New-York tribune., 1906-06-08
RISKS HEAD ON TUNNEL
RICE ANSWERS MAYOR.
MAYOR.
Bore To BE Finished by January I.
.Sags Chief Engineer.

Mavor Mcclellan. at the meeting OF the Rapid
Transit Commission yesterday. again demanded
Of Chief Engineer Rice a statement fixing the
date of the completion Of the Brooklyn tunnel.
Mr. Rice repeated HIS former prediction. that the
tunnel would be ready the first Of next year. He
has left one bridge unburned. however. by de-
claring that according to the present rate of
progress. and II no Unforeseen obstacles prevent.
the tunnel viii be ready at that time.
Mayor Mcclellan asked. after the minutes had
been read:
-As understand it, Mr.. Rice you stake your
reputation on the fact that the Brooklyn tunnel
VIII be finished by January next?"
Il think it will be"
Then you stake your Official head on that
proposition"
Yes"
VERY well. I am satisfied with that"
Asked about the report Of Engineer Jacobs
Ngr Rice said in answer to the Mayors ques-
tion that he had seen the report but in conh-
dence only.
Then" said the Mayor. "you had access to
q report which you did not submit to this
board?"
well" said Mr.. Rice. Mr.. Bryan, vice-presi-
dent of the Interborough Rapid Transit Com
pany told me he would let the board see 1t II II
desired 10 do SO"
Nr Rice's report was not read. but was sub
nit
Mr. Rice presented a supplemental report on
the conditions of the Brooklyn tunnel, in which
he says
AT no portion Of the tunnel already con-
structed is there any place where train could
not now be run through: but it is considered
necessary 10 readjust the grades TO a line which
will permit the operation Of trains at the highest
speed"
In his report, presented at the meeting of the
board held two weeks ago to-day, Mr.. Rice said:
Last February the contractor called in con-
sultafion well known tunnel engineer. and
report made suggesting method that, in
my opinion. was iI advised. The reconstruc-
ton according to his estimate. would involve an
expenditure Of nearly SL0OOOOO. and it would
take fifteen months TO complete the work"
Before the matter was disposed Of. Mayor Nc
Clenan requested a copy of the report. In to-
days supplemental report, Chief Engineer Rice
says regarding this matter:
Pursuant to the request of the Mayor TO fur
nish a copy of the report referred 10, lnme-
dately wrote TO August Belmont asking per-
mission 10 use thar report 20 which Mr.. Belmont
'eSi'o''0'l % -0'-' May %. 1906.
My Dear Mr.. Rice: I have received your
letter Of Nav 22 in regard 10 the Brooklyn tun-
mel and regret that I cannot send you a copy
of Mr.. Jacobs report except by the authority
OF our board. Believe me, yours very truly.
While 10 a certain extent, il is always prob
lematcal TO predict just how work will progress,
Il seems TO that. taking the progress that
has already been made. this is a fair representa-
tion Of what may be expected, and on this sup
position / have based my prediction that the
tunnel will be ready for operation by the hrst
OF the year.
The material which We have encountered in
the East River is such that, while il permits OF
a less rapid progress than the material which
was found in the North River, ii can always be
depended upon TO maintain the tubes in a safe
and permanent position
Accompanying the report were two drawings
showing In plan and section, I'm true proportions.
the north and south tubes. including all portions
OF the tubes that, in any particular depart from
the theoretical lines. and the extent OF such di-
Nergence. Several sectional drawings of the
tubes. taken at different points, showing the
interior lines OF the tubes where generally most
deforned, also accompanied the repor,.
Reporting on the burning Of the subway cars
Friday last. Mr.. Rice said, in part:
As result Of the collision two copper
sheathed cars were practically destroyed, a third
badly scorched. and the interior Of two steel
cars burned and sCOTched.
The subway structure was not injured either
as a result Of the collision or fire. No persons
have been reported TO me having been in
jured. This accident forcibly indicates several
points.
First-No parts Of cars used in subway SER
vice should be constructed Of infammable ma
terial
Second-An adequate fire line service should
be installed throughout the whole subway SO
that water could be had interior points
Third-Means should be provided for quickly
removing the smoke from the subway in such
emergencies.
Are these recommendations Of 0Ir. Rice aca-
demic Mr Riveso" asked the Mayor
q think not merely academic" answered Mr..