New-York tribune., 1907-09-12
FOR 4TH AVE. SUBWAY.
Monster Mass Meeting in Brooklyn
for the Project.

Acting Mayor MCGOWAN. Controller Metz Bor-
ol1gh President Coler Of Brooklyn. W s. Hurley.
sex Rapid Transit Commissioner; David A. Boody,
cx-Mayor of Brooklyn and many other Brook
lvnites spoke I'm favor OF the construction of the
Fourth avenue subway before enthusiastic
mass meeting. held In Prospect Hall. Prospect
avenue, Fifth avenue. last night. Senator
McCarren OF the chief speakers but
whether he really fevors the subway or not was
a matter OF doubt among his hearers The mass
meeting held under the auspices of the Allied
Boards OF Trade consisting of twenty-seven or
ganzations chiefly OF South Brooklyn. Mr. Hur-
ley presided The hall, which has capacity of
between 5000 and 1000 persons. packed
ANY who delays the building of the Fourth
avenue Is wicked and any man who prevents II
is crimnalT' said Mr. Hurley. Mr.. Hurley said
the law of the survival of the httest acted IN
the OF cities we'll in the Of ami
mails. and that 10 Brooklyn did not improve its
transit facilities 1t would be left far in the rear.
Mr.. Hurley then introduced Mr.. Boody. who
pointed to the manner in which the ctys latest
bond issue had been oversubScribed proof that
the city did not lack the financial ability 10
struct the proposed subway. He said Brooklynites
had approved consolidation. simply because they
were not able to carry the great improvements
alone and needed the help of Manhattan and that
Manhattan had promised that help IN exchange
for consolidation.
We now ask Manhattan redeem her pledges"
he said Fourth avenue, he explained. the
a
because OF its nearness 10 the waterfront. its lack
OF population and its lack of high buildings
Look to the future" he cried, I'm demanding
this subway. you do not act only for yourselves.
but also for the millions of people who Will soms
day reside this side Of the river
McCnrrea advanced to the front of the platform
with gloomy look. The and substance Of
his address that It would be a good thing for
the city to build the subway. because It would be
object lesson of the futlty of municipal owner
snip (which has failed wherever It has been tried.
ali the world"
Brooklyn favored consolidation because 81
bankrupt he said. IT favored consolidation. though
the political machine Of which 7 was member
corralled into opposing II at the time he
added Then he gave this warning:
The bond sale a II
failure The city had to raise the interest on the
bonds 10 "a per cent before the issue Ave
times oversubscribed. The moneyed interests had
to have their pound of flesh. You may pat your
selves on the back and call this the greatest city
on earth but few weeks ago there was not a
recent niece In the city tree sury The city
insolvent, and that is mighty near bankruptcy IL
will cost $50 100000 build the subway. and not
saoOC0ooo. It will not pay-not for many years. II
will be a municipal lesson.
Mr. MCGOWAN was enthusiastic for the project
and he berated the Public Service Commission Sc
verey because had not told its ideas concerning
the subway project 10 the people.
Tho hesitancy Of the commissioners is enbar-
RAISING" he said. "Tf there is a reason for their
besitancy We should be told the reason. If there
is no reason the bids for the subway should be let
at once OF course. the commission may have de-
cided In favor OF the project II so. the commits
sioners should tell and save all this trouble We
have now S23.o9O.00C set off against the borrowing
Cspacty OF the city. IS fair tn keep up this
condition needesely. II the commission does not
intend to build the subway. II should tell US So
and the action of the Board of Estimate and Ap-
portionment should be rescinded.'