New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-18

couldn't run cars through the tunnel in IT'S pres
Chief Engineer Rice-we could set them
through. 80. -.
gacnn 4 depression Of two feet in the funnelE
CHIEF Engineer Rice-Yes. in the grade OF the
tunnel as first laid down. But that Is not At al
Mayer Arcclellan-Esn't it a fact that the
cheerful Mr.. Pegram says That II VIII tahe
sixteen months before cars VIII be running!
Chief Engineer Rice started 20 answer. but
the Mayor started in again as follows;
And ISN'T ATg, Pegram patching Up the defects
Chief Engineer Rice-Yes; they are using the
freezing process ON top OF the tunnel where
President orT-what is the cause of the de-
preston IN the tubes?
Chief Engineer Rioe-The cause Of the set
Element in the tubes is due TO the manner in
which the work was done.
Mayor McClean-Isn't il a fact that the
contractor says that the fault was with the
original plans?
Chief Engineer Rice-There has been such "a
claim but e is not a fact.
Mayor McClellan-What is the clearance an
the Pennsylvania tunnel-nine inches?
Chief Engineer Rice-T think about that. but
I don't remember.
Mayor MeClelIan-Isn't il fact that Mr.
Jacobs says that about twelve hundred feet OF
the work viii have TO be rebuilt?
Chief Engineer Rice-Perhaps so, but II so
he Is in error.
Mayor McClellan-And doesn't he think. too
that II viii take two or three years?
Chief Engineer Rtce-That may be his opin-
iOn. What I expect will be done is that the
work viii go ahead the same as usual and
that as soon as the tubes meet the work OF
more than six weeks.
Mayor Meclellan-You say what should be
zone zone ana what You expect What we want TO
Know IS when will cars be running?
uaFy. -
Mayor McClellan-But II Mr. Jacobs is right
~ VIII take two three yEeorG 10Doar Qua aSyoy,
~ the cheerful Mr.. Pegram IS right Il will take
eight or ten months longer?
Chief Engineer Rlce-Yes
mayor MeClellan-Mr. Chairman / move that
the chief engineer report az the next meeting an
IS oo ~ OF me work In the Brooklyn sub
N9y- II seems TO me that we should have been
before this.
A resolution Of the Allied civic Associations
Of the 9Th Ward OF the Borough of Queens was
read, in which protest was made against CIV
Ing franchises TO any railroad unless the said
railroad stipulated that Il would not charge
more than prevailing rates for passengers and
freight.
Engineer Rice reported that wires were being
laid in ducts along East 18th street to connect
with the subway TO furnish electric power from
the latter TO the surface lines. Counsel Rives
said that he had discussed the question with
counsel for the InteFborough company. and that
the latter contended they did not need the city's
permission. The question is similar" con-
cluded Mr.. Rives. ito that of the slot machines,
and the court will have TO decide IT,"
Controller Metz said that il would be all right
for the PETERBOROUGH TO use the excess Of power
provided the revenue so derived be deducted
from the operating expenses 20 the city The
question was referred to counsel for further in
vestigation.
Controller Metz said after the meeting that,
as he figured it. the borrowing capacity OF the
city for the year 1906 was about SGO.OOO.OOO net.
He continued:
But there IS one thing that seems to be lost
sight OF in this controversy and that is that the
year, and the year following her borrowing
capacity would be increased proportionately
Work could go on from year TO year and be paid
for in instalments.
There is another question open to debate, and
that is whether or not bonds issued should be
considered as assets OF the city or not. It is a
grave question.
Reverting again to the Mayors figures. the
Controller said: II don't know whether the
Mayor got those figures from my Office or not.
but / have not been able myself to get such
figures. Some one may lose his Job, perhaps
concluded the Controller. significantly.
Chief Engineer Rice, in commenting on the
tunnel matter last night said:
The depression in the tunnel is not serious
matter. The tunnel should be a perfect circle
lhteen feet in diameter. Instead Of that there
has been a slight hattening due TO pressure
on top. so that the diameter lacks two or three
inches OF being as contemplated. The depres-
sion Is being corrected by taking out the bot
tom plates and substituting others that will
make up for the depression. There is no defect
3n the tunnel plates. These depressions occur
81 every tunnel We have known OF Il for a
long time. Il was reported on nearly two years
ago. when Mr.. Parsons was chief We have
withheld $4,000 from the contractor on the
work.