New-York tribune., 1918-02-25
May Connect
Jersey Central
With IT I ubes''
IStGf Coa1.esn0ndeucc-


WASHINGTON, Feb. 24--Jersey
Central trains may run into the old
Pennsylvania station at Jersey City
and there connect with the tunnel sys-
tenn. for Manhattan Island, under a
plan now being investigated as to it's
practcaNlity, at the order of Director
General n Railroads McAdoo. Mr. Nc
Adoo made TINS known tonight in Civ
ing out a letter to Governor Edge, Of
New Jersey.
Governor Edge recently suggested to
Mr.. McAdoo that tunnel connections
should be constructed between the Jer-
sey Central terminal and the Hudson
suburban traffic oe the Jersey Central
the advantages Of quick transportation
under the Hudson River.
Mr. McAdoo said the objective might
be obtained in another way, which
might involve, however, "a very clab-
crate and costly surface connection be-
tween the existing Jersey Central lines
and the Pennsylvania Railroad"
The survey now being made is to de-
tcrmine the strength of the three
major obstacles-the cost, the engi-
neering difficulties and the capacity of
the old Pennsylvania station.
OllON IL JIG lclttI ScnJ DY M r
McAdoo to Governor Edge:
Only dear Governor Edge:
Il regret that the pressure of i'm
rerative public matters here has made
1t impossible for me to reply sooner
to your recent letter suggesting that a
suitable tunnel connection be con.
structed between the Jersey Central
terminal and the Hudson Tubes in
Jersey City, so as to give the suburban
traffic of the Jersey Central the ad-
vantages of quick transportation under
the Hudson River to and from New
York City.
Difficulties Are Great
"The Jersey Central company has al
ways been averse to spending the
necessary money to construct this ex-
tension, which, l may add, presents
some very great engineering and oper-
ating difficulties, to say nothing of the
cost of the work In view of the
changed situation, however, due to gov
ernment possession and control Of all
the railroads, and the opportunity now
presented of joint and common use of
all tracks and terminal facilities, it
may be possible to develop some plan
by which the desired result could be
achieved in differ way from that
hiSiNloloiC PiVPOoSN'
This, however, requires study and
might involve a very elaborate and
costly surfa p connection between the
existing Jefa - Central lines and the
Pennsylvania Railroad, so as to bring
jersey Central trains into the old
Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Jer-
scy City, where connection with the
tunnel system could readily be made.
Even if these connections were found
to be practicable, both from an engi-
reerng and financial standpoint, it may
be found that the old Jersey City sta
ton of the Pennsylvania Railroad is
not large enough to accommodate the
additional burden that Will be thrown
upon it, and that an enlargement of the
station would not be practicable or pos
sible.
Some weeks before receiving your
letter. | had directed the railroad ex-
ecutiYes in New York to make thor
ough study of the whole terminal sit
uaton along the Jersey waterfront,
with a view to bringing about more
effective use of the joint terminals of
the various companies for the benefit
of the public than has been possible
under separate maintenance. The re-
suits of this study have not yet been
received.
"However, I shall have the entire
problem carefully investigated at the
earliest moment. Other problems of a
far more important and insistent char
acter, involving az they do the success
ful prosecution OF the war. must, how
ever, have first consideration. Faith
fully yours, "W. G. M'ADOO.n