The sun., 1919-04-06
CIVIC BODIES URGE
VEHICULAR TUNNEL
Commercial and Real Estate
interests Representatives
Throng to Hearing.
ONLY QUEENS OPPOSED
Gov. Smith Fears Lest Project
May Exceed Estimate Of
$12,OO0,OOO.


Inc nearing given by him yesterday IN
the City Hall on the bill appropriating
''ooo'ooo for a start on the proposed
vehicular tunnel between New York city
and New Jersey that the principal oues-
ton In his mind was as to the ultimate
cost. He directed some searching ques-
lions at the proponements of the project
as to their certainty that the completed
tunnelwould cost no more than the s1a.-
900, 900 estimate.
d. W. Bloomingdale of the tunnel conn
mission promised that the plans SUBJ
mittsd to It with the detailed estimates
OF cost would be sent to him at onoA
Representatives of largo commercial
and real estate interests spoke earnestly
in favor Of the bill All opponents. with
the exception Of the representative Of
one small taxpayers association CANA
rom Queens They were led BY Borosrh
president Connolly. who denied the
onarge that they were Influenced by pro-
vinoialism and fear that the tunnel
would develop New Jersey at the ex-
psnse Of Queens. =
Sees Freight COST Increased.
President Connolly asserted that the
bringing In Of freight FROM New Jersey
oy motor truck, urged as one OF the ad-
vantaEes Of the tunnel. would add an
extra cost to the freight. Furthermore
ne predicted that II the tunnel shouId
be constructed New Jersey again would
make an application to the Interstate
Commerce Commission to DO away with
tne free lghterage now enjoyed by New
York city, and which was retained two
years ago only after vigorous fight
oy this city Ultimately a tunnel might
De built. the speaker said. but this was
not the time for 1t. II the proposition
were to build a railroad tunnel to bring
the trunk lines into New York city, he
said, he would heartily favor Il.
Others from oueens who supported
Ryan. president of the Queens Chamber
OF Commerce; Robert w Higbie, Rich
ard 8. Newcombe and John W Paris of
the Long Island Real Estate Exchange.
Paul @. Brown. representing the Re-
construction Commission, said the COM
mission was heartily in favor of the
tunnel. but thought a mistake had been
made by making permanent the COM
nission. which did not contain a single
person who had had experience In build
Ing the big railroad tunnels under the
North and East Rivers.
When McDougal Hawkes. and Mr..
Bloominsdale of the tunnel commission
were speaking Gov. Smith frequently
interrupted to get details Of cost and
plan. He was told they had the author
ity of the contracting Arm that built
the Pennsylvania tunnels that the tube
proposed in their report of 1918 could
be constructed and equipped for $l1,-
500 900.
"Of course" said Mr.. Bioomingdale,
until We are in position to ask for
NAL bids from responsible bidders we
have no way of pinning any ono down
as to the exact cost"
Civic Bodies Favor Tube.
Among those who appeared In favor
of the bill were Howard Finley, repre-
senting the Chamber or Commerce: Ho-
bart Porter OF the Merchants <.ssocia-
tion, Stewart Browne of the United r. al
Estate Owners Association, JEFF De
Mont Thompson OF the Broadway ASST
citation, George W. Olvaney of the CEN
trail Mercantile Association. Charles
Francis of the Master Printers Associa-
ton. William Harris, who said he repre-
scented clients owning between 100000
VVV ana toV,UUV,VOU worm OF property
on the west side OF Manhattan; w. b.
Trunum. representing the retail dry goods
stores; Joseph r. Day. representatives of
the coal dealers and of the National
Highway Protective Association, and
Elmer Thompson Of the Automobile Club
of America.
Robert E. Bowling of the Real Estate
Board OF Trade said the board did not
want to be put down In opposition, but
that 1t looked with some anxiety on the
possible cost
Mr.. Browne spoke OF the opposition as
narrow prejudice, which held that every
body should be permitted to come into
Manhattan and spend their money, but
nobody should be allowed to go out.
1T would pay the real estate owners
TO have the tunnel" he declared, even
II 1t should cost $40, 100000 and went
into the tax rate instead OF being paid
for by the State"
The hearing was 80 largely attended
that fringe OF business men stood all
around the room.