New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-21
NEW YORK LABOR ONLY
TO BUILD NEXT SUBWAY.
Mau Be Unconstitutional - Mono.
Rail May Be Tried in Brooklyn.

The Rapid Transit Commission yesterday decided
70 insert in the contract for the Lexington
subway system, which route approved yester-
dav and the contract for which is about TO be ad-
xertised a clause requiring the contractor to OBJ
serve the eight hour working day and to employ
only citizens Of the state and city the work
This clause viii go IN on the advice of Corpora
+ion Counsel Ellison, who says that while il may
proze 70 be unconstitutional, the decisions of the
courts thus far 90 not warrant the conclusion alb
solutely that IL VIII be It IS aimed at shutting
or- Immigrant unszilled labor. George L. Rives
counsel 10 the commission. has advised the COM
mission that such clause viii he unconstitutional
bur that the bidder viii he obliged increase his
bid 70 provide for the contingency that II may
prove 70 be a valid requirement.
TIE commission decided yesterday 10 reopen ne
gotisrfons with F. =. Behr with reference to the
building Of q rnono-rau system connecting the
BROOKLYN ferries with Coney Island. President Orr
said he had received letters which convinced him
that the people Of Brooklyn wanted such system
he said that NJ. Behr and his associates were
financially responsible. and that the city would
not suffer financial loss. he good reason for
nor giving the company chance to demonstrate
the practicabilIty Of its system. Commissioner
Smith ard Controller Metz spoke in the same vein.
Air Behr says he viii build the system in
years time without cost TO the city. and that he
VIII obtain the necessary consents from property
owners for the right Of way. The main line will
se from South Ferry 10 Coney Island and scent
tlcket will pay for the ferry ride as we'll as the
ride the end Of the mono-rail system at Coney
Island. The matter was referred to the commit
tee on contracts and It is expected it will report
next week.
The mono-rail Is in IN Berlin and IN Ireland
II limited extent. The cars ride single rail on
tie principal that horseman sits astride the
hack Of a horse. A single line OF columns in a
street supports the superstructure It IS said that
great speed and absolute safety obtainabls IN
the operation Of the sysem.
Chief Engineer Rice reported that the plans nd
specifications for the Seventh and Eighth avenue
subway system would be ready in three weeks.
Allowing for the usual procedure this would bring
the letting Of the for the system much
later than June !. The northern end OF the system
reaches into The Bronx through Jerome avenue.
and the lower end goes clear 10 the Battery. Mr..
Rice said that the plans and specifications for the
so-caIIed tri-borough or Ccler route from The
Bronx down Third avenue Brooklyn and Coney
Island would be ready in six weeks
Mayor Mcclellan asked for a special meeting OF
the commission Monday 10 take up the PROPOSE
ton to depTess the tracks OF the New York Cen
fral Railroad Company IN Eleventh avenue. Under
the provisions Of the SAKE law the company and
city must agree plan before March 20
failing IN which the city is empowered 10 90 ahead
Rice has reported that the tracks need be depressed
only from 9th street southwark
The Committee on Plans reported IN favor Of pay
ing the lnterb0rough Rapid Transit Construction
Company 1852 S for The tnstalla ZION Of the yentilat
ing system.