New-York tribune., 1907-01-09
PLAN THREE CENT LOOP
TO TAP THREE BRIDGES.
Mcdonald Route Changed to Will
lam Street.

The Rapid Transit Commission sent a letter
10 the Board Of Estimate and Apportionment
Yesterday recommending the building of sub
way loop, connecting the Williamsburg and
Manhattan bridges. running down Centre street
10 point the Brooklyn Bridge and thence
down William street to the financial. district.
The route is almost like the proposed Mcdonald
plan. submitted December %. The commits
sion believes that this system can be built for
s12500e0. exclusive of the cost of real estate
and that ii can he completed by the time the
Manhattan Bridge is in operation, in 1900 The
further important suggestion is made that the
line built this route would he very attrac-
tive to a lessee. and that it could profitably
carry passengers for 3-cent fare
If the Board of Estimate and Apportionment
concurs in this recommendation the plans for
the system will be hurried forward so that
practical work can be got under way at an early
day. Chief Engineer Rice has already begun on
the plans. Mr. Rice stated last night to a
Tribune reporter that while John B. Mcdonald
preferred line down Nassau street. he would
be glad bid with the southern end
running under William street to the financial
district
If a subway of this sort is built and leased
with provision that 3-cent fare be charged
Il doubtless means that passengers going be-
yond the radius covered by the loop system and
transferring other lines will have TO pay an
extra fare
The proposed loop, the route of which Is de-
scribed in the letter of the Rapid Transit Com
mission. would carry an enormous volume OF
short haul traffic. but It would not reach point
in Brooklyn further than the junction of Bed
ford and Lafayette avenues Passengers using
the line for points beyond the area served by
the loop probably would have to pay in all
cents to get to and from business
The commission yesterday took no action with
reference TO the proposed elevated Loop between
the Williamsburg and Brooklyn bridges Con-
troller Metz wanted the commission TO take af-
frmative action When he got no satisfaction he
left the meeting in huff
"The commission did about all It could TO Kill
the elevated loop proposition said Mr. Metz,
but II is dead yet. 1t will ba brought up
before the Board of Estimate anc Apportion-
ment. II seems very strange TO me- that power
ful interests in Wall Street can make sugges-
tions TO the board, and they villa receive the
most careful consideration. but little attention is
paid TO the requests of the ctys duly. elected rep
resentatives."
CONFLICT OVER "L' LODP
II learned last night that President Orr
and Controller Metz were in favor %of afirma-
tive action With reference TO the elevated loop.
but that Commissioners Smith and Starin were
against II. The board went so far yesterday
as TO draft letter setting forth its position
with reference the elevated loop. but the let
not ordered to the Board of Esu-
The letter said that the commission
ognized the pressing need of bettering the transit
facilities between Manhattan and Brooklyn, but
expressed the opinion that elevated loop
would take longer TO build than subway
nection. account OF the opposition of people
living along the route. The letter said that a
structure of the kind contemplated would be
permanent, and not temporary, its advocates
hoped. The letter said that if the Board of Esti-
mate and ApportionInent. being duly elected rep
resentatives Of the people decided that ele
waited loop desirable. II could indicate
20 The Rapid Transit Commission. There was a
clear intimatiOn that the commission stood ready
70 abdicate its commanding position and yield
TO the judgment of the Board Of Estimate and
Apportionment This is the rock which the
commission split. Messrs. Smith and Starin
were willing to assent TO the sending of the
letter.
The letter concerning the building OF the three
cent fare loop in part follows:
We are firmly convinced that the best mode of
dealing with the entire problem OF communication
between the Borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn
both upon the bridges and also by tunnels. These
must be desgnated @ OF course SO that they can be
such the road under Broadway to Jamaica, the
Coney Island. and others In Manhattan connec-
ton with all the principal north and south lines
must be provided for. such a series OF loops is
Shown upon the comprehensive plans heretofore
1t is evident that for many reasons the construc-
ton Of the entire system shown in these plans
very fun examination of the subject this board
believes that first instalment a portion of
Route No: g and the whole of the Manhattan Bridge
route-utilizing the Williamsburg and Manhattan
brslges-shoud be built. and that contracts should
tIonal consents finally obtained
The line proposed by this board may be de
scribed loop beginning at the Williamsburg
street and its proposed extension to Centre street
II then continues under Centre street southerly
Bridge and runs under the new Flatbush avenue
extension, Fulton street. Lafayette avenue and
70 the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza In Manhattan
WIllism etreets probabS to a point between
Maiden Me IaneSsnd Wall street and eventually could
tunnels 1t could also be very soon extended
westerly through Grand and Desbrosses streets to
II would not be an expensive road to build. No
tunnels would at first, be needed under the Eas5
River The bridges would supply the needed
tracks without ad iItional cost. The construction
tension III that is authorized by your board) would
be rapid and Inexpensive. The only slow ana eN-
souf Of cans street There can be no doubt that
the connection between the two bridges at either
end. can with the cooperation of your board De
completed that cars may run over It the day
Inc Manhattan Bridge is opened for traffic.
From the operating standpoint. there can be no
Question II the advantages OF this loop; nor that
fsfoF fanos can be f9In@ onsref and operate II
Such contract would be peculiarly attractive 10
toned is essentially the key 10 the whole trans
poTtatIon system I'm Brooklyn. -. ..,,-o
tEayersing Fourth avenue could reach Manhattan Tar
saS6Spt D. using either e r Gould any
!ne coming from the direction OF Jamaica updef
Eastern * gSg se the WilliamsbHrg Bridge
except the lines Of this same loop rawny lay
SO far possible. In the hands OF the city ltseII,