New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
ONLY CIRCUIT SAYS NO"
Plans for High Speed Staten Island
Ferries ApproUed.

Controller Grout was beaten yesterday at a meet
ing OF the Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund.
when he opposed plans for the citys ferry service
70 Staten Island declaring that he believed the re-
suit could be attained with less expensive vessels
The MAN was submitted by Dock Commissioner
Feathersou, but originally prepared by Commits
sioner Hawkes.. Mr.. Featherson approved the pro-
posed high speed boats. but thought economy de-
rnanded less expensive terminals. and showed how
81 10000 might be saved Mr. CIRCUITS engineer.
Eugene Mclean suggested the substitution OF
lower power boats at a further decreased cost.
Two or three hundred Staten Islanders protested
against this saving. and it was decided TO ask an
opinion from Colonel T. A. Stevens. the consulting
engineer Of the Dock Department. The total cost
under Mr.. Hawkes. estimate was A5o0OOO. MI
Mclean got his figures from Gardner & Co., marine
architects, and letter from that firm contradict
ing the inference that the cheaper boats referred to
IN tho report by Mr. Mclean meant inferior service
was read at yesterdays meeting Gardner & Co
also sent a communication offering to construct
the boats planned BY Carey. Smith & Ferriss Mr.
Hawkes. architects at a much smaller price than
the latter quoted.
Colonel Stevens indicated his preference for tho
more costly boats on the ground that they would
undoubtedly give the better service. and that the
city should set a high mark IN its first entrance
into the ferry service. He said, however, that 1t
was impossible to make a fair comparison between
the plans OF Carey & Smith and the suggestions Of
Gardner & CO.
Colonel Stevens estimated that ths costlisr boat
all conditions being equal would make the pas
sage from two to three minutes faster than the
Gardner & Co.'S boat Tbs smaller boat he
said would save from thirty to forty seconds in
decking The larger boat would be more likely
10 maintain a schedule. because II sne lost any
time IN dock or otherwise. she could make 1t up
by her greater speed power. NOW Colonel Ste
vens." demanded Mr.. Grrout II YOU had land in
tcrcsts on Staten Island TO develop which boat
- should not be abs TO adopt either plan.
Neither would pay from commercial point OF
Don't YOU believe boats could be built from tho
suggestions OF Gardner & COX2' asked Mr. circuit
yes. / think they COuIG. They could not main
tai a schedule a more powerful boat could.
He believed the Carey-Smlth plans 10 De the
hest PRESENTED 50 far to fit the conditions.
on motion Of Alderman Mccall, the commission
voted in favor Of the report or Commissioners
Esstbarsou approving the Carey-Smith boats.
T>o-nes OF the Board Of Aldermen declared he be-
liayed the plan might have been adopted at less
cost to the city. but that IL would he moro costly
to de'9y than to authorize the outlay
Under the direction Of the commission tho DOCK
Co1rissIOuer Is authorized to get the boats. only
ma f0rty vote IS necessary 10 authorize tho
giving az such a contract. No action was taken
as 10 the terminals. To empower the city 70 take
tba recessary ground and erect the buildings
needed. unanimous consent or the commissioners
Of TIE Sinking Fund IS required .
7-rs accepted boats will cost, II Is estimated
Ss-0 90 each They are 70 nave n passenger ca
rarltv os three thousand each. and a speed power
- eighteen mile hour. There will be hvs of