The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-26

| tunnel, and that this could be largely
due to the inability. because of the ice
choked river. to transport thousands OF
tons of coal that were literally within
| sight Of its inhabitants and yet as unat-
| tainable as II they were still in the
mines.
1T may truly be said that without
considering the deaths. sickness and
| physical suffering resulting from this
condition Of affairs. but merely the finan-
| cial losses as stated in the press, the
tunnel could easily have been paid for
out of any one of dozen days losses in
January. 1e1s-and this, too. without
considering the pinch and privation
caused by reduced food supply.
Such a situation as vas witnessed
last winter seemed impossible week
before it occurred yet 1t may easily hap
pen again both with respect to fuel and
food. need only refer to the brief strike
and the threatened isolation OF Manhat-
tan, which would have been. am con-
WINGED. a very serious matter Nor 10 It
necessary to say that another strike
would bring about an equally grave
situation
An OF these facts are 80 simple that
amy child could appreciate their sisnin-
canoe. There is only one remedy, and
there is imperative need for the remedy.
n
tan TO Jersey City to be begun at once.
Cost Extremely Moderate.
''Public sentiment is overwhelmingly
In favor OF the project. The cost will
be extremely moderate in view of the
advantages TO he derived. The enter
prise can be made eelf-supporting ana
self-liquidating. New Jersey has for
mally indicated It's willingness to pro-
coed. And although the Federal Govern
ment seems TO ignore our necessities.
nevertheless II Is a simple matter for the
two States to join hands and go ahead
with work so essential to the comfort
and happiness OF millions OF their citi-
zens
1T is folly to depend longer on car
floats and lighters in an age Of tunnels
and bridges Once the tunnel Is built
its value will be so obvious that every
body will wonder why on earth Il was
not built years before. Now let me offer
a few facts, more or less az random, but
all of value to the reader seeking real
information on the Vchicular tunnel
project ITS whole cost will be not more
than $4,000. 900, half to be borne by
New York. half by New Jersey. Our
neighbor State purposes to raise its share
by n tax Of 81 a $1,000 on its ratables
over a period Of four years. New York
will undoubtedly provide its share by a
bond issue. but the burden will be
imaginary. since only the credit OF the
State will be used
"a toll of thirty cents per vehicle,
which is somewhat under the present
ferry rates. will provide a revenue suf-
hcient to retire a bond issue of $500
600 In twenty years After the bonds
have been redeemed tolls can be made
merely nominal or dispensed with en-
tirely, and operation will be met by the
annual revenue resulting from invest
ment OF the accrued net surplus. From
available data 1t appears that the We
hicular traffic between New York and
New Jersey over the five ferry lines In
close proximity to the location OF the
proposed tunnel is about 5000 in each
direction daily.
"Conservatively estimated. this traffic
will continue to increase at the r2te OF
s per cent. annually, and will result in
1922 in daily traffic of more than
5000 vehicles in each direction. OF this
traffic 1t Is estimated that at least SO
per cent. will avail itself of the advan-
tages OF crossing the river through the
tunnel and that in addition, owing to
the economy of such delivery, at least
900 vehicles will daily be engaged in
Transporting merchandise. now car
fioated. direct from freight yards in
New Jersey through the tunnel to Man.
haitian. Thus about 1000 vehicles daily
or 100000 yearly would use the tunnel
In 1922.
1T might give the reader a clear sur
vey of the financial problem TO offer this
guide, showing exactly how the tunnel
will maintain itself and pay for itself n
tuapty wears.