New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-26
S. r. WOULD BUILD.
Declares august Belmont Opposed
to East Side Tunnel.

At meeting Of the East Side Rapid Transit
Association last night at the Hotel Savoy, Pres
ident Joseph 3. Bloomingdale who is also
chairman Of the executive committee read a
report Of the proceedings OF the committee since
its organization on December IA, 1903. speak
ing OF its presentation three days later OF a
petition to the Board OF Rapid Transit Rail-
road Commissioners. The Tribune has stead
lily advocated the construction of an East Side
subway. The assistance Of the press was re-
ferred to in MI Boomingdales report
The Rapid Transit Board he said was IN
favor Of an East Side tunnel but the funds
IN it's hands did not exceed 100000. and
legislation at Albany would be required to en-
able the board to undertake the work. Goa
troIler Grout and Edward N. Shepard, Of coUn-
sci to the board, were drafting bill to be pre-
scented to the legislature. The present subway
builders, Mr. Bloomingdale declared, were
showing unmstakable hostility to the project
August Belmont having written article in
which he discouraged further tunnel construc-
ton
Mr.. Bloomingdale said that there was no
doubt If an enabling act was passed by the
legislature there would be an offer on the part
Of at least one group Of capitalists. and prob
ably more. to construct the tunnel and operate
a railroad. Tho danger. he thought. was that
the bill might be defeated in the legislature.
MY Judgment is" said the chairman, that
the builders OF the present subway viii not fail
to be bidders IL the bill is passed and con-
tract offered. They viii naturally desire to bring
Gil subway railroads under their control but 1t
is clear that at this time they opposed to any
and all subway extensions. and their influence
unless overcome. is likely to do injury to our
cause at Albany. The Belmont interests must
be convinced that the citizens Of the East Side
are profoundly in earnest in their demand for
an East Side tunnel; that they have been too
long put Of, and that they are determined to
make their claims understood by the authori-
ties The public is being aroused, thanks TO the
efforts OF the press, whose valuable cooperation
is assured, and If an aggressive campaign IS
made no moneyed interests. however vast, viii
be able to defeat the viii Of the people"
IT would recommend that such action be taken
as will hasten the passage Of appropriate legis-
lation and that representatives OF the assoCia-
ton watch It's course in the legislature. Before
that is done however, this association should
define its position as to the route along which
II we commit ourselves at this time TO particu-
lar route considerable force viii be added to the
movement, and better results will be accom-
plished."
Owing to the small attendance ct the meet
ing no action was taken on Mr. BlOomingdale's
report regarding the laying out of a definite
route After general approval Of the report had
been expressed the meeting was adjourned until
next Monday.
Asked after the meeting what group Of capt.
talists he had IN mind who would be willing to
build the tunnel Mr.. Bloomingdale said that he
felt sure the Metropolitan Street Railway Com
pany, backed by the Whitney interests would
undertake the work when the time came for ac-
ton.