The evening world., 1911-11-22
Hudson and Manhattan
Railroad Company
TO THE PUBLIC

On the Goth Of February. 1908. the first tunnels
under the Hudson River were opened to public use.
Twenty-six years had elapsed since the work was
begun In 1883. Two disastrous failures had &C.
CURED and many lives had been lost In the attempt
to master the extraordinary difficulties involved.
The initial operation was between Hoboken and
10th Street and Sixth Avenue. A few months
later esd Street was reached; and two and a half
years later November 10. 1900 trains began
to run to SD Street.
Prior to the advent Of the tunnels, any one going
from Hoboken to points on 9th Avenue. paid 5
cents to cross the river by ferry. changed in New
York to the surface cars and. for an additional fare
OF 8 cents (total 8 cents) was delivered to his des-
hnation. This 10 true rs to every one except the
railroad passenger. whose ferriage is included in
his railroad ticket, but who. nevertheless. in
directly pays the ferry charge.
Before the tunnels were opened. the rate Of fare
was seriously discussed by the Company direc-
tors. They believed that at least the same fare as
that charged by the ferry and the trolley. namelys
cents, should be paid for the superior tunnel service.
After long consideration. however. II was deter
mined to try = Uniform rate Of 5 cents ~(although
the Company had the right at that time to make
Il 8 cents) with the hope that Aafficient traffic
would be developed between New York and New
Jersey to justify It. After almost four years Of
trial. It has been clearly demonstrated that the
Tunnel Company Is not justified In carrying pas
sengers between New Jersey and 9th Avenue
points. or uptown New York. for . 6.cent fare.
Since the uptown tunnels were opened. the Com
pany has extended its service to the Erie and Penn
sylvania Railroad stations and to Grove Street.
in Jersey City. From all Of these points to 9th
Avenue. New York. the rate by ferry and trolley
was previously, and is to-day. 8 cents. notwith-
standing the Tunnel Company voluntarily made
the rate 8 cents.
In the near future the tunnel service will be
extended to Summit Avenue (the Heights Section)
in Jersey City. Between this section and 9th
Avenue points. the present combined rate by
trolleys and ferry Is Is cents. 1t is the intention
Of the Tunnel Company to make the rate 2 cents
between these points.
The tunnel service has marked advantages over
the ferry and trolley service. by ferry and trolley
oth SsiCSk ~ tihC u oO mlnultS-
against IL minutes by tunnel; from the Erie sta.
ton to SD Street it is so minutes against ~
minutes by tunnel.
Thus we have the unusual and anomalous con-
dition Of the superior facility receiving Il iower
rate than the inferior facility.
The tunnel system Is now practically completed,
With the execution Of the extension from SAD Stre.,
TO the Grand Central Station. The entire interest
BON its bonded debt and all fixed charges must.
within the near future. be charged against the earn
ings from the Railroad and the Terminal Buildings.
On the business thus far developed, and with =
uniform s-cent fare. the Con pnmy h". mn earned
intsrsst on its bonds. farce amd other fired Charge.