The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-22
CITY TO TAKE RISK IN
NEW SUBWAY WORK
William Street Contract Guards
Property Owners
From Loss.
SENT TO INTERBOROUGH
McAncny Backs Maltbie in Urg-
ing Scrutiny in Bronx and
Westchester.
SENT TO INTERBOROUGI

The Public Service Commission has
submitted TO the PETERBOROUGH company
a form OF contract for the construction
OF a subway beneath William street from
Old slip to Beekman street. This Is the
line. to be operated by the marlborough
company. which will connect tho new
East River tunnel with the Seventh ave-
nue. line. the other part OF tho connection
lying under Park place. tho Federal
Building and Beekman street.
Every william street property owner
Is Interested in this contract. for II pro-
vides that the city IL primarily liable
for any damages caused by subway con-
struction.
When the william street line was pro
Jected about two years ago many prop
erty owners objected Among them were
the National City Bank the Farmers
Loan and Trust Company and Kuhn.
Loeb & GO. They pointed out that the
street Is narrow and underlaid by quick
sand In some parts and they said that
both old buildings and skycrapers might
be endangered by the work. They sug-
gested Pearl street as an alternative
route Condemnation commissioners were
appointed. however. and In long litiga-
ton the holders of William street prop
erty were defeated.
But the Appellate Division, IN confirm
ing the award or the condemnation com
missioners, suggested that the city should
| assume liability for damage 80 far as II
| could. The Board OF Estimate assented
| and the final result is the form OF con-
| tract which the Public Service Commits
sion sent to the marlborough company
! Yesterday. The important clause is
1T Is understood and agreed that the
! city shall he primarily liable to the
owners OF abutting property and Of build
/ ings thereon for physical damages 10 sucf
property and buildings howsoever causet
by the construction OF the works Ih'
| contractor shall, however. indemnify anC
save harmless the city against and from
any and all such damages and claims
therefor and all costs and expenses u
connection Herewith; provided. however
that the city shall upon the written re
quest OF the contractor afford him al
reasonable opportunity to assist I'm tn
defence against such claims"
George Mctneny. President or tn
! Aldermen. Joined Public Service Com
missioner Milo r. Maltbie yesterday in Al
effort To prevent the commission from
sanctioning the marlborough company
proposed contract for extending its ele
waited lines m The Bronx aud West
chester until the city is sure that II
interests are protected.
The marlborough wants y give IN
contracts, amounting TO about s2,b0O.oo'
to Snare & Trieste. Terry & Tench an
the T A. GILLESPIE Company and pa
them l2ts per cent. OF the cost. Com
missloners Mccall, Williams, Cram an
Wood were ready to approve the contrac
last week, but Mr.. Malthic objected. "
said there ought to lee public bidding, an
vote was postponed.
Now Mr.. McAncny, writing from Lax
! George. asks NJ. Mccall that action /
I deferred. In "A tclcphoncd statement W
! McAneny also said:
The terms Of these contracts are SUI
to affect in more or lass degree IN
, financial returns TO the cit from u
1 operation OF tho new roads, and II
Board Of Estimate Ia In duty bound
( point out in what ways II In any the
. may fail to give adequate protection
, the city's interests