The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-19
FOR new EAST RIVER TUNNEL.
METROPOLITAN SCORES A POINT
on BELMONT INTERESTS.
Rapid Transit Board KILLS for Good and
All the Moving Platform, scheme
and FaNors New Route 70 Queens
Long Island Railroad To Hen nj.

LONG lSl6nO HulrOau u ben NJ.
The Rapid Transit Commission laid out
yesterday new tunnel under the East
River, joining this borough and Long Island
City. 1t will run from Thirty-fonrth street
to terminal near the Long Island Railroad
station in Long Island City
The determination to map out this new
route was reached after the commission
had once more, and this time for keeps,
killed the Thirty-fourth street moving
platform scheme. When the commission
had concluded that the crosstown subway
under Thirty-fourth street should he
four track electric railroad, President Orr
announced that at the request Of a pros
pective bidder for this line" the resolu-
ton had been redrawn 80 as to allow for
an extension Of the Thirty-fourth street
line from point between Second and Third
avenues, thence northeasterly under private
property to First avenue and again under
private property to the East River at Thirty
fifth street. continuing then under the
river to Front street, Long Island City.
to Borden avenue and then under Jackson
avenue to a terminal at Fifth street.
Mr.. Orr declined to make known the
identity Of the bidder, but 1t was learned
that the request came from the Metropolitan
interests. The action Of the commission
in agreeing TO the Metropolitan's proposal
was a jolt for the Belmont people. There
is little doubt that the Metropolitan, because
of the advantages it can offer in the way
OF transfers, the more comprehensive
routes it has selected and the fact that the
commission wishes to have a competitor
ha wi "a
contract for the new subways in this
borough.
Now the Metropolitan is seeking to invade
a territory which August Belmont has re-
garded as his own. Mr.. Belmont controls
the trolley car system OF Queens. and to
join that system with Manhattan he bought
the old Steipway tunnel franchise. He had
bill introduced in Albany to correct some
Of the defects in the franchise, but the bill
was not passed. He had been assured by
his friends that it would go through next
year. The new tunnel will not only parsilei
the Stein way tunnel but it will be possible
to extend it to Jamaica, Flushing and other
points in Queens. 1t can also be made to
tap the projected subway running through
Broadway. williamsburg
Further, the tunnel can be used to dis
tribute the traffic Of the Long Island Rail-
road in this city. 1t Is known that the
Metropolitan interests are working in har
mony with the Pennsylvania and Long
Island railroads. The subway which the
commission approved yesterday, and which
viii run from the Pennsylvania terminal
IN Manhattan to the Long Island Railroad
station, can be used for the Long Island
trains. That company is already expert
menting with electric motors.
There was no hint OF the surprise which
was to come in the elrly part OF the meeting
when representatives Of the marlborough
company made a last fight for the moving
platform under Tnirty fourth street. At
the last meeting Of the board 1t was decided
to leave the matter open by dra wing alter
nate plans for Thirty fourth street.
Edward NJ. Shepard, special counsel to
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, who
Transit Commission wrote that the act
did not empowe the commission TO make
such alternative plans.
George w. Wickersham, counsel to the
PETERBOROUGH, contended that there was
nothing In the &C. which de It imperative
that the board should present some specific
me.nOO OF COnS'TuCtiOn AT tne tlIne IL was
only obtaining the necessary consents
for routes. Albert B. Boardman, one Of
counsel to the commission, agreed with
Mr.. Shepard, while George L, Rives the
other, was non -committal.
President Orr proposed that the difficulty
be overcome by finding out there and then
how many Of the Commissioners favored
the wing platform. A motion was ma dc
that the platform method of transportation
should not he further considered by the
board, and the resolution was carried unani-
mously.
George s. Rice was appointed yesterday
chief engineer to the commission. Since
the beginning OF the year, when William
Barclay Parsons resigned, Mr.. Rice has
been acting chief engineer at salary Of
$4,000. In his new place he will receive
5000.