New-York tribune., 1903-02-02
TUNNEL PLAN RETIpED.
Company Proposes to Bore from
Forfu-second-St. to Long Island.

After lying iale for ten years. while the company
constructing it nearly bankrupt, the tunnel
,lnder the East River between Forty-second-st-'
Manhattan and Long Island City will probably
som he rushed to completion. Plans for the tunnel
are all ready. so the work could begin to-day, ac-
rording TO John 8ogart, the engineer The New
York and Long island Railroad Company, owner
Of the franchise completely reorganized, has been
studying the question Of resuming the work for a
wear Now the plans completed. and practl-
caIly all preparations have been made for a con-
tinuasion Of the long delayed project.
Sixteen years ago a perpetual franchise was
granted to the New-York and Long Island Railroad
Company. OF which Malcom w. NiVen Is presl-
dent The Steinways and Louis Won Bernuth were
interested in the concern at that time. GROUND at
I-ourtl-st and Jackscn-aNe- Long Island CITY, was
acquired. shaft was sunk. and the work was pe-
ing hurried. when explosion of dynamite In the
tunnel killed two persons and injured scores.
Suits against the company were begun. practically
forcing il into bankruptcy All work was stopped.
Lately rumors of settlements Of these claims have
been prevalent. One story was that the PennsyI-
vania Railroad had bought the franchise ana
would the tunnel 10 connect the Long Island
Railroad and the Vanderbilt railroads Another
story was that the franchise was sold a year aso
10 z subway contractor. who was acting Tor the
Interborough Rapid Transit Company. He had, it
Was rumored. acquired property in Third and
Fourth sts Long Island City for terminal con-
1lectione.
These run1ors were denied yesterday by Malcom
" Niven. president of the New-York and Long
Island Railroad Company. His company. he SAID,
had never disposed Of the franchise. WITHIN
year, he continued the company had been quietly
reorganized. While the men who had bought the
stock were railroad men, the company was not con-
rroIed by any railroad. and would be entirely
Independent. The claims against the company were
bought 11p: acquired" ne said, and perhaps not
every one but ninety-nine out Of hundred were
satistled Then. after got the company in
shape. he continued e referred the case ,;,e 10
had lapSed because of non-use of the franchise.
The lawyers said tlt all the original rights were
alive. Now the company is in good shape again,
and u getting ready TO go ahead r tor a year
have been studying connections ana otler d.
fairs The original plans. years ago
y-are for tunnel connecting Nev-Jersey and Long
Island through which standard railroad Trains
The engineer John Bogart. could not say definite
/. when the work would be begun; the plans ne
said we're entirely complete The tunnel he De
cared. would run from Forty-second-st TO FOURTH
81 ong Island City. From there he added. II
might e extended by surface or elevated road 10
Frooklyn or Conev Island. II Is not planned at
!resent TO il with the subway IN TINS DOR
puEh furf her than to have II atoms where paseIi-
GERS can go from trains into the trains OF me
e,ll17-av There will he a transfer system, with
r1rre srraTeyen1ent in regard fares. The New
York and Long Island Railroad tunnel VIII run
under the subway. . . -
The original plans called for connections At the
Grand Central Station and the freight tracks IN
Fleyeu1h-aNc. This feature VIII propablE be re-
-afUed said.