The New York herald., 1922-05-30

city would construct a tunnel 10 supply
rapid transit, which. OF course, is what
must have been meant by the local traf-
tic needs of Staten Island
Tie Governor reviewed the history OF
various plans offered by predecessors Of
the Transit Commission for transit SER
vice for Staten Island up 10 the time
when the Board OF Estimate approved the
former Public Service Commission tun-
mel plan just before the war
DeIaney's record.
''The war came on. No new construc-
tion of course was possible. but with the
termination of the war; with the COM
pletion of the Fourth avenue subway
in Brooklyn. there was no reason for
delaying the work on this project for a
tunnel to connect that subway with
staten Island.
That was the logical step. 1t was
the step laid down in the program, and
j am going to give those who were then
In authority the credit 10 say that they
then undertook in good faith TO carry out
that step. and the man vino was then in
a position to do it was the Rapid Transit
Commissioner. Mr.. Delaney. who is
now. as YOU know. the Dock Commits
sioner. and who is believed TO be the
Mayors adviser ON rapid transit mat
ters
Now. Mr.. Delaney did undertake
during his two years of incumbency to
begin the work necessary to construct
this tunnel and the Board of Estimate
made an appropriation TO pay the eX-
penses necessary for the preliminary
plans and the borings, which were nee
essary in order TO prepare those plans.
And the work of making those borings
was actually in progress in 1920.
Then the Transit Commission was
created. I am not going into detail to
discuss the many reasons which made
It appear necessary to create hat COM
mission.
He reviewed the formation of the
Transit Commission and its subway
plans and added that the city must
help.
The work. he said. can not be done
without cooperation of the city admin
istration.
"They must approve and they must
vote the issue of corporate stock to
finance it," he added, "but the Transit
Commission. the only legally constituted
authority having the power TO provide
for this thing. which the chief engineer
of the city says is 10 be done alongside
OF this proposed trunk line freight and
passenger service, that Commission has
prepared the tentative plans.
And l say TO you, that If the city
administration will cooperate, IL the
Board OF Estimate will sit around the
table with the Transit Commissioners.
as they have been invited to do. and
will consider that plan or any other
plan which they have to propose. and
then in their united wisdom viii agree
upon some plan. there is no reason
rnder the sun why the dirt should not
be flying before fall in the construction
of this tunnel,
lie said the overflow population from
Manhattan should spread out to Rich
mond and Queens, and added:
You can accomplish that in only one
way. and that is by municipality owned
system. all operated as a unit, carrying
people from every part of the city to
every other part all for single fare"
The B. and o. Advantage.
Taking up the question of the freight
yards. the Governor said:
You want homes. not freight yards.
And let me tell you another thing:
That the people of Staten Island cannot
be vastly interested in providing right
of way for the trunk line railroads OF
the West to reach New England across
your island. You are interested in
booking up with the trunk line railroads,
but your island is too valuable to devote
It 10 freight yards.
II think the Hackensack meadows are
n much more suitable place. / am not
charging anybody with doing things for
the interests but If was in the shoes OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad would
be mighty glad 10 have the city of New
York spend 100000 to give me a con-
Meeting tunnel which the other rail-
roads have had TO construct for them
selves. And do not forget that II the
city spends this $50. 900 on that tun-
mel there will be precious little hope o.
The $20.000,000 or the s17,00o,000 or
$1s,ce0.00 which is all that is needed to
give you a tunnel for rapid transit
alone"
Speaking of the motives OF the city
administration in favor of the freight
tunnel, he said:
That was n possible motive, and all
through this literature which they have
put out they contrast their freight prop
osition with that OF the Port Authority.
Another possible motive was to provide
Cor the Stapleton piers. which, like many
other public undertakings not well con-
ceived. are begun hindsight foremost.
They are out there. You can reach
them by lighters"
He said he had no quarrel with the
city administration and favored home
Smith. referring to his run at the last
election in New York city. Reverting
to the tunnel project of the Transit Com
mission he said:
That is the plan that has been de-
signed. There are two alternative routes
on whii,h the Transit Commission viii
10 doubt hear evidence and then con-
clude upon the facts as 10 which should
lie selected and the detailed plans are
already far in advance. so that when
the plan shall finally be determined
upon the only thing that win be lacking
win be the approval Of your Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment. That will
be necessary. You can't get that tunnel
unless they cooperate. and / am trying
10 tell the people of Staten Island a few
plain truths in order that IN the public
interests they may use a little persuasion
which may lead TO cooperation. because
81 public opinion will make itself felt 1t
viii soon cease 10 be good politics to
play with the interests Of the people.
uEARCT UNPOPULAR