New-York tribune., 1907-01-23
NEWHAVEN FOR SUBWAY
RUMORED MOVE BY ROAD.
Said To Be after Manhattan
Transit Co.-Wants Sd ADe. Route


A report That the New York. New Haven &
Hartford Railroad Company had obtained con-
srol of the Manhattan Transit Company crestss
excitement In tho curb market In Broad street
late Yesterday afternoon. Inquiry developed the
info1inauon shat there was deal in progress
hy which the New Haven might acquire enough
~ the traction rights OF the Manhattan Transit
Company 70 become bidder for q subway
franchise. and. AZ successful in that 10 ga. an
Independent route inio Manhattan, With a con-
Meeting tunnel 20 Brooklyn and a system Of
crosstown automobile stage lines in Manhattan
70 distribute trarnc
John c. Sheehsn. who last October I'm com
psny with some associates, took over the Man
haitian Transit Company from Joseph II. FTosd
ley and his friends. declined 20 discuss the New
Haven deal last evening" saying ne was not pre-
pared to talk about Il. Hs said thu Manhattan
Transit Company WIS preparing 20 build a
powerhouse snc push the developnaent OF th.
Ions Acre Electric Light and Power comn,nv
which IL recently took over. IN view Of the de-
csion OF the Appellate Division OF the Supreme
Court that the company must be permitted 20
have space IN the oity's electrical subway
system
From trustworthy source. however a Trih-
une reporter learned that the New Haven. in
case deal with the Manhattan Transit Com
pahy was contaminated. would not absorb the
Long Acre Company. but would use only the
franchises OF the Manhattan Transit Company
which related 20 traffic facilities The Long
Acre franchises. 81 was ssid would be of no
use 20 the New Haven In the running OF cleo
trie trains ;n a subway tunnel in the city
or In the running OF automobile stages in the
streets.
The Manhattan Transit Company was inoor-
porated in 1902 as the successor Of the Cen
eral Carriage Company. The latter company
had a charter which gave 90 Il the right TO op-
crate IN all streets Of the city. except those
occupied by streetcar lines, and excepting Fifth
avenue. public vehicles propelled by electricity
compressed air or any other power Among
the first directors OF the General Carriare Com
paIly was the late General Samuel Thomas
cyrus Field Ju6son the company's first
president The Manhattan Transit Company
also controls a majority OF the stock OF the New
York and Brooklyn Tunnel Railroad Company
which IN 1895 obtained a charter from the State
operate tunnel under the East River from
Broadway and Park Place IN Manhattan 70 the
Borough Hall IN Brooklyn. The route Of the
tunnel was 10 be under Ann and Fulton streets
IN Manhattan and under Fulton street in Brook
lyn-
There has been question whether any work
on the tunnel ever wes performed although r q
Esler, the first president OF the company an
nounced that the work had been started and
there Is a question, too. IL the tunnel could be
constructed without an additional franchise
from the city The securities OF the company
were Nurflso over 10 an ENgnSh syndicate about
the time OF the formation OF the Manhattan
Transit Company. and Mr.. Esler was sue
ceeded as president by Charles S. Drummond, OF
London.
II was said last evening that II the New Haven
obtained control OF the Manhattan Transit Com
pany and entered into competition for a subway
route II would naturally bio for the construction
of a subway In Third avenue. The route for
this subway as laid out by the Rapid Transit
Commission ts from private property convenient
no the New Haven yards. south OF the Southern
Boulevard between Third and Lincoln avenues.
tn The Bronx. under the Southern Boulevard
152d street, and private property TO 13sth street
and thence under Lincoln avenue and more prl-
Vafe property to a tunnel under the Harlem
River, continuing IN Manhattan under Third
avenue. the Bowery. Park Row, Nassau street.
Broad street; Pearl street and New Bowery. The
subway IN Third avenue would be for four
track road as far south Chatham Square
thence q two-track road forming the loop.
Such subway could be connected, Il was
said. with the proposed tunnel TO BROOKLYN, 81
Nsssau and Ann streets There have been re-
ports also that the Manhattan Transit people
were In negotiations with the AIcAdOo tunnel
interests for connection between the McAdoo
tunnel TO Jersey City and the tunnel 20 Brooklyn.
John c. sheehan said last night that II the
conditions were favorable the Manhattan Tran
way.
For the present the most valuable asset OF
the company is the electric light franchise. The
company some time ago ordered 100 electric
buses, which are being built. and will be used
70 carry passengers in this city. The franchise
gives TIE Manhattan Transit Company the
privilege 20 any OF the citys streets. This,
TOO. is expected 10 be an important adjunct OF
t6s enterprise.