New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-26


poP1Te n Of the @ os 81 W N haze 0
leries, they distinct from the railway.
DETAILS OF ESTIMATED COST.
To construct four track railway northerly from
connection with the present subway near 4st street
Harlem River ana thence a two track railway to
l56th street in The Bronx and four track railway
way. near 42d street and Broadway. via Seventh
accordance with the contracts plans and specifca-
tons Of the Rapid Transit Commission. VIII cost
interest during construction. 100000; equipment,
WILLIAM BARCLAY PARSONS.
JOHN B. M'DONALD.
LEWIS B. sTILLwELL.
GEORGE H PEGRAM
In an informal conversation with the news
paper men at his Office in the Park Row Build
ing Chairman Shonts made it clear that the
marlborough engineers do not like certain en-
gineering provisions and restrictions in the con-
tract. which he says his company cannot con-
slider as it is. He said that doubtless the com
missioners had inserted these provisions in per-
feet good faith, and had added one after another
as experience gained in building the first sub
way seemed to warrant but he held that they
were too onerous.
IF they had had any idea that they [restr1c-
lions not in the old contract would be prohib-
tive Of the object aimed at. they never would
have put them IN" said Mr. Shonts. In addi-
ton 70 those named in his letter 10 the COM
mission. MI Shonts took exception to the larger
size of the tunnel, 1t being several inches larger
each way than the old one The ten car train
platforms also are Objectionable and the double
decked Lexington avenue plan he ridiculed.
It was purposely made double decked by Chief
Engineer Rice because Lexington avenue is mar
row and could hardly accommodate four tracks
side by side.
II still believe we can get together on this
new tunnel proposition" said Mr.. Shonts. III
the Rapid Transit Commission will sit down
with US and work out the details for practi-
cable tunnel system. that II can be built
within the citys debt limit. so that 1t can be
operated and made to yield enough TO pay the
interest on the citys bonds. plus depreciation
for the twenty year rental term. plus the cost
Of money 10 pay for the equipment-f those
gentlemen will do this. I believe they will.
then perhaps have tunnel
INTERBOROUGH EAGER FOR TUNNEL.
mo one feels the need OF It more keenly than
the gentlemen associated with the Interborough
interests. Many of these gentlemen are fnan-
cially interested in the marlborough TO only
! comparatively small extent. but they have sat
through dozen FIVE or six hour sessions OF the
engineers and directors trying 10 figure out a
subway. They did it because they felt It
to be their duty to do It.
personally desire to say that this IS great
personal disappointment 10 me. When I came
with the marlborough Metropolitan interests I
thought my first important act would be to
submit bid for additional subways which are
urgently needed.
The estimated cost Of the subways as
planned by the commission has been great
surprise TO all of US. but our estimates have
been made by Messrs. Parsons. Mcdonald
Deyo, Pegram and StillweI-men most expert
in their profession. and men who by their ex-
perlence in the construction of the existing
tunnels best able 10 judge Of the cost OF such
work Under instructions from To make their
estimates most conservative. We nevertheless.
find that the prices. due partly TO conditions i'm
posed by the commission. partly 70 certain pro-
visions Of law partly 10 natural conditions
that is advance in wages and in cost Of mate
rails and supples-will make the aggregate cost
of the proposed subway at least double that Of
the present one.
1T goes without saying that II the present
subway, which was built under most favorable
conditions to cost OF labor and material
under most favorable conditions surrounding
its construction-that is, the cheapest manner
Of constructions; operated under most favorable
costs and which is carrying an increase Of
more than 80 per cent Of the total estimated
carrying requirements. and operated under a
long term lease-if a subway built and operated
under these conditions, with only $4,000 taxa
ton. is only earning the sum set forth in the
report OF the Rapid Transit Commissioners
said before. if a subway built and operated
under the conditions stated could only earn
that amount on the actual cost. how can you
expect to raise money for enterprise costing
twice as much for It's construction, operated I'M
der lease less than half as long, with heavily
increased taxation and decreased terms Of op-
Grafton?
WILL BUILD LINES WITHOUT PROFIT.
LAS an evidence of our good faith and anxiety
70 discharge the obligation which we feel as
lessees of the existing subway we are perfectly
willing. as we have stated in our letter 10 the
commission, to join the city in the construction
OF lines to complete the present subway sys-
TEN. provided only such conditions will be i'm
posed as will enable us to raise the money and
also enable the city 20 raise its share of the
money to construct and equip such completing
subways In other words. are willing TO go
TO the extent Of completing these additions with
out one cent of profit from the construction and
without one cent Of profit from the operation
All we want is to feel sure of such a return on
our part OF the capital 10 be invested as will
enable US to secure such capItal-that Is to
raise the money.
1--WE would not think OF making such an offer
as this II 1t were new proposition. because
you could not attract people 20 a new PROPOSE
ton which would only pay from 10 per cent
on the capital invested, with nothing for depre-
citation; but we are willing to do so solely be-
cause OF our anxiety to complete our system
and discharge our duty TO the public.
III the question OF two additional tracks on
Second avenue is cited as an influencing reason
in this matter. while we would be glad 10 build
these two additional tracks. only regard il
as temporary relief. and only an inconsiderable
part OF the remedy which must be supplied we
fully realize that the only permanent relief is
in the construction OF additional subways
II the puDllC only realized a q va