New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-10

A RAILROAD IN BkOADWAHs
We print on another page most able ant
forcbe argument lately addressed BY Mr..
T. Williams Of this city to the Railroad Com
mitteo of the Assembly, in behalf Of those own
ers of Broadway property who oppose the con
struction Of Railroad in that great thorough
fare, Off one must be-propose to construct
it Themselves on terms more favorable to the
public than those profered by the rival appli'
cants for charter. This speech will be found
to cast much light pot merely on City Rail-
roads, especially in crowded streets, but on
franchises and legislation generally, and cspe'
cially on the legislation by which personal in
terests are sought to be promoted. We COM
mend it to earnest attention.
On the initial question, however. We must DO
understood as not agreeing with Mr. Williams.
We believe that o railroad in Broadway is iu-
evitable-tbat it is useless to fight against the
palpable convenience aud economy OF such q
road to the far greater number of the persons
interostcd-and shat the practical question Is
how to charter and construct such road in
the manner most advantageous 70 the many
while doing the least possible harm to the few.
And TO this end, We throw out the following
suggestions:
J. lie. charter for a Broadway Railroad
be framed in ute, independence Of all sppli-
cants and oppOsers, with single eye to the
greatest good Of the greatest number. IL it
be necessary to widen Broadway at certain
points where it is narrowest, let 1t DO 90
widened az the cost of the Railroad.
2 Run one car every half minute during the
hours of greatest travel, aud every minute or
two minutes ut other hours, as experience
shall show to be requisite, from Madison Square
down Broadway to the City Hall Park. Prob
ably one every FIVE minutes from midnight to
o'clock would answer.
3. From the Park, let the 6rst car run down
Fulton 70 West.street through West to Court
landt, thence up Courtlandt ~ Broadway, aud
50 back to Madison Square. Let the next one
run down Broadway TO the South Ferry and
back. Let the third run down to Fulton and
through Fulton TO the Fulton Ferry, returning
to the Park through Bcekman street. Let the
next stop at tho Park and take the back
truck; and, il it il found beat to have each al
ternate car stop at the Park, so be it.
4. Let the fare in these care be three cents
per ride, and let each be attended by porter
whose duty it shall be to load trunks overhead
swiftly at the Ferries and unload them at the
hotels and rae rersa. charging three cents
extra for each hundred weight Of baggage;
under ten pounds, free.
8. Let every omnibus DO vigorously excluded
to and from the cars on tho lateral and up
town streets: Fare three cents. If the omni-
bus lines suffer by the change, let them be
fairly compensated By the Company. But they
need not lose.
q. Compel the Company to provide spacious
and comfortable waitng-rooms at each ferry,
at the Park, rnd at Madison square; for ladies
may often choose to await the expected com
ing of a father husband or brother, az their
place Of Tearing the cars. They may also have
to wait for the right omnibus.
Z. When you have fixed everything just right
for the public, without regard to the inportu-
mites of borers and strikers, put the franchise
up at auction and knock it down to the bidder
who will give most for it, stipulatng forfeit
urs of bis rights by any serious breach Of his
contract.
Such q railroad would immensely relieve
broadway, rendering its navigation far more
pleasant and safe than it has been these twenty
years, reducing the cost Of transportation. send.
lug tens Of thousands Of travellers to and from
the ferry-boaIs for si1psnce who must now pay
q hard-earned dollar, (often more, and pre-
venting an enormous destruction of fabrics and
clothing by the subtle, penetrating dust daily
ground from the Broadway pavements by the
iunumerable omnibus-wheels which infest that
great artery.
SO much for what ought 10 be. What rill
be, we do not care to guess-probably, for the
present, nothing. Ultimately, however, Broad.
way will be trayersed by the right sort Of rail.
road; aud then every one will marvel how We
got on without il so long.