The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-01
NEW BELMONTTUNNEL INQUIRY
y. s. BOARD TO LOOK INTO THE
sTEINWAY FRANCHISE
AndAIso tlle Proposed Method Of Operating
~Trstns-Seeks To Learn what ITS Au-
thortty 10 Over the McAdoO Tunnels
-Inter.Met Hearing starts To-day.

ihortty 10 Over tho McAdoO Tunnel
-Inter.Met Hearing starts To-day.
The Public Service Commission decided
Yesterday 10 look into the status Of the
Belmont tunnel. running from Forty second
street, Manhattan. to Long Island City.
1his il the old Steinway tunnel. the charter
for which August Belmont bought.
The validity OF the franchise has q
questioned hy the city authorities and liti-
CATION has been begun to test the right OF
the Belmont company to operate the tunnel
without first applying for a franchise and
paying compensation. II il also commended
by the city. that in any event the original
charter has lapsed because August Belmont
has been unable TO comply with the clause
il contains providing tina the tunnel should
I've completed by January 1. 1907
Some days q "A delegation Of residents
ri Queens waited upon the commission
and made the statement that knowledge
had come TO .tbem that Mr.. Belmont did not
intend TO ire the tunnel for the transfer OF
passengers between the Manhattan subway
apd the trolley ines in Queens, which are
nuned hv Mr.. Belmont. without an extra
fare, hut that il was intended TO charge an
additional three cents to travel through
he tunnel. As the commission has been
unable TO obtain any satisfactory informa-
finn concerning the system under which
the tunnel is to be operated. this resolution
was adopted at yesterdays meeting:
Eosoirod. That q commissioner he named
iy The chairman 10 investigate and report
upon fhe status " the subway and tunnel
constructed by the New York and Long
Island Railroad Company commonly known
M the Steinwav tunnell and 10 ascertain
WHIT rights and franchises are held by this
company.
chairman Wilcox appointed Commits
sionpr NaItbie To make the investigation.
Mr.. NlaIthie will start his inquiry imme-
distely and will give his first attention 10
ascertaining II the company has any exist
ing rights under the old Steinway~ franchise,
" II should be found that the company is
proceeding with the building of the tunnel
without legal authority the commission
will aid the city in the efforts to oust the
from the occupation OF the
Nnnnpl.
The commission also decided yesterday
10 take steps To determine the extent of its
powers over the McAdoo tunnels under
the North River. These tunnels run be-
tween two States, and undo the Guise Of
the following resolution the board will
proceed Ia find out what supervising
authority IT will have:
q. solrod. That Engineer Rice be requested
10 report ~ what extent he has heretofore
trsJcctrd the tunnels and subways Of the
hudson and Manhattan Railroad Company
and New York and Jersey Railroad Com
papv the so-called McAdoo tunnel linesl,
what portions the city Of New York has the
privilege 20 purchase and what means. II any,
are adopted to ascertain the actual cost
thereof,
The ten cent fare problem on some OF
the lines in Brooklyn was presented to the
commission yesterday in the form OF two
complaints. One was from a resident in
Flushing, who protested against the pay
ment of a double fare TO that village. The
other complaint related TO the ten zen
fare which is cha rged from Sea Gate To
Manhattan Beach. a distance Of three miles,
Both complaints were referred TO the com
mittee OF the whole.
A latter was received from Clyde r. Place
complaining Of the dangerous overcrowding
~ the two elevators AT the I6sth street
staYion Of the Broadway subway. Part
nT The hitter. which was dated July IS.
saiu:
Last evening about = o'clock. upon my
return from business. The easterly elevator,
packed with people. could not be controlled
IN its descent at the regular landing. but slid
about four feet below.
The machine was then reversed and the
car started M and was stopped about eighteen
inches above it's landing. II was then started
down again. but could not be stopped until
II reached the bottom Of the shaft. and there
" remained with the people unable TO get up
The second elevator by this time was ready
10 GO up, and 40 boarded this car and was
carried 10 the street. ! do nos know how
long the people in the first ear had 40 remain
therc before they were released.
This incident not only seriously incon-
vpnipnccd the travel al this time at the sta
tton, but showed that a dangerous condition
existed for people travelling on these Gle
vators while such conditions were allowed
10 exist from an apparent, ineHicirnt opera
hon
The board ordered that the letter
ne forwarded Immediately to the Inter
borough company.
When the investigation Of the subway.
surface and elevated lines is begun to-day
President Theodore p. Shonts OF the Inter
horough-Metropolitan company will be the
first witness called, and he is to he fol-
lowed in the order named by President
u. II. Vreeland and General Manager Oren
Root. Jr.. Of the Metropolitan system and
Superintendent Frank He1ley and Vice
President 4. p. BRYAN Of the lnterborough
II has virtually been decided
that only one session a day will be held.
William VI. Wins special ounsel to the
board, said yesterday that il had not yet
been determined whether Thomas +. Ryan
and August Belmont are TO be called.