New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-27
A CHANCE FOR BROOKLYN.

The rapid transit proposition brought for
ward by the Metropolitan is one which should
arouse the interest and the careful thought Of
the people OF Brooklyn. They have hitherto
shown a remarkable blindness IN letting their
welfare as dependent through transit be sacri-
feed to the selfish purposes OF those who have
covered their designs by noisy appeals 20 local
pride and separatist sentiment At one time IL
looked as II they might succeed In preventing
the extension OF the present subway as a single
system under the East River. and while the
matter was pending Brooklyn's indifference TO
its ultimate interest was astonishing. Like
wise il seems willing TO be dazzled by the pros
pect Of a S16OOOOOO bridge which may be built
some time or other when II might speedily Sc
cure transit facilities equally valuable by less
spectacular sacrifice to private interests which
arrogate to themselves the right to represent all
Brooklyn in transit matters.
An important feature OF the Metropolitan plan
Is a crosstown subway IN Chambers-st, connect
ing the proposed West and East Side lines II
this system is TO be built at all that Cham
bers-st. subway should be extended east from
NiIiam-st and under the East River 10 Brook
lyn, where It would conveniently connect with
the elevated railroads there, giving them the
facilities which It is fondly imagined they may
ut some far-of day secure from the extrava-
CANT Manhattan Bridge, OF which the founda-
tons for one tower alone are visible TO any
thing but the eye Of faith. From time TO time
rumor is heard that the Metropolitan is going
to absorb the Brooklyn Rapid Transit. If It
does, such a tunnel would be the natural con-
nection Of the two systems. making possible
through trains from Harlem to South Brook
lyn and 10 East New-York. IL the consolida-
ton does not take place. It should be possible
to make a traffic arrangement by which the
Brooklyn elevated trains would come far
as Hudson-st in the Metropolitan subway. max
ing direct connection with both East and West
Side lines. That would be much more con-
venient for Brooklyn passengers than anything
that seems in prospect from the Manhattan
Bridge, which would land them up in the neigh
borhood of the Bowery and Canal-st. II would
not be difficult to adjust grades in Brooklyn 70
carry the elevated tracks into a tunnel, and the
destruction OF real estate values and the dis
turbance Of surface traffic would be less than
from the long elevated approach TO the projected
bridge.
The Metropolitan does not give any intimation
Of the financial features Of its plan, but as Mr.
Belmont once offered TO build new subways
without any loan OF the citys credit, 1t is rea-
sonabe 10 suppose that the Metropolitan in
trying TO compete with him will make an equal
" favorable offer. 1t may be expected that a
spur under the East River as a part Of the
system would be built OF terms nearly II not
quite as good, certainly for no more than the
Interborough is receiving for the South Ferry
tunnel. Compared with a bridge which will
cost not less than $16,OOO.OOo. and perhaps be
finished I'm seven years. a tunnel which would
serve practically the same purpose in three or
four years would be cheap II it cost twice as
much as the Interborough's.