New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-09
TO BE AN OBJECT LESSON
CARE IN BROADWAY CUT.
Engineer Says Sub7cay VIII Not
.StOp Traffic an Daytime.

The Degnon-M Mclean Contracting Company,
sub-contractor for the Brooklyn extension OF
the subway between Ann-st. and Bridge-st.'
Manhattan. is under orders from John b. NC
Donald, the general contractor and Chief Engl-
neer Parsons of the Rapid Transit Commission
TO do the excavating in lower Broadway so that
there shall be no complaints about obstruction
OF traffic. The demand Of the business men
along the proposed route of the Broadway line
between Forty-second-st and Union Square
that there shall be no open ditch is having a
wholesome effect. The Degnon-McLean COM
pany understands that it must give an object
lesson on the way in which cut and cover work
can be done without annoyance to shopkeepers
and traffic. Chief Engineer Fisher of the
Degnon-McLean company said yesterday that
his company would begin work on the lower
Broadway section within ten days.
by rights" said Mr. Fisher, all the talking
about plans for the work in lower Broadway
should be done by Mr.. Sanford who has the
work in charge for our company. I shall be
busy in Elm-st for several months yet and
Mr. Sanford will have almost entire charge of
the work. All that I say about the plans is
largely guess work. but my guess will come
pretty close to the actual plans. unless l am
greatly mistaken.
The public and the papers ought to give
Mr.. Mcdonald and Mr.. Parsons fair treatment
Just at present they not getting a square
deal 7 There is a great deal of apprehension
ovfr a condition of affairs in Broadway that
Tfay never materialize. The law ties us down
pretty close on the lower Broadway construc-
ton work as is pretty well understood already.
We expect to do at night all that part of the
work which would tend to interfere with traffic
in the street and while the excavation will be
open, the holes win be so quickly and fully
covered with planking that there will be no OBJ
structlon TO traffic. 1t seems TO me that this
Is all that the public can fairly expect.
THE method used in lower Broadway is likely
to be used in other subway construction in this
city II is our plan to use in lower Broadway
about three Of the compressed air derrick plants
such as are used along Park Row, between the
bridge and Ann-st. We expect to do one block
a slice 1 by that, if we cut shaft
for the dirt bucket through the sidewalk at
Liberty-st the other end Of the operating plant
is likely to be at Cedar-st. The work will all be
done from side of the street, in about the
same manner excavated in Park Row in
front of the Postoffice. The dirt will be lifted
in the power buckets and dumped on a platform
under which people will be able to walk with
safety. and from the platform it will fall down
chute into the wagons.
AS / said before. the greater part of the
work will be done at night. Why viii it not be
a good idea for the folk who are growing ap-
prehensive over what may happen in the future
10 wait and how the work is handled in
lower Broadway? The chief engineer of the
Rapid Transit Commission said in interview
not long ago that ne expected to get some valu-
able points from watching the lower Broadway
section and that his plans would be shaped to
some extent by the results secured there. AS
there will be nothing done in practical way
on the upper Broadway subway until some time
next yeaR il seems TO me that II is premature to
make so many objections before any plans ale
discussed