The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-19
WAR ON BRIDGE LOOP.
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD STILL
DELAYS FINAL ACTION.

There as ArEuments hut Not Allowed
in Evidence -Stm No Result Reached.
Perhaps the l~iveliest session OF the Rapid
Transit Board in the many years Of its
existence was held yesterday afternoon
when a hearing was given on the question
whether the bridges 10 Brooklyn should be
connected by an elevated or an under
ground loop. The matter has been before
the board in one form or another for the
last six years, and every argument for and
against both schemes has been presented
time and again.
Thosa who hoped that the matter would
he settled yesterday were disappointed.
After a war Of words which lasted two
hours and in which Comptroller Metz and
Lawrence WELLER, secretary Of the City
Club. who was conducting the opposition
TO the elevated loop. nearly came to blows
the board went into executive session and
voted down a resolution offered by Vice.
President Starin to begin at once the sub
way loop. The question of building the
elevated loop was not taken up. as it was
known that IL was not possible to get the
necessary six votes to pass it.
The board room was packed when the
bearing began. Among those present was
a delegation Of East Side women with their
babies in their arms Who got them there
could not be learned. but it is said that
some Of those opposed to the elevated loop
- -.tn- -. ,,aa NkAaa a. an awhtkfN IN
support of the argument that an elevated
structure in Delaney street would infer
iere with the pleasure and comfort Of the
residents, If this was the scheme II died
s-borning, for at the opening Of tina hear
ing Comptroller Metz insisted that all mat
ter concerning light and air be barred.
James McKeen, representing the subway
loop committee Of Brooklyn, spoke against
the elevated project and declared that there
we're many citizens.in Kings who were with
them in this opposition.
Are any of the names you have on your
LIST those OF gentlemen who cross the bridge
in the rush hours?" asked Comptroller Metz
sharply.
They are the names Of some OF the load
ing citizens Of Brooklyn etortod Mr.,
McKeen.
oh, yes, I know Them lser.d the Comp
troller. They ar>aIl doctors and lawyers
and clergymen. n one Of them ever has TO
cross the bridge in tho rush hours, and none
Of them knows how bad the situation really
is, There isn't a wnrkingman who has To
earn his bread in thu lot.
F. W. Hinrichs then presented a dark
picture OF what might happen u a private
corporation should get control Of the traffic
on the three bridges to Brooklyn. why
said he, there might be a great strike among
the men operating these cars which would
J~aralyze traffic completely between the two
boroughs, and the city would be poeTerless
10 interfere"
After several others had spoken against
the elevated loop Mr.. WELLER ook the floor
for a moment to express regret that all who
we're opposed to any new elevated strIctnr"
In the city could not be heard.
why, there are twenty more citizens
lere who would like 70 speak on this sub
ject y he cried.
You mean there are a hundred here who
want to speak," put In Mr.. Metz. We
have heard the whole business before.
'Well. that is just what you are hero for
shouted MIR. WELLER, shaking his forefinger
at the Comptroller.
we have been listening to this thing for
six years" retUTned Mr.. Metz in a loud
voice. and we nave been listening to you.
lir. WELLER. for ten years.
There was another row when ex-Park
Commissioner Eustis Of The Bronx was
- treaking. He had said hat one could trave
from one end OF the Paris subway to the
ether for two cents,
Well, they don't pay the prevailing rate
Of wages there, piped up a man in the back
At the room. BY this time there was much
confusion at the meeting and many people
tried to talk at once. The Comptroller and
Secretary WELLER got into another verbal
row in which they shook fingers at each
other again. Mr.. Metz's emark were to
the effect tina the City Club was always
lutting in and that it did not represent
anything, anyway.
who does Metz representa-" came in a
loud voice from a crowd Of spectators who
we're standing.
The B. r. T." was the answer hat came
lack in chorus and there we're Kisses, boots
and groans.
After Vice-President Frank Bailey Of the
Title Guarantee and Trust Company a
spoken for the elevated loop as the only
possible solution OF the congestion on the
bridge in rush hours Luke d. StapletOn
made an argument in favor OF the same
scheme. in the course Of which he said some
pretty bitter things about the members OF
the subway loop committee who are oppos-
ing it.
They belong said he, "to that irritating
segment Of mankind who think they know
What the people want better than the people
themselves. The people who are laborious
instead Of loquacious want this improve
ment."
Mr.. StapletOn put the matter Of delay
up directly to the Rapid Transit Commits
eioners.
How long; said he, speaking directly
to the board, will you abuse the patience
Of the ~people?" There was tremendous
applause when he asked this question.
The Rev. Newell Dwight Hills, pastor
OF Plymouth Church in Brooklyn. made
an imprisoned plea for the elevated loop.