The sun., 1919-03-28
Measure Provides First ST.
100000 for Tunnel Under
the Hudson River.
DEMOCRATS FIGHT ACT
Charges Made That Special
Interests Will Benefit at
Expense of City.
GOES TO THE GOVERNOR
Smith Says He Must Find Out
Where Money Is Com
ing From.
GOES TO THE GOVERNOR
Special Despafch 10 TIE srx.


negative votes the Senate to-day
passed the Adler bill providing for the
construction Of a vehicular tunnel
from New York to Jersey and appro-
priating 1.0Q0, 900 for immediate work.
The Assembly will concur in slight
amendments made to the bill before 1t
is sent to the Governor for signature.
Gov. Smith said tonight that he
has not decided what his action will
be, as he wants to find where the
money for, the tunnel is coming from
before he signs the measure.
Democrats fought in every possible
way to prevent the passage Of the bill
by the Senate. They argued against it,
hinted that interests are pushing the
bill through. and finally tried to get
It recommitted to the Finance Commit
placed in the position of opposing
something in the interest of New York
city, however, most of them had TO
support the bill on the roll call for
final passage.
The Adler bill only appropriates
$1,000. 900, but New York states share
OF the tunnel cost will be $4,000. 900,
a like amount coming from New Jersey.
TIE Legislature of the State already
has appropriated Jerseys money for
beginning the construction work.
Fears Loss of Property Values.
York, Democrat, asserted the vehiculsr
tunnel would destroy the property values
built up in New York. and on LonS ISL
land and would result In increasing the
value of the Jersey meadows.
''The interests want this tunnel and
they ought to pay for 1t out OF their own
pockets" said Mr.. Dowling.
Republican Leader ]. Henry Walters
resented this.
''I don't like the statement that any
interest proposes this tunnel he de-
clared, and explained how the bill has
been introduced as a result OF confer
ences OF New York and Jersey officials.
But can see special interests oppos-
ing this tunnel" Senator Walters con-
t!nued Those interests carry trucks
from New York TO Jersey and back by
lighters and ferries
The Republican leader chided the
Democrats for opposing the only meas
ure which offers practical way of re-
ducing the cost OF living in New York by
lowering the cost of getting produce into
the city.
Senator Adel OF Queens charged that
"r. A. Adams, president OF the American
Refrigerating Company and a repre-
sentative of the Brady interests, are be-
hind the bill and sat in the Senate cham
ber all during the day session.
Part of Port Development.
Senator Law of Westchester pointed
out that the tunnel bears an important
relation to development OF the port OF
New York, which must be accomplished
II the city hopes to continue to compete
with Norfolk and Southern ports.
Republican Leader Walters also warned
the Democrats that the application OF
Baltimore for preferential railroad rates
meant death to the supremacy Of the port
Of New York unless the city acted to de-
velop its port and maintain freight rates
to II.
The motion to recommit the bill was
lost. "a to 16, and then the measure
passed by.a vote of SS to 7. those agains
II being Dowling. Dunningan, Adeli
sutherland, Shacknow and McGarry
Democrats, and Thompson, Republican
Gov Smith is to have a conference II
New York Saturday with Abram Elkus
chairman of his reconstruction commits
sion, and at that time 1t Is expected thai
Mr. Elkus will make his recommendation
for the Governor to either sign or veto
. the tunnel bill as a result of hearings
2 he reconStruction commission conducted
on the measure.