The New York herald., 1920-01-13
ACTUAL DIGGING OF
TUNNEL To JERSEY.
SOON WILL BEGIN.
Rapid Progress on Prelimina-
rieS Made in the Last
Two Weeks.

The project for a vehicular tunnel con-
Meeting the States of New York and New
Jersey beneath the Hudson River is now
rapidly approaching the stage Of actual
construction.
Within the last two weeks the Joint
commissions of the two commonwealths
have held in their headquarters, In the
Hall of Records, several meetings for con-
sideration of final plans specifications and
cost estimates, which were submitted by
Clifford NJ Holland, chief engineer OF the
enterprise. Morris M. Frohlich, secretary
Of the New York State Bridge and Tunnel
Commission, said yesterday to a HERALD
reporter
after six months work on the part OF
the Engineering Department and the
Beard Of Consulting Engineers. reports
were submitted to the two commissions
which are now under discussion. 1t IS
hoped that the design. specifications and
terms of contract will be prepared and
ready for submission to the contractors
for their bids by April Is. and II this pro-
gramme can be followed, the contract
should be executed so as to enable the De-
ginning Of construction and assembling OF
plant by July next
"The commissions, in their various re-
ports to their respective Legislatures. nave
called attention forcibly to the mannolo
benefits flowing out Of tho completion Oh
a certain and safe system Of intercom-
m,:nication across the Hudson River Tne
great war made demands upon the trans
pcrtation systems and the terminal Iac'h-
ties in the port Of New York. which Demon
strated tEe' absolute need OF better ana
surer transriver shipping, and the harpor
strikes and the fuel shortage in the WINTER
of 1917-191S showed how completely the
health and safety Of New York city are
dependent upon proper transportation.
'"The history Of the East river prioses
has developed beyond peradventure the
great benefits which are derived from
system of highways which enables sure
and rapid vehicular traffic. Taxable val
ues have increased enormously ana the
DEVELOPMENT of unused lands mas peeh
beyond the dreams Of the most sansuine. n
The completion of tunnel or tunnels 1or
vehicular traffic under the Hudson from
Canal street to a point in Jersey CITY
will relieve congestion on the mareinai
and other thoroughfares and in the river
and will develop facilities on Manhattan
Island and in New Jersey which hereto
fore have been unused or are waiuns LOT
their proper development
.'The costs of this great enterprise are
CareQ lOT Dy d PIONioioii IL sAAS
requiring that tolls be collected "hici,
will pay the cost Of maintenance ana
operation, and further amortize the orlsl-
nal cost in approximately twenty years.
'It Is hoped that. after so long period
of investigation, the programme now
mapped out can be carried through with
out any untoward delay, and, If this is
demands undoubtedly Will
come for increasing these facilities at
other points. Mr.. Holland, the chief
engineer, has been engaged for thirteen
years in tunnel work under the East river
and in New York city.
"The work Is in charge of two commis-
sions authorized and appointed under
legislation enacted in each State. The
New York Commission consists of:-Gen-
eral George r. Dyer, chairman; Emanuel
w. Bloomingdale, vice chairman; Frank
NJ. Williams, State Engineer and Sur
yeyor; McDougall Hawkes., formerly
Commissioner of Docks; Alexander j.
Shamberg, Grover A. Whalen, Commis-
sioner of Plant and Structures; Paul
WindeIs. counsel, and Morris M. Frohlich,
secretary.
"The New Jersey Commission consists
of:-Walter H. Noyes, chairman; Samuel
T. French. vice chairman: Palmer Camp
bell, of Hoboken; Daniel F. Hendrickson,
of Woodbury.; Theodore Boettger, OF
Hackensack; T. A. Adams, Of Montclair;
Thomas ]. S. Barlow. of Maple Shade,
with Emerson Richards, counsel; Charles
Il. Bacon, secretary, and f. M. Barradale,
assistant secretary"