New-York tribune., 1902-05-07
BUILD TUNNELS, SAYS RIVES.
CORPORATION COUNSEL THINKS CITY SHOULD DROP THE
MANHATTAN BRIDGE PROJECT


The present agitation for the abandonment OF
the proposed Manhattan Bridge and the
sfructlon instead of a series OF tunnels between
the ooroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn is
winning 10 itself the support of many of the
chief officers Of the ctys administration. Some
expressed the opinion that immediate action
should be taken by the proper authorities TO
stop the work on the Brooklyn oasson of the
bridge and call halt on the commissioners of
condemnation, who are now going ahead in the
acquisition Of property beneath the Brooklyn
land span Of the bridge. Others believed that it
might be as cheap TO permit the contractors TO
complete the foundation for the Brooklyn tower,
and then negotiate with them for stopping work
at that point without the further expenditure of
the citys money for the foundation OF the Man
haitian tower. All. however, who were seen by
The Tribune reporters were emphatic in their
belief that the Manhattan Bridge would
sumo nearly S25OO0.ooO of the city's money be-
fore its completion, and that it would be far
wiser 10 build with the same sum four or five
tunnels TO different points in the Borough of
Brooklyn.
George L. Rives, the Corporation Counsel, said
yssterday that he thought The Tribune's
proposition for the abandonment Of the proposed
bridge and the substitution Of a number of
tunnels was sound and logical. Mr.. Rives,
member OF the Rapid Transit Commission, from
which he resigned on becoming the head of the
Law Department Of the city, made a special
study Of the problem Of rapid transit between
the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and
in speaking Of the decision which he formed
FOR its solution he said:
THE Manhattan Bridge, work on which un-
derstand is just beginning, is a mistake. What
is wanted to bind Manhattan and Brooklyn
gether and to solve the present problem of tran
sit connection between these boroughs is
tunnels The amount OF money which must
needs be expended in the construction Of this
third bridge would build four or five tunnels.
The cost OF the land necessary for the ap-
proaches Of The bridge, which have total length
Of over a mile, will prove tremendous and will
aggregate several millions more than was origi-
nally estimated. The bridge will take six, seven
or even eight years in building. whereas a series
Of tunnels could be built in half the time
ITO go ahead and complete the construction
OF the Manhattan Bridge would be most short
sighted policy. 1t would prove a heavy drain
on the municipal treasury, and the end would
not solve the present Manhattan Brooklyn tran
sit problem. Furthermore. the expenditure OF
the oity's money on such a costly undertaking
would retard other municipal improvements for
lack of which are now suffering
"It is said that tunnels are only for trains, and
accordingly would not afford transit for foot
passengers and wagons. True. But. as mat
tee OF fact, il is only the trains that need to be
provided for. The number Of pedestrians COM
pared with the number Of train passengers on
the Brooklyn Bridge is insignihcantly small
And as for wagons. only the empty or lightly
loaded vehicles cross the bridge The heavily
loaded trucks use the ferries. inasmuch as 1t is
too hard on the horses 10 drag heavy loads up
the long incline Of the approach of a bridge.
The present extension Of the rapid transit