New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-17
MAYOR TO ACT SOON.
DISGUSTED WITH Delay
Wih Try to Prod Rapid Transit
Commission Into Action.

Mayor Mcclellan, it was learned Yesterday
contemplates taking radical action if at the
meeting Of the Rapid Transit Commission next
week there is not quorum to vote on various
resolutions the passage of which is necessary
TO complete the work Of contracting for the
remaining sections of the subway loop system
10 connect the bridges. The Public Utilities
Commission will be in the saddle sixty davs
after the bill becomes law. The Mayor wants
70 finish up the pending work of the commits
zion before the change takes place. President
Orr is sick j. Edward Simmons the new presi-
dent Of the Chamber Of Commerce. refuses 10
qualify a Rapid Transit Commissioner be-
cause. apparently, he wants to continue as a
member Of the Board of Water Supply. of which
he is president. at $4,000 a year This board
Is soon 10 break ground for the new Catskiu
aqueduct system. and probably Mr.. Simmons.
as president. wants TO be on hand at the ground
breaking If it cannot be accomplished other
wise, the Mayor will nominate two COM
nlssioners, so to have six votes for the trans
action Of business one month from yesterday at
which time, 1t is understood. awards will be
made for the contracts for the three remaining
sections Of the subway loop. At the meeting
yesterday only four members were present.
The board had a hearty laugh over a letter
from Mr.. Simmons, in which he said he deemed
il inadvisable to qualify a Rapid Transit
Commissioner until the continuance Of the board
was definitely settled.
The Mayor wanted TO know If the president OF
the Chamber Of Commerce was not an ex-oficio
member as soon as elected.
George L. Rives read from the charter, in
which one paragraph seemed TO answer the
Mayors question afirmatively and another not
so surely. But" said Mr.. Rives. Il think the
Mayor is correct. I think that when the presi-
dent Of the chamber takes his oath Of Office he
becomes member Of the commission"
Well" broke in Controller Metz. 1T seems
while he is he isn't till he does. Why don't hep
Formal notice was given 70 F b. Behr that if
he would comply with the conditions laid down
by the board last week the commission would
proceed to plan a route and advertise for bids
for the construction of a high-speed monorail
line from Brooklyn to Coney Island
Mr. Behr's representative, F ". Dixon. as
sured the board that with this understanding
Ny Behr would agree to comply with the con-
dtions and would Immediately proceed TO pre-
pare his offer To the citv There is good pros
pect therefore that the projected monorail road
viii be built. Even should the present Rapid
Transit Commission go out Of existence before
the contract can be advertised. il IS believed
the start of the undertaking by it would lead
the new Public Utilities Commission to continue
the work.
The long investigations by DR.. George A. So
per who was directed by the commission many
months ago TO look into the health Of employees
Of the subway and to determine whether or not
their health was being affected by the metallic
dust pervading the underground air, were
summed UP IN report he submitted 10 the
board.
In substance ne said: AS a result Of my in
vestigations, 1 find that the dust in the air Oh
the subway has no appreciable effect upon the
health Of the men.
Nobody appeared al the last public hearing be-
fore final action by the board upon the form OF
contract for that portion Of the Brooklyn loop
lines in the new extension Of Delaney street,
between Centre street and the Bowery. This
was the last section TO be acted upon by the
board II now goes 70 the Board % Estimate
for approval.
Il was announced to the board that the Board
Of Estimate had approved its form Of contracts
fer the construction Of the Brooklyn loop lines
81 Centre street between Pearl street and Park
Row. and IN Delaney street, from the I8owery
70 Norfolk street.
From Theodore P Shonts, Of the Peterborough
Company. came a letter in which he practically
repeated the offer Of the company concerning
the construction Of additional rapid transit rail-
roads made on April -. The letter went 10 the
committee on plan and scope.
Does that mean that everything Is on!
queried Controller Metz.
IT means negotiating said Secretary
BUrrOWes.