New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
DEMAND U. S. KEEP
FAITH IN TUBE PLAN
Civic Bodies and Merchants
Indignant at McAdoo's
Action.
WANT SUBWAY LINE
UNDER POSTOFFICE
Means Big Gain to Mail Distribu-
tion-Spruce Street Alternate
Route DeplOred.

widespread objection has developed to
the indefinite delav and public inconveni-
encs in subway construction which the
present attitude Of the Treasury Depart
ment means in refusing to grant an
easement under tho Federal Building at
reasonable terms TO the city for the I'M
portant subway connection as planned
under the dual system. from Broadway
and Park Place to the new lnterDoroush
tunnel under the East River Chairman
Mccall and other members OF the Public
Service Commission were at loss yes
terday to explain the position of Mr..
McAdoo. Secretary OF the Treasury. In
demanding a prohibtive compensation
100000 for the desired easement and
forcing the commission to adopt another
route.
'T don't SEQ how the government can
hold to its present position" said Chair-
man Mccall yesterday. 1T isn't tenaole.
We have adopted the plans for the alter
nate route through Spruce st. to William,
tentatively, because we did not wish 70
leave this important work In allegiance.
but We still hope the government VIII
grant tho easement on reasonable terms
and not force the construction Of the
less desirable route"
Property owners In the district east OF
Nassau st. and below Brooklyn Bridge,
who had confidently expected the con-
struction of tho loop as originally plan
ned. are I'D In arms at the present pros
pect of more delay and further complica-
tons. It is likely that various civic bodies.
including the Merchants Association and
the Board of Real Estate Brokers, will
take the matter up and seek to strength
en- public sentiment against the present
attitude OF the government In the matter.
The Substitute route through City
Hall Park and Spruce st. TO William St.
connecting with the new tunnel at Old
Slip, would necesstate at least nine
months delay. be more difficult Of con-
str,iction because OF the added curves and
larger buildings along the route, and
mean a material delay In train schedules
after completion. according TO engineers.
William r. Wilcox. former chairman
of the Public Service Commission, strong
" denounced the governments action In
holding up the easement. Mr.. WILCOX
put the matter in new light in calling
attention to the benefit the government
would derive in mail service by loop
under the Post Office. He declared that
instead of trying to block the original
plans. the Secretary of the Treasury and
the POSTMASTER General should come
knocking at the doors OF the Public Ser
vice Commission to indorse the original
plans.
II can't understand the governments
attitude in this matter" said Mr.. Wilcox,
They certainly cannot be actuated oy
public policy. II means as much TO the
government as to tho city to have the
subway loop under the Post ONCE. Think
OF the great advantage to the Post Of
fee Department in having subway facili-
ties there for delivering the large con-
geston Of the mail from one end OF the
city to the other as soon as the dual
subway system is completed. The Secre-
tary of the Treasury and the Postmaster
General ought to come knocking at the
doors of the Public Service Commission,
willing 70 pay the city for this loop, in
stead OF trying to block the original
plans and change the route"
Mr.. Wilcox explained that he was try
ing TO foster the idea Of connecting the
three great mall centres in the city, the
Federal Building, the Grand Central Sta
ton and the Pennsylvania Terminal, with
the future subway system as far back as
1866. He said he went TO the Inter-
borough officials at that time with a
proposition for spur track to the Post
once connecting with the present sub
way in Park Row, and that the Inter