New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-24
STOP BELMONT BLASTS.
NAY HALT TUNNEL WORK.
HagOr and Cabinet act to Settle
Steinzcay Franchise Question.

Mayor Mcclellan and Fire Commissioner O'Brien
tried yesterday 20 tie uu all work on the 7-o-a1-
tunnel under construction 10y the Belmont interests.
but they did not do IT, The contractors went aheao
with their work The only thing they stopped doing
was blasting, and that wait for several weeks
II necessary, while other construction work goes
forward.
Corporation Counsel Deiany gave the Mayor in
formation which prompted him 10 order the re-
calling OF permits for the use or combustbles in
the tunnel The permits were surrendered. The
tunnel work viii have 10 stop IN a few weeks unless
the city furnishes others.
When the chief engineer OF the tractors, the
Degnon Contracting Company. was seen last night
he said.
The rg2sao9 q Ps aT ba f25 the 6S g5 ions 81
but we are soinr ahead with the other classes of
work. We expect resume blasting in a DAY or
two, st is unreasonable 10 assume that the city
50 much for the comfort Of the travelling public
The action was taken as the result Of the COM
plant Of the City Club
Mayor Mcclellan asked II he had done any
thing about the other complaint Of the city Club
that the Interborough Rapid Transit Company
had stolen nine blocks OF the street in Sd-ave and
had constructed that length Of third track without
franchise city permit.
The Mayor said he had sent the latest letter Of
complaint TO the Corporation Counsel, who had
been investigating the earlier accusation against
the railroad company for two months.
Mr.. Delany was IN conference with George W
Belmont marlborough interests, early in the day.
lie said the work on the Steiuway tunnel had been
stopped pending decision BY the courts as 70 the
rights Of the dispute He said that the Fire De-
partneut, through the bureau OF cOmhustibes act
ing under orders from the Mayor, had stopped the
blasting.
About the Sd-sve matter, MI Delaney said his
office was examining the complaint He said he
understood some property owner bad gone 10 court
70 stay the elevated construction. and that the
Supreme Court had held the railroad company TO
be acting within fits rights.
The corporate name Of the tunnel company is the
New-York and Long Island Railroad Company It
has been digging the tunnel from Long Island
City under the East River TO 42d-st Manhattan.
working under the Steinway franchise. The ques-
ton has been raised several times as 70 whether
the company mas the legal right 10 work under the
uLtI yesterday -When the Fire commissioner re-
ceived a letter from Corporation Counsel DeIauy
stating there was some question as 70 the legality
Then Mr.. O'Brieu issued his order revokng the
100 feet west of the East River, on Mau-O' War
Rock in the middle Of the East River and at 4th-
ave. and 1st-st-, Long Island City.
The order was issued TOO late 10 prevent the
firing Of two charges already inserted These
The company has met with several accidents.
Lasl week four men were killed in the shaft sunk
into Nan-O-War Rock.
1t is understood at the City Hall that the Fire
COMMISSIONS Will withhold permits for blasting
uhLl the company asks Tor q court order 10 show
procedure VIII bring the company into court and
status viii be thrashed out II the company s
franchise Is valid, the city viii not hinder il.
when the full sTTifc5nca e the ssc+o TP Of ne -E
IS understood II may take the company years 10
mont may not see his way clear 70 ask the Rapid
Transit CoTnTnissio1 for franchise which he con-
sders would he a duplicate Of the one he controls