHDRAW AT
PROvAL OF BILL TO FIN DATE FOR
CHANGE OF MOTIVE POWER.
Mavor Low 1ast nLght after the receipt q

Mayor Low last night, after the receipt Of
letter with strong assurances signed by eight
directors Of the New-York Central and Hudson
River Railroad Company wrote Louis Bedeil.
chairman Of the Railroad Committee of the
Assembly. favoring tho waving of a fixed date
for the prohibition Of the use Of steam in the
Park-ave. tunnel. provided that in other re-
spects the Central will meet the views of those
most interested The Mayor. however. is not
willing 70 withdraw his support NJ Assembly
man Wainwrights bill naming a fixed date for
the giving up Of steam in tho tunnel until he
can confer with Mr.. Wainwright. He likewise
is opposed to referring the matter 70 the Rail
road Commission.
Mr. Low last night wrote Mr.. Wainwright
saying that he had not changed his attitude
,of support toward his bill that he should not
change II unless he received public assurs noes
that warranted II.
The company pledges itself 10 proceed with
rhe substitution Of electricity for steam upon
the side tracks hauling strictly local traffic as
soon as necessary authority is given 10 make
the change.
The compauy's letter to the Mayor IS as fol
lows.
po4 W to are the mf3 sf5 a @ 6o pssds 9o
Assembly the object of Nctch - 70 name a hRsd Nt
Park-ave tunnel shall be forbidden. II II We're
such legislation, Tor this company is as anxious as
the public TO operate all its trains through the
is not practicable as 20 our heavy through trains.
which carry distant as distinguished from local
rafe This part Of the pr19em Is made ,o1 dn9%
ing at our terminal ana m oL {ne EsLg Iarse s'''s
upon Whleh the tFalHc mas 10 70" 'dI -u ltu on .
The magnitude OF The passenger traIhc in and out
Of the Grand Central Station adds materially 70
average OF more than five hundred trains and about
Iorty JhoGs4na PaSseHserS 9aL4 are nov an @
certain experiments should be tried and that what
nterters SG ts f' as as p0ssbe With the conu5 Of
business OF so great importance to the daily life Of
As 10 the suburban trafHc however by the use Of
substitute electricity Tor steam under the plan pro
aG5sIrGtad 1Ss u a., ,rs IN GS ti f ] ,2b 10 u m
ton Of trains provided this Company cam Obtain he
in fact been arranging FOR such change OF power
ALREADY acquired most Of the additional properly
soon as the requisite consents from State and
municipal authorities are obtained
forbds the use Of en Svar M g' i Tr@ me &
submit that II is not reasonable require total
be- xed by the sganre N o The pr0Bem oB d2F to- b
soIyed involves too many elements OF uncertainty
10 make suCh procedure reasonable where such
vast Interests arc involved
In lieu Of such legislative action the company
ne ptlses 70 the city its good faith 70 pro
ged with me substitution Of electricity for steam
20 20 the conpany Of the necessary authority 10 do
so ana 10 carry the work forward as rapidly as
pos5iioie IN addition this company also pledges
lset 10 substitute electricity for steam in the
operation of the central tracks as soon as and
whenever a pracucaole plan be prepared which
sd1eS reasohable promise OF producing satisfactory
IS Intended TO carry with II the good faith OF rhe
iI1Nldual directors who compose its board
We are also informed that YOU have criticised
thls company Tor maintaining seven grade cross
Ings at the s. near Kings Bridge north of the
Hariem ana nave expressed the opinion that this
SgluI'I'h or thlnSs ought to be Immediately RENE
dltd at the expense of the company We are nra-
pared ana n Is one purpose of this letter 10 give
the CITY the assurance that this company will aka
immediate steps 70 DO away with these grade
crossings at the expense Of the railroad corpora-
uon. This work will he done as rapidly as
pracucaole plan can be completed for carrying il
In view Of the facts outlined in this communica-
ton. and of the pledges contained herein this
company expresses the hope that YOU will abandon
the idea OF securing from the legislature bill pro-
hlhltlng all use OF steam in the tunnel after a
nXed date. and that you will operate with this
make the improvements that are so r1uch desired
This legislation involves two things-hrst the ay-
side tracks in the tunnel; second authority TO put
into effect the plan that has been already pub
Hshed. modified as may be found necessary by the
company ana the state and municipal authorities
In order 10 secure the most prompt and ntelll-
gent action upon this part of the problem the
company hopes that you will agree to a bill which
plans. and giving that board power to deterrnine
the companys station and terminals. Should such
changes involve the use Of streets avenues or
other property of the city, the company is willing
to pay a reasonable compensation therefor Re
spectfully yours
WILLIAM K, VANDERBILT.
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw,
]. PIERPONT MORGAN
W. H, NEWMAN,
s. D. BABCOCk