New-York tribune., 1907-06-01
SUBWAY FOR BROOKLYN
GRoANs TURN TO CHEERS.
Wild Jog When r. L. Board Votes
for Fourth AUe. Route.

Cheers in place of reproaches. plaudits instead
of obJurgations bouquets rather than lemons
were the portion of the Rapid Transit Eommis-
soners yesterday afternoon. The board took a
decisive step toward building subway down
Fourth avenue to Fort Hamilton and Coney
Island. crossing the new Manhattan Bridge. The
action so pleased two hundred Brooklynites who
jammed the of the commission yester-
day afternoon that they cut loose with cheers
and handclappng
The hitherto cast down taxpayers from Bath
Beach and Bensonhurst clung about President
Orr and told him he was the finest man they
ever met They followed him 10 his carriage,
handing him sweet scented verbiage. They hailed
William S. Hurley. the new member, who said
last week that the commission was composed
of old fogies. as hero. and their wide COM
passing gratitude took in Controller Metz, Vice
President Starn, Commissioner Smith and Pat
rick F. MCGOWAN. who represented the Mayor.
It was a rare day for the strap hangers from
South Brooklyn and to the commissioners a
gratifying break in the monotony of fault find
ing.
President Orr who has been i'll since January.
made the Journey to Manhattan from his home
on Broo<lyn Heights for the express purpose OF
putting through a resolution that the prelim-
mary steps for the new tri-borough route be
taken at once without reference TO the fact that
the commission will go out of power on July l.
when the Public Utilities Commission VIII take
up the work.
When President Orr stepped into the room
every one seemed glad TO see him again. and
there was great hand clapping. Before the
calendar was half finished Commissioner smith
moved an executive session and the room was
cleared with difficulty. The Brooklynites, anx-
ious for action on the Fourth avenue subway
matter went into the hallway and waited. ThlS
was done because Mr.. Orr vas still sick man.
and IT was felt that too much excitement might
aft act him unfavorably.
The committee on plans and contracts con-
sidered the Fourth avenue. Coney Island ana
Fort Hamilton subway proposition last Tuesday
and agreed 10 report back to the full board with
out recommendation. The executive session lasted
half an hour Then Controller Metz and his
friend William s Hurley. came out of the meet
ting followed by Mr.. MCGOWAN. and all had to
fight their way through the crowd of eager
RrookIynites who were anxious 10 know the fate
Of their pet scheme.
The leader Of the Brooklyn delegation was
Daniel Moynahan. As the escaping commission
ers forged through the crowd, each with hve or
six questioning men hanging on him. the COM
missioners shouted in answer TO their inquiries
that by a unanimous vote the board had au-
thorized the Fourth avenue subway route, and
had passed a resolution asking the Board Of
Estimate to approve the same.
No sooner was the news announced than the
building resounded with the heartiest cheers in
it's history. The noise was so great that the
stenographers and typewriters the upper
floors rushed out to see what the matter.
Commissioner Hurley was the first board mem
Der out and the crowd rushed at him and
shouted. Three cheers for Hurley" Next came
Controller Metz. who has fought for Brooklyn
subways, and the crowd cheered him for several
minutes. Then came Mr.. MCGOWAN. and the
crowd almost carried him into the elevator.
But the ovation Of the day was given TO
President orr for he was cheered and cheered
until he reached his carriage.
we are cheering for you. Mr. orr said one
Of the shouters You have always done your
best for us, and appreciate your work to-
day"
Il very glad" said Mr.. orr, even at this
late day in our official existence, to do some
thing for South Brooklyn people"
After the route has been fully indorsed it will
take two weeks TO advertise the form of con-
tract and after that the Board of Estimate Will
have to approve OF the form of the contracts
and then three weeks will have to be spent m
advertising for bidders for the contracts
1t is proposed advertise for construction
only. and operation and equipment after. The
proposed subway will cost about $3.50 900. The
city has a debt margin OF $50, 900 900. 10 which
on July l, when the 1907 taxes become due, 4
fixed FINANCIAL quantity. about $45,0O000O. VIII
be added.
George s. Rice. the Rapid Transit Boards
chief engineer, said he hoped" that trains would
be running from Manhattan to Brooklyn BOr-
ough Hall under the East River from the Bat
terry by September l.
His statement was brought out in connec-
wit I'm rafa
sion of time for the completion of the tunnel
route in Brooklyn from the Borough Hall to the
Flatbush avenue station of the Long Island
Railroad. In this latter connection Mr.. Rice
recommended extension of time for the work
to May l. 1908. because of the change from the
two-traCk roadbed originally contracted for, to
a four-traCk proposition. Mr. Rice Contended
that the extension asked for just under the
circumstances and 1t granted.