New-York tribune., 1906-05-25

The ground in proper condition to N maintain int the
'15e15er, FOR The sub-contrsctor was repeatedly
called this matter, and he was urged TO make
al efforts 10 keep the shield up TO grade with the
IDEA q avoiding the necessity for future recon-
struotion and the contractor was also consulted
On May % had a conference al the contractors
oEce. Al which Contractor Mcdonald. Mr. Deyo.
re contractors chief engineer. and the superln-
stdent in charge Of the work iUr the sub-con-
tsctor were present ! informed them that the
Whole difficulty was in not carrying out properly
a method correct in principle. and that there was
~ .ol otlIg nelhIaliea s. sulclenl 80 IT. 81 al an
. balance the pressure OF water AFTER TINS con
ference better results were obtained. more par
It also appeared about this time that the super
intenoent for the sub-Contractor had concluded.
possibility 10 keep the exact theoretical grade. and
he requested the chief engineer OF the Rapid Tran
limit for deviation from the theoreticai grade which
would be satisfactory TO him Ny understanding
forming him that no deviation from these lines
would b. authorized.
certain lines which were agreed upon last october
Last February the contractor called in con-
F1l1ation a vel known tunnel ngineer. and re-
aofI L vas made suggesting : method that in my
ol-5!on. l5! vas III tdNlsed i1e reconstrucuon &C
1aTs of neaTiE sl.@noc0. nd it would take fifteen
other method had been proposed. and is now
n process o. execution. ny which the work Will
= accomplished with an expenditure of less than
s1p1eso viii allow for the operation Of the tunnel
r on 5 g me T2r ana also also pToviqs pr f0y SarF %
heaqlngs near the middle Of the river.
HAS NOT INTERFERED
i has been the purpose Of the engineering de-
partfnent o the Rapid Transit Board rot to in
IeTtene ~ TINS Ve,z in any way which would place
Opon the city me respons bilitY Of defects in the
manner ~ operating the shield system.
Showed a disposition 70 shift the responsi6iiity
M the deviation % the shield from the esta blshei
line upon the engineering department Of The board.
especial care has been taken 10 keep the 9ub-con-
iiacfor Wen informed as to the actual position OF
ne shields, without in any way directing him
ne manner Of guidance. While this has resulted
N less satisfactory work. il has been consistent
with mv position OF nOn-interfereuce with methods,
vas Fed 10 the attention Of the boa I'd at public
meeting. wrer il was fully explained
am confident th&t, i: no unforeseen obstacles be
nei IN the middle Of the river. it will be finished
The reconstruction a. proposed will be for
ength o ls feet in the north tube and 200 feet in
SsM ~ ~ nc South tube mas been rebuilt under the
direction y MessTs Crawford & McNamee. the sub
=. llllS 10Y INC anJolhlnS Sectlon IN BrooklEn.
= u improved method which consists IN removing
Ae bottom ~ the tube and replacing il at the dis
Snoe required for clearance. This has been accom-
lAsned successfully and AT much less troIble ana
eApense than VAS expected.
Mr Rice in response 10 questions from the
Mayor. said that there were depressions in the
ugOes a. Eve places where the plates would have
g pe taken out. He also said that in one spot
ue suo-contractor had made deviation OF 2ls
1871 from the theoretical grade laid down on
ne pans. Th.s was being corrected. he said so
1at Ire grade would be perfect and not interfere
aih the running Of trains a high rate OF speed.
~ flce said that the Jacobs report was private
~Hinlnlcaton made to the Interborough Con-
ssHucuou Company but that he would get il and
s'las = butcher. in a letter called attention to
n Useless expenditure Of human energy involved
- - Climbing Of stairs at the Manhattan terminal
ne Brooklyn Bridge by Brooklyn passengers,
'"1 suggested the adoption Of escalators.