Tubes

"Come on over into New York State," said a florid Irishman with gold teeth to a freckle-faced Irishman. They were shaking hands, and at a yank from Gold Teeth, Freckles crossed the border. "Come over to New Jersey," grinned Freckles, returning the yank. "I'll show you a good state!" The scene was 100 feet under the oozy bottom of the Hudson River and the Irishmen were Governors Smith of New York and Moore of New Jersey, "two outstanding Wets in a dry spot." They had on their tops hats and morning coats, for they were met-- where a line of blue mosaic was worked in the tiled wall to mark midstream--in the Holland* vehicular tunnel connecting Broome St., Manhattan, and 14th St., Jersey City, to signalize its completion. Largest river tunnel in the world,* the 50-million-dollar Holland project consists of two tubes, each for one-way traffic, 9,250 ft. long, with room for two lanes of traffic abreast. The ceilings are 13 1/2 ft. high; ventilation is by four stations operating 84 electric fans. Electric lights are placed every 20 ft. on each side; traffic lights every 240 ft. The capacity: 1,900 vehicles per hour at 12 m. p. h. each way. The tunnel will be opened to the public next spring, after thorough testing.

*Named for the late Engineer Clifford M. Holland who devised the system of fans that is guaranteed to keep the tubes freer of carbon monoxide than a car-crowded city street. *The next largest: Blackwell Tunnel, under the Thames in London; length, 6,200 ft.