New-York tribune., 1906-06-16
ARGUE u" LOOP PLAN
BROOKLYNITES IN FORCE.
st. CLAIR cKel7oay and J. E.. S70an-
strom Head Delegation.

Headed by St Clair McKelway and J. Edward
swanstrom large delegation of Brooklynites ap-
peared before the Board of Estimate yesterday and
argued on the proposition of requesting the Rapid
Transit Commission to lay out elevated railroad
route in Delancey from the terminus of the
Williamsburg Bridge to the elevated structure In
the boWery and to empower the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company TO double deck the ele-
Vateo from Delaney street to the Brooklyn Bridge
Bridge Commissioner Stevens is the father of the
plan which, If adopted is believed TO be the sou-
ton for the relief of tho present congested and
crowded condition on both bridges. The opposition
was led by Charles B. Slower who was the first
speaker
In opposing the elevated loop plan Mr. Slower
said that the people he represented were In thor
ough accord with the people OF Brooklyn that re-
Iet should be provided for the present conditions
he SAID that If the construction of two or more
elevated tracks Delaney street were the only
way of relieving the conditions he would be
III IaVor or their construction. He argued that
"hHe IL was asserted that the elevated structure
would be temporary. 1t was extremely probable
that 1t would not be taken down in generation or
more. He cited that the Battery Park elevated
was originally intended to be temporary. but has
remained twenty-five years. and all efforts to re-
move it have been fruitless
Mr.. Stover said that the real relief would he
obtained by the construction of subway route No
D. which Is now before the Board of Rapid Transit
commissioners. He said that if it could be shown
that this subway, which would connect with the
Williamsburg Bridge. would give the relief desired
ne felt sure that the Brooklyn people would prefer
1t to the elevated loop.
Isn't it unwise." said Mr. Slower when the CITY
~ going TO ask for subway bids to permit the
extension of elevated structures in either of the
borOughS?"
MT StoVer said that the subway loop No. 9, which
IS proposed to go through Marion and Centre
streets, connecting with the present subway at Elm
street and with the Williamsburg Bridge would
oiVert traffc from the Brooklyn Bridge it
would take passengers from south of the Brooklyn
Bridge entrance over the Williamsburg Bridge He
declared further that the subway loop proposed
could be built as quickly as the elevated structure
II prompt action were taken by the Rapid Transit
Commission
In a speech which was devoted principally to a
denunciation Of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Fred
erick w Hinrchs, of Brooklyn, opposed the plan.
arguing that the same inadequate service that the
company provides Brookynites would prevail in
Manhattan If the bridges and loops turned
over to the company. Ex-senator Henry Marshall,
representing the Brooklyn Central Transit League,
argued against the loop elevated plan in favor of
subway construction.
Miss Lillian D. Wall and Miss Julia Richmond
opposed the elevated construction the ground
that it would make the physical conditions of the
East Side worse than they at present.
Denouncing the present conditions at the bridges.
which entail vast amount of Inconvenience and
suffering many thousands who nightly the
BRIDGE Mr.. Swanstrom led the supporters of the
proposition. They have steadily grown worse, he
said, until at present they amount to a grave
public scandal" He said that 1T is question of
life death that Brooklyn is up against" Con-
tinuing. he said:
the for subways will die out I believe that,
t6e hideons nosV STRUCTURES 50 that we
have become accustomed to, but TO handsome via,
to afford playground room for children.
He was followed by DIR. McKelway. who declared
that most of those who opposed the elevated loop
plan did not represent the people of the East Side
for whom they were so solictous
We'll. If they don't I do" interposed Borough
President Ahearn
II hope you in the convertible minority re-
piled DR.. McKelway. amid much applause.
He said in part:
The cure is as plain the injustice is unspeak-
vated structure to be built on Delancey street Con
meet that with the existing elevated structure on
Brooklyn Bridge and could easily be artcuated with
o m use ee G9 bn be- ce
Joined with the maximum of existing construction.
manifestly simple The financial proposition is rela-
Relief would be absolute and could be speedily
secured The recourse suggested is the only one
ask or expect that recourse to be made permanent
| We are willing 1t should absolutely terminate when
termination by making the city Itself the builder,
the Ink II we afe Wiling the o RsVe
violably and unalterably stipulated. To that we
Declaration. our lives. fortunes and our sacred
honor
We would end a condition OF torture peril and in
decency. 1t need not be set forth in detail 1t IS
| known to be monumentally disgraceful. 1t ex-
hausts patience. 1t endangers life. It Injuries many
| and II tntimidates even more It exceeds forbear-
| and II shames civilization.
Ex-Controller Edward NJ Grout. the Rev. DR.. S.
Parkes Cadman and Congressman Edward NJ.
Bassett also spoke in favor of the plan, each side
| having forty minutes for argument. After the
| discussion the subject referred to committee
| composed of the President of the Board of Alder
| men, thS Controller and the five Borough Presi-
dents.
The Allied Civic Association of the 4th Ward
of the Borough OF Queens, at meeting held recent
| ly. adopted resolution supporting Commissioner
| Stevenson's plan and appointing a committee of
| three. which appeared at the hearing yesterday.
| The West End Citizens League Of the same ward
| adopted similar resolution.