The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-20
FIRST BRIDGE LOOP BILL
TAKES POWERS AWAY FROM
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD

And Provides for the Building In One Year
by an independent COmmissl0n OF an
Elevated LOOp Between the Manhattan
Ends OF the Two Brooklyn ridges.
Assemblyman Edward c. Downing OF
Brooklyn will introduce into the Legisla-
ture at the opening session a bill which, II
enacted into law, will take out Of the hands
Of the Rapid Transit Commission all author
ity in regard TO the construction Of an ele-
waited loop between the Brooklyn and the
Williamsburg bridges. The bill has been
drawn by Edward H.. Wilson. an assistant
in the Corporation Counsel's Office in Brook
Ign.
Il is well known that Mayor Mcclellan
has beer in favor OF the construction OF q
loop as a means OF temporary relief, and
the action Of the Rapid Transit Commission
in turning down the proposition was OPP
posed by the Mayor.
The bill provides that II the Board OF
Estimate consents to the construction OF the
loop the Mayor Of the city, within ten days
after the board has acted, shall appoint five
persons, one of whom shall be a practical
civil engineer. to be known as the Bridge
Loop Commission The commission shall
HekeNv HH own OLuCShtS bot tHO heAS
named on the commission shall serve as the
chief engineer at a salary Of 5000 a year.
Each of the other commissioners shall re-
ceive 81, 900 a year. The term Of ONCE OF
each OF the commissioners shall cease upon
the completion Of the work, and in any event
not later than December 81, 1908, and the
commission is to have exclusive control.
The bill would authorize the commission,
A. unAnA 90 nr0na n nInna FOR
the construction OF an elevated railroad OF
two tracks running through Centre street.
thence to the Bowery and thence through
Delaney street to the Williamsburg Bridge.
The tracks in Manhattan may be either upon
the same level as the present elevated tracks
in Park row and the Bowery or upon such
level as the commission may determine.
provided they are so constructed as not TO
interfere more than is absolutely necessary
with light, air and access in buildings along
the route. The bowling bill would aiso
have the elevated put up with particular
regard for its "sightliness."
The bill authorizes the commission, with
the approval of the Board OF Estimate, 10
enter into contracts with any transportation
COMPANY operating elevated railroads IN
any part Of the city of New York for the
use OF the structure, either separately or
in connection with existing elevated strlc-
| lures. the contracts 10 cover uON IiOiV IMAM
five years. In the event Of the failure OF the
COMMISSIONER, with the approval OF the
board, to enter into a contract with any
transportation company they shall hle IN
the Office of the lily Clerk Of New YORK a
certificate to that effect, and then II shall
be obligatory upon the corporation or
corporations controlling the elevated rail
roads in the Borough Of Brooklyn immedi-
ately upon the completion of the said ele-
waited tracks to use the same "a may be
directed by said commissioners. The
bill provides further, in the event OF a fail
ure of the commission to enter into a con-
tract. that it shall apply 10 the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court for the APP
pointment of three commissioners who
shall, according TO the course and practice
of the court, determine what amount shall
be paid by the said corporation or corpora
tions TO the city of New York for the fran
chise to use the elevated structure, II the
franchise be of value. and also what amount
If any shall be paid by the city to the corpo-
ration for the operation of trains over the
structure. The usual provision for con-
sents or a court order as a substitute il
made.
1t was said yesterday that Assemblyman
Bowling has the promise OF several OF the
Republican organization men in Brooklyn
TO support the measure. His bill il prob
ABLY only one Of several that will come up
in the next Legislature in regard TO Brook
lyn transportation facilities.