The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-28
WHAT WAS SAID AT CITY HALL
A VOTE OF SYMPATHY FOR THOSE
WHO SUFFERED BY THE WORK.

President Orr Hopes That the City VIII
Deal Generously With Them without
Appeals to the Courts-The Mayors
PrOphesies-JOhn Ii. McDOnald's Talk
President Fornes who started the speech
making In the City Hall when the subway
was formally declared open, dwelt on the
loyal backing the citizens of New York
had given to the great project. Then he
introduced Mayor Mcclellan, who said:
Without rapid transit Greater New York
would be little more than Il geographcal
expression. 1t is no exaggeratio ion TO say
that without marlborough communication
Greater New York would never have come
into being. Every step in the direct ion Of
only the borough immed iately affected. but
benefits the city as whole. The constant
shifting Of population among the borouEhs.
acting and reacting upon them. results in the
increase Of the population Of all.
We have met here to-day for the purpose
of turning over page In the history OF New
York. for the purpose of MARKING the advent
OF a new epoch in her development. II this
about TO open proves as popular and as sue
cessful as ! confidently expect it TO be. il
will be only the first Of many more which
perfect system OF interborough commun-
cation. When that day rrlves borough
will be nmd Sas FOR
come, and only conscious OF the fact that
the world has ever seen, VIII be actuated by
common hope and united in common
destiny
done SO we'll, it would be futile and invidous
to distinguish among those TO whom praise
who have deserved well of the city she must
include the names of all who have had to do
with this work, whether Of the Chamber OF
S cineers or contributors: for ali have served
the public faithfully and well But the great
est honor and the greatest glory is due to the
spirit of the people themselves. without
which this work would never have been un-
dertaken. and without which 1t could never
have been brought 10 successful conclu-
sion.
President Alexander f. Orr of the Rapid
Transit Commission delivered the longest
speech. 1t contained these interesting
points:
1t ia not our wish TO refer to the distressing
actual personal loss. which some Of our fellow
citizens incurred during the process of con-
TO % Ss ' aess hs
ia the future. and TO express the hope that
kindly consideration will be extended to
the Installation of this great public good
Ii Is impossible to construct a work Of this
character so near the street surface without
causing more or less inconvenience. II not
positive loes to residents along its line. but
In view Of the advantages secured to the
many, ana tine great pecuTlhTN DeueUt the
city will enjoy through enhanced taxable
siSl snV this s'G muniSipsi,y should be generous
th ht those u who suffer should be Undermined
for all physical loss without being com
PEELED to seek a preHarious relief through the
suits. Ills not the spirit OF American citizen
ship to desire to profit by such unavoidable
and just compensation can be brought within
easy reach
have proved Of inestimable value in hasten.
ing the city's development, and also great
personal convenience as 10 time, but they
light and ventilation in the congested streets.
in many instances injurc the value OF abutting
property and AZ times are subject to serious
question whether further elevated railroad
building will hav" many advocates in the
TERRITORY OF for bridge approaches. or that II
would have been advocated, in the first
instance. If the electric conditions of to-day
/ also desire on behalf Of the commission
to express the hope that In future subway subway
t The routes. j, Is true that these pipe, gal.
sres are not In any IsHdd Tsnsa re-
they could be put in place, at minimum
lion would prevent the Inconvenience Of
continual street disturbance In the future.
and would, We believe, prove prontable
source OF revenue TO the city In proportion to
their cost.
yice-President John s. Starin reviewed
the history OF the rapid transit rsoject,
In his address he said:
For nearly fifteen years have wished and
hoped and striven and In bored for the result
which has now at last been rea lized. The
struggle has not always been an easy one
for my associates or for myself, From
an examination of the records OF the COM
mission up to this time, one can secure but
measr, idea Of the real labors of the several