New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-24
BIG FRANCHISE GRANTED
Route Is to Connect Pennsylvania
and Ne1c-HaUen Roads.

The Rapid Transit Board heard argument yes
terday on the application Of the New-York Con-
Meeting Railroad Company for a franchise. This
company was formed by the Pennsylvania and
the New-YOrk. New-Haven ara Hartford Rail-
road companies TO accomplish the easy trans
fer Of freight between the ternini of the two
lines. The route projected is from Cireenvile
Bay, Jersey City. by ferry to South Brook
Ign; thence over the tracks owned by the Penn
sylvania to Ridgewood; thence by viaduct to the
East River; thence by bridge. 135 feet high.
across the river and Wards and RandalTs ISL
ands, the tracks will reach the Mott Haven
yards of the New-Haven road. The federal
authorities have already given the permit for
the bridge and the rapid transit commissioners
are asked for a franchise for the viaduct section
from Queens to the river and for the bridge
No one present opposed the granting OF the
franchise. George c. Moore and Frank Harvey
Field declared that the extension. a trunk line
connection with the entire country was de-
manded unanimously by the manufacturers of
Brooklyn and Queens.
We believe said Mr.. Field. that Brooklyn
is so much more favorabIy situated for manu-
facturers than Manhattan that it will be only
a short time before Brooklyn win outstrip Man
haitian if this railroad is built. 1t will give US
both passenger and freight connection with the
Eastern States"
The board voted unanimously. with the excep-
ton OF the Mayor. to grant the franchise to the
New-York Connecting Railroad Company The
Mayor voted present" because the question will
come before him as Mayor.
Isidor Straus opposed the extension Of the
New-Yorz and Jersey Railroad Company's tun-
mel crosstown to Fourth-ave. by way Of Chris
TOPPER and Ninth SITS He said
We want the tunnel to go up Sixth-ave and
the further the better. We have here a brief
petition to this effect bearing 800 names, coll
lected in only two days Of merchants represent
ing hundreds of millions of dollars in business
and real estate"
Controller Grout opposed Mr.. Strauss posi-
ton, favoring the extension east which would
tap all tunnels north and south either built or
projected. Mr.. Straus wanted the original prop
ostion Of the company TO go through calling for
a tunnel At Thirty-third- st and Sixth-ave
We trying 10 keep that section Of the city
in the vicinity of Sixth-ave, with its hotels and
theatres" said Controller Grout, for the whole
city, and not for the people from Jersey or the
shOpkeepers"
How far viii this tunnel from Christopher
and Ninth SITS. go across town." asked Mayor
Mcclellan.
AS far as Third-ave.' said President Orr.
Others also spoke in favor OF the Sixth-ave
extension
The argument In favor Of the extension OF the
Jersey tunnel up Sixth-ave. was pressed. II was
declared that not 10 permit It's building would
have tendency to hurt property values in that
district. It asked whether the board was
apt pass the y plication for the extension TO
Third-ave- After canvass it vas seen that
that project could not be passed.
No decision reached.
August Belmont sent a communication, urging
that. in accordance with the suggestion OF the
American Scenic and Historic Preservation So
Ciety. the names Of the subway stations IN the
West Side at one cumberland "A fty-seventh-st
and One-hundred- and ghty-frst-st. be changed
10 Audubon Park" and Fort Washington" re-
spectively. on the suggestion OF Mayor McClel-
Ian and Controller CroUt the request de-
nj