The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 10

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 191T.

Building of Foutth Ave. Subway Clowns Decade of Qvfc Stragg 10 MISCELLANEOUS. of Aldermen McQowan, Congressman Calder and Senator McCarren, were the speakers, and resolutions were passed urging the Publlo Service Commission to Instituted the action and the Meyer and Levy actions were Joined, "After prolonged hearing, General i Tracy, to whom it was referred, finally Chief Engineer Predicts ESTABLISHED 50 YEARS Day's Hall, at which a citizens committee of one hundred, in aid of the Fourth avenue was named. This committee was organized on April 10, 1905. by the election of Daniel Moynahan of the West End Board of Trade as chairman, and James A.

Hayes of the South Brooklyn Board of Trude as secretary. Early Hearing Before Baptd Transit Commission. "A hearing was arranged before the Rapid Transit Commission the following week, to present the claims of Southern Brooklyn for the Fourth avenue subway. Its Early Completion hattan. In reply to a request for a word regarding the present condition and the outlook for tunnel building in Brooklyn, he said that his office was to work rather than to talk about It.

and, moreover, i Jeremiah J. O'Leary if Traces History of Agi- tation That Led to Con struction of South Brooklyn Tube. LOANS ON Diamonds, Watches, Jewelry, Furs and Fine Clothing, 1. PERSONS DESIRING FURS AND CLOTHINO STORED DURING THE SUMMER Gfl DO SO BY SECURING A SMALL LOAN. Unredeemed Pledges for Sale of NE of the feature! of to-day's South Brooklyn celebration will be the Inspection of the Fourth avenue subway.

The chairman of the committee on subways of the celebration committee Is Jeremiah J. O'Leary, who Is president of the West End Board of Trade. South Brooklynltes take eBpeclal pleasure In that portion of the celebration which relates to the subway. This Improvement was secured after a long struggle. A great deal of public spirit was exhibited by residents of the district to be benefitted.

They worked in season and out of the season for the accomplishment of their object. Even when the result was in doubt there were a few who kept up their courage. These are the leaders in to-day's demonstration. It was way back in 1H04 that the old Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners gave a pledge that the next subway built should be located In Brooklyn, but not until 1908 that the Board of Estl- IN THE SUBWAY EXCAVATION AT TWENTY-EIGHTH STREET. that meeting, and it was he who Invited Mayor Gaynor, who was Judge Oay-n or at the time, to speak.

In that speech Mayor Gaynor said, "We should build our own subways and run them." "Fourth Avenue Subway Must be Completed to Coney Island." "The Fourth avenue subway must be completed to Coney Island," said Mr. Monahan yesterday to an Eagle representative, "to meet the demand for rapid transit in our section and the outlying districts. "South Brooklyn Is growing more rap- Idly than any other section In the bor ough, and necessarily demands quick ana efficient traveling facilities. It Is my opinion that If the Fourth Avenue subway were running to-day, you wouldn't find a frame house in South Brooklyn five years from now. Fifth avenue is the busiest part of the city.

Its progress toward this condition was helped mate rially by the elevated road. Many residents of South Brooklyn protested against the unsightly structure at first, but It brought business and population. "The celebration to-day Is the culmination of a long fight for improvements In our section, and every householder should respond to its sentiments. But while the cleansing of Gowanus Canal and the installation of high pressure service are advances in the right direction, there remains the unfinished Fourth avenue subway, which we must demand to-morrow and the next day until It Is completed. I have unlimited faith in Mayor Gaynor, and I'm sure that South Brooklynltes who applauded his talk on the subway ques- SOUTH 1 V.

I ft I BROOKLYN CELEBRATION MISCELLANEOUS. PH0NE-31S2 A BROOKLYN PIONI Edwin C. Litchfield, Build! Litchfield The name of Litchfield Is among those of the men who for South Brooklyn In the earl Edwin C. Litchfield, builder of thl field Mansion In Prospect Park, the most Interesting landmarks Brooklyn, was born In 1816 at Onondaga County, N. Y.

He chun with General Henry W. Slocum dun, his school days. In 1852 he became terested In South Brooklyn real estat' and purchased extensive holdings. the Twelfth, Eighth and Twenty-second Wards. Shortly after this purchase, hei came to Brooklyn and took up his resi dence here.

Soon after he arrived he became interested In the development of the facilities of the Gowanus Canal and built about a mile of docks and basin along the canal. It was In 1854 that he built the Litchfield Mansion. It was located at the corner of Tenth avenue and Third street, on a part of the land that was afterward taken over into Prospect Park. Mr. Litchfield was the first to urge the laying out of the Park, and helped to 'interest James S.

T. Stranahan in the project. The heirs 'of Edwin C. Litchfield, under the corporate name of the Brooklyn Improvement Company, still own a good deal of the property In South Brooklyn which he acquired. The Litchfield Mansion Is now used as an office building by the Park Department.

Here by a Special Sale 30 to 60 TORE and RIGS 6x9 feet Brussels Rug $4.49 6x9 feet Velvet Rug 9x12 feet Brussels Rug. $8.00 9x12 Velvet Rug. $9.00 Guaranteed to Wear Well, THE DRAWING INKS ETERNAL WRITING INK ENGROSSING INK TAURINE MUCILAGE PHOTO MOUNTER PASTE DRAWING BOARD PASTE LIQUID PASTE OFFICE PASTE VEGETABLE GLUE, ETC. Is Being Commemorated A Saving ol BY BUYING 'ING FERN I CARPETS reported the city was more than Inside the debt limit, and this report was conflrmod by the Supreme Court. "At this Juncture another mass meeting was held at Prospect Hall, at which Justice Qaynor (now Mayor of the city) wag the sole speaker, and for two hours he discussed the subway question, paying his respects to the opponents of the Fourth Avenue Subway, and declaring in effect the day had passed In New York when city built subways would be turned over to railroad magnates to be exploited in stock watering schemes.

"After the rendering of the report, and following this mass meeting, South B.roklyn again laid siege on the Board of Estimate, and finally secured the ratification of six sections of the Fourth nvcuue ouDway, ny a unanimous vote, the Mayor and Controller Metz, Joining with the other members." Hugh V. Monahan a Pioneer In Subway Agitation. Hugh V. Monahan, who la one of the pioneers of South Brooklyn, both as a resident and In business, has played an importunt part In Its growth and development. For thirty-eighth years he has been identified with its history, and many of the reforms and improvements In the locality are due largely to his Initiative.

Mr. Monahan's office in his furniture tore on Fifth avenue, near Fourteenth street, was often in years past the scene of a meeting of local citizens seeking "Hugh's" aid and influence to secure some needed reform In South Brooklvn. It was Mr. Monahan who called the first meeting of the South Brooklyn Board of Trado. The well remembered mass meeting held In Prospect Hall In 1896 to protest against the continuance of trolley car accidents, which was the first big meeting of its kind in the city, was arranged at Mr.

Monahan's office, and he was the chairman. A long letter from Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher, which Mr. Monahan values very highly to-day, was read by him at that meeting. In the lot-ter Mrs.

Beecher commends Mr. Monahan warmly for his efforts to stamp out Leonard Michel. "these wreckless trolley car accidents." In most of the speeches a demand for fenders was made, and the railroad company Installed them shortly after. The late Mrs. Monahan and ten women from South Brooklyn called on Mrs.

Beecher' the following day and presented her with a huge bunch of roses grown in "Gowanus." When the mass meeting was held two years ago In Prospect Hall by South Brooklyn men, for the purpose of demanding bettor traffic facilities for South Brooklyn and a subway for Fourth ave- nue, Mr. Monahan was the chairman of 1 Katnhllohed Incorporated Tclrybouc -No. 10UT South, Jv Ik RBnnKiVM MFW act. "This was followed by special meetings by all the political and social organizations of South Brooklyn, at which resolutions were passed urging the Publlo Service Commission to act. Finally, on March 10, 1908, the commissioners adopted plans and drawings and proposed contracts for the Fourth avenue H.

V. Monahan. subway and sent them to the corporation counsel for his approval. On March 13, 1908, they were transmitted to the Board of Estimate for ratification. The Board of Estimate advertised them for hearing and action on March 20, 1908.

"On March 19 the day before the hear ing, a mass meeting was held at Prospect Hall under the auspices of the citizens committee of one hundred, at which 6,000 people were present. It was at this meeting Mr. Metz announced he came from Missouri, too, and would have to look Into the matter before he voted for It. The meeting disclosed that the whole borough was behind the project. Controller Prendergast, then register of Kings County, unequivocally declared for the Fourth avenue subway In these words: "Brooklyn owes It to herself to support the Fourth avenue subway, because It means that If we are defeated there Is no other Improvement which the borough could obtain In ten years." Packed Meeting of Estimate Board.

"The Board of Estimate meeting of March 20, 1908, was packed to the doors all wearing the badge 'Fourth Avenue and awaited with breathless silence the action of the board. Controller Metz moved that the matter be referred to a committee to report at the next meeting. This resolution was defeated. The main resolution was then put and failed to receive a two-thirds vote, the Mayor and Controller voting In the negative. Mr.

Metz then renewed his resolution to refer the matter to himself and Corporation Counsel Pen dleton, which was carried. Daniel Moy nahan, as chairman of the delegation present, asked permission of the Mayor to say a few words to the board regard ing their position In the matter. Mc-Clellan refused to recognize him or the delegation and declared the board ad journed. 'The hearings before the committee were a mere excuse for delay, but they brought Into the movement the New York Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association, the labor organizations, the Brooklyn League and the clvlo organizations throughout Brooklyn, as a unit for the Fourth Avenue Subway. Instead of allaying the agitation as was hoped, they increased- it.

The citizens of South Brooklyn appealed to the Individual members of the board and to all the political organizations of the city, finally securing the assur- ance of, a majority vote when It came up for final action. Controller Metz then announced he would procure an injunction restraining tho board from acting until the debt limit waa established and the Levy injunction was obtained and served ou the Board of Estimate, blocking any action for the time. Fqurth Avenue Subway League is Organized. "The Fourth Avenue Subway League was organized about this time, and a joint meeting of the League and West End Board of Trude was bad wherein It wafl determined to bring a counter citizen's action. Alonzo G.

Mel.oughlin, Frank A. Hutson ami Matthew M. Wood were employed as counsel to see that the debt limit action was pushed. (Mejev of the Subway Leagu iwwc nws BftElflfl 4 Founded on Fifty Brewing riSJL Brewers and HI puu ucci, EDk I The brewery has LJVvl 150,000 barrels of Fourth and m0Xmt ance of, a majority vote when It came up for final action. Controller Metz then announced he would procure an injuno- tion restraining tho from acting until the debt limit was established and the Levy injunction was obtained and served ou the Board of Estimate, blocking any action for the time.

Fqurth Avenue Subway League is organized. "The Fourth Avenue Subway League was organized about this time, and a joint meeting of the League and West I JntnrmlnnH I i hl'inir a rnnntpr In respense fo the call of the citizens committee, over a thousand business men of South Brooklyn attended the meeting. On June 1, 19UG, the Rapid Transit Commission adopted the Fourth avenue route to Fort Hamilton. The committee of one hundred presented the matter to the Board of Estimate on July 7, 1905, and it was finally approved by the Board of Estimate on July 14, 1905, and signed by the Mayor on July 28. 1905.

The mat ter was then presented to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, In ac cordance with the provisions of the rapid transit act, and the court approved of the route on June 18, 1906, to begin at Fort Hamilton and extend north alone Fourth avenue. 'The result of all these proceedings was only to establish on paper the Fourth avenue subway route. The realization of the ultimate aim of the com mittee, it was evident, must have in its train the entire public opinion of Brooklyn, and on this task the committee con centrated its efforts during the intervening time. It was evident from the fail-ture to get a bid for construction and operation of the east side subway that the traction syndicate was In the saddle, and in order to break its power bids for construction and operation must be separated and all the organizations of South Brooklyn appeared before the Legislature in aid of the amendment, permitting the letting of the contracts separately. On.

December 7, 1906, the Board of Estimate, by resolution, requested that alternative bids be received for (1) construction and (2) for construction, equipment and operation. Force of Public Opinion Wins Victory. "With the road clear, the citizens committee then directed the force of public opinion on the Rapid Transit Commission to secure an effectual authorization of the Fourth avenue subway. The hoard was a tie on the proposition, and Controller Metz, who was then an enthusiastic supporter of the project, se cured the appointment of William Hurley to the vacancy caused by the reoiguatlon of Morris K. Jesup, by which a majority of one was assured If Mr.

Orr, who was 111, could attend. South Brooklyn meantime had been aroused to a high pitch by the agitation, and the attendance at the meeting was so large they filled the room and halls and blocked the elevators and passageway of the building. At this Juncture, the ad vocates of the Coney Island spur came on tho scene, and through the per slstency of Frank A. Hudson secured the Inclusion of the extension to Coney Island In the Fourth avenue subway. At this memorable moetlng the Fourth ave nue subway was authorized, and forms of contracts directed to be prepared and advertised for objection as to form.

After a hearing on the contracts they were adopted and transmitted to the Board of Estimate for ratification. "On June 4, 1907, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment passed the necessary resolution ratifying the action of the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners and authorizing them to let contracts for construction only for the Fourth avenue subway, Including terminals near Fort Hnmllton and Coney Island. "The Public Service Commission came Into being on July 1, 1907, and they Immediately assumed the attitude of the proverbial Mlssourlnn they had to be shown. They sent, for the controller and president of the Board of Aldermen, and were assured that $23,000,000 was appropriated. Still they hesitated.

Prospect Hall Mass Meeting, Sept. 11, 1907. "The allied clvlo bodies of South Brooklyn held a mass meeting at Prospect Hall on September 11, 1907, attended by over 3,000 people to protest against the delay. Controller Metz, Borough President Coler, President of the Board RSON 0 The Eagle had kept the public informed of the progress of the work right down to date, but Mr. Craven said: "We hare not met with any difficulties In making excavations that we could not easily overcome.

Brooklyn soil Is sandy, and we only now and then find a troublesome bowlder. It may be that we shall encounter unexpected difficulties in the future as we go on with the prosecution of this Improvement, but I am quite con-, fldent that we shall also be able to overcome them. As to the matter of completing the road on contract time, that' would be a very difficult question to answer, under the circumstances. Some obstacles have been encountered in the way of getting possession of real estate as promptly as was hoped for, and there have been delays from other causes. This loss of time has not been serious, bow-ever.

It Is to be hoped that we shall make unexpected gains in other directions and by this means be enabled to finish the subway at very nearly the time that we expected to when we began." Jeremiah J. O'Leary, Subway Com mittee Chairman, Details Struggle for Fourth Avenue Tube, "Southern Brooklyn was the first to realize the importance to this borough of an extension of the subway across the East River, and as early as 1902 a committee of the West End Board of Trade composed of Daniel Moynahan, Elmer S. White and James P. Farrell, appeared before the Rapid Transit Commission in support of the proposition of Albert and Tom Johnson to build a subway from the Battery by way of Hamilton or Atlantic avenues to Coney Island. The then Rapid Transit Commission considered the project visionary.

"South Brooklyn meantime was buny seeking new Bchools and better pave- MM J.f vs 7i Jeremiah J. O'Leary. mcnts until 1904, when It concentrated Its energies on the subway qucKtlon, by the appointment of President Joseph Hart of the est Knil Board of Trade of tho Fourth avenue subway committee V. PATT i AT THIS SALE MATTING RUGS, FANCY AND PLAIN COLORS 27x54 inches 36x72 inches 6x9 feet 9x12 feet $2.25 Brussels and Velvet Rugs mate voted unanimously to proceed with the long looked for Fourth avenue sub-May. This Is a date that will long he remembered by the workers for the tunnel in South Brooklyn.

There had previously been seven or eight years of agitation. But there was use for patience oven after the road bad been approved by the Board of Estimate. It took long time to make the planB and surveys, so that It was not until November 13, that ground was actually broken. The sixth section of the road was begun at the west side of Fourth avenue, corner of Twenty-seventh street, on December 10. Since that te.

the work has gone on steadily at various points on the route. The gigantic task which subway builders encountered in Manhattan, where they were required, in some instances, to bore through solid rock, have not been met with In Brooklyn. What has been domon-! strated Is, that It takes a very long time i to secure official approval of a subway route, many days are consumed in making the plans; years come and go while the road building proceeds. More Than 70 Per Cent of Excavation Completed, Those who will inspect the Fourth avenue subway to-day will find that more than 70 per cent, of the excavation is done. The steel and concrete construction Is proceeding satisfactorily at certain points along the line.

In all the six sections which comprise the four miloa of four-track road, reports show the i work going ahead. Reports show that the entire road is to be completed on tlmo, or nearly so. While the completion of the Fourth avenue subway according to the plans now being executed will be a mighty stimulus to the growth of South Brooklyn, the building of the extensions which will undoubtedly follow are to continue and irentlv IncroHwe tilts ih'ck'phk. Flav Ridge. Dyker Heights.

Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach, Coney Island and much in- termediate territory will he trans- I formed. The entire Borough of Brooklyn will be benefited by this development, i But Slightly shopworn. Fast colors, 5x8 for this Cele- QQ bration Sale or July 4th We have cut our prices for this great sale on all Brass and IRON BEDS, Parlor Suits, Pier Mirrors and Rockers. Imperial Edge, best quality Hair Mattresses, guaran- $ga49 teed 50 all sizes, A. C.

A. Ticking Cut prices on all Go-Carts and Refrigerators. a M. Years of Expert Experience. fn Bottlers of Later lfn H.V.

MONAHAN, Inc. 5TH 12TH to 13TH STS. vies cum unci 0 iu a yearly capacity JQSa Beer and Ale of the IMJ Sam ALL HAIL The whole City of New York will be a with power to confer and seek the co-gainer. Such quick communication at a operation of all civic bodies along the low fare as the subway system furnishes proposed route, including Statcu Island. Is a mighty builder.

I "This committee conferred with the Chief Engineer Alfred Craven, who lias Rapid Transit Commission and the cor-the supervision of the work of building potation counsel on tho question of the Fourth avenue subway, was seen by route, and asked the co-operation of the The Eagle representative at the office of other clvlo organizations, with the result the Public Service Commission In Mt.n-I.that a meeting of delegates was held at Bond Brooklyn. "South Brooklyn Day" Spirit! Don't be a Cuckoo! Believe in Your Own Town and Boost It Patronize Its Establishments Use Its Manufactures! Put Your Eggs in Your Own Basket! HIGGINS' (Made in Brooklyn for Thirty Years) The Finest and Best Goods of Their Kind AT DEALERS GENERALLY. CHAS. M. HIGGINS Have already made Gowanus famous and the great improvement which Gowanus C2lebrates to day will make our great city proud of both.

Manufacturers. 271 NINTH BROOKLYN. N. Y. Branches: Chicago London NEV1NS, UNION and SACKETT STS.

I men H. Plttinger, President, J. Herbert Wataon, vice Pres. Treasurer Juhu Y. Vnn Wloklen, Secretary, WnTfiM Xi PiTTINhhH lIMIOUII Cb lllllllUL.ll rj mm pa pa pk ffl jt gz ga fl Ixms Distance "Phone 73 South.

KROMBACH'S YACHT HOTEL THEODORE KROMBACH, Prop. Third Cor. 25th Street Established 1857. j' tion at Prospect Hall two years ago can feel assured to-day that his treatment of the Fourth avenue subway matter will be beneficial to us In the end. Let the city build its subways, and let the Mayor write the contract with the operating company or companies, and the people of Brooklyn will be well served.

No one knows better than Mayor Gaynor how to write a binding and reasonable contract." IMPORTANT IN HISTOET. South Brooklyn Is the section of the city where the most Important engage ment In the battle of Long Island was fought. The Old Stone House of Gow anus, located near the corner of Fifth I avenue and Third street, waa the center ol that engagement. EkwIilUfall iWBRiiiioi 8 8 MJS PL Wa I 9 An Ha S. I J.

II a I .1 A I uarrn si. ana nwanus uznai President and General Manager BROOKLYN, N. Y..