New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-20
MAYOR FOR ) CENT FARE
HE And BEST ARE APART.
Railroads Insist That Eight Cent
arrangement Is Temporary, but

Mayor Mcclellan and his Bridge Commissioner.
Mr.. Best. considerable distance apart the
question OF allowing the surface railroads to
charge a three cent fare the Williamsburg
Bridge without giving transfers Commissioner
Best says that the shuttle trains will be operated
from July to October by the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company. and that the company will be
allowed to charge five cents for two tickets. At
the bridge ends anothe- fare will be exacted when
the passenger takes a to his destination
Mayor Mcclellan says that separate three cent
fare is well enough for a passenger crossing che
bridge proper. but that a FIVE fare should
carry a passenger across the bridge to his Brook
lyn destination. the same as It does now over the
Brooklyn Bridge
The Mayor said no intimatioa had been made
several weeks ago. when it was agreed that both
the New-York City Railway Company. the Brook
Ign Rapid Transit and the Coney Island and
Brooklyn lines Jointly the bridge. that
an eight cent fare was a possibility. 1t then
clearly stated and understood that the people
would be carried from any point in Brooklyn 20
the Manhattan end OF the bridge from any
point in Manhattan TO the Williamsburg end o:
the bridge for single fare.
Chief Engineer o. F Nichols said that it was
true that the companies would probably insist on
an eight cent fare tenporariy-Untu such time as
they could run through over the bridge
Mr.. Nichols said he understood the three COM
panies interested intend 10 form independent
company to be known as the Bridge Company
As soon as the bridge tracks down cars would
be operated by this independent company. and a
three cent fare two tickets for five cents would
be charged When the connections were made at
both ends he understands that the local bridge
service would be cut down 10 practically nothing.
as the through cars will b able to handle all the
traffic.
Mr.. Nichols asked II It was not rather I'M
usual for the three companies 70 10 the trouble
and expense Of incorporating the Bridge Com
pany II the functions OF that corporation were to
Ias o-r1- few He did know
about that but was certain that the Bridge De-
partment had no intention of letting the companies
charge an eight cent fare for any considerable
time.
Il don't see what other arrangement can be
made he continued Here we've along for
more than a wear. waiting for some one or the
companies TO do something; but. like AlphOnse and
CASTOR they have politely waited one on the other
I understand that they are not overanxious to go
ahead even now. and we are even to-day confronted
with the possibility Of having TO operate our own
bridge cars like we did years the old bridge
That would have to be a three cent basis. and II
we can get these companies 10 do as was. don't
see why it would not be good business to let them
do that temporarily
c-or,rofssioner Best was then asked this question:
Mr.. Best. don't you understand this 10 be about
the situation: The several companies find them
selves in q position 10 make anybody using ths
williamsburg Bridge pay an eight-cent rare ror
from sixty to ninety days. or more. ana propose 10
make them do it2'
Il guess that's about it." was the reply Of the
Commissioner
Both Mr. Nichols and COMMISSIONS Best said
that they would try TO get the companies TO give
the transfers from the beginning. but their re-
marks indicated that they had no great hope OF
getting this concession
John r. CaIderwoOd general manager OF the
brooklyn Rapid Transit Company. said to a Trib-
une reporter last night:
We can't afford 10 give this transfer because the
shuttle will be entirely separate and apart
from our other service. and unless We charge
fare for 1t. would be operating 1t at dead loss
1t is only temporary eXpedient. designed 10 De
OF service the public until all the tracks and
loops are ready (Which will be about October l.
l think. Then shall our regular lines
straight the bridge TO Manhattan. and the
public may rest assured that they Will get
through ride the other side Of the river for ve
cents II we establish the shuttle service, shall
have to get a special equipment Of cars suitable
for use both the conduit and trolley systems
and shall have employ extra We could not
afford 10 give transfers TO these cars under the
circumstances
President Winter OF the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company said:
The Brooklyn Bridge railroad problem is a mill
stone on our necks. just as the Williamsburg
Bridge is likely be. 1t costs us. a conserva-
tive estimate, about $4,000 year to operate
the Brooklyn Bridge. Deduct sol. 757
brought IN from the local bridge passengers. and
you get annual loss of $773 232. AS a business
proposition. ashamed OF this contract, which
Is about seven-tenths out.