The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03

How the Question Will Come Up This VIM
ter-Pr0spects of the Several Projects
Before the Legfslature-The Central Un-
derground, West Side and YOnkers Eie-
waited and the Arcade.
Ten years have elapsed since the question Of
steam transit TO Harlem became one OF the leading
questions Of the day, and yet the solution OF the
problem appears to be as remote as ever. great
deal Of sp eculative thimbe rigging has been done;
q couple OF valuable monopolies have been granted
by the Legislature. about 100000 hos been ex-
pended in lobbying besides the pledging OF 81 100000
or more in stock; $1,25O, 900 in round figures has
been frttered In useless experiments; and yet
again forces are being marshaled for third great
contest at Albany this winter, when, 1t Is to be
hoped something worth doing may be done In the
way OF legislation. The first real legislative action
in the premises was taken In 1855, when provision
was added to the general railroad law OF the State,
providing that o road might be built, beginning
within the county OF New York and ending without
the county, which provision was engineered
through the Legislature by G. I. Harvey. since
known the manager OF the Elevated. In 1851. Mr..
Harvey having perfected his plans, the Legislature
passed modification OF bin providing for the
construction OF three elevated roads,
West side and YOnkers ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, 900 900
Broadway Elevated, north, to river 10, OoOOoO
East side, north, to point beyond river.. 100000
The three companies had been formed and the
papers filed IN the ONCE Of the Secretary of State In
July, 1866 and, in 1867 at cash expense OF 10000,
with pledging of stock to the amount OF ,0O6 o00
the legislative sanction was obtained In the case OF
the West Side and Yonkers The engineer made an
estimate that $4,000 would be needed to complete
an experimental half mile Of the road and, the
money having been paid in, In July, 1857 the work
was begun, and $25O,oOO has been expended in ex-
perlmelts.
The first bill for au underground railroad was
passed in 1887 ALSO in favor of the Manhattan Rail-
road Company which proposed to build tunnel
from the Battery to Harlem, by way OF Broadway
and Fifth avenue. The bill was vetoed by Governor
Fenton. through the influence AZ was supposed, OF A.
y Stewart, VINO has uniformly opposed the building
elevated. II has been generally conceded that the
Manhattan Railroad Company was Incorporated IN
good faith, and would have constructed the needed
road had the bill been passed; though, in the pres
ent stage OF engineering investigation. II must be
conceded that the action OF the Governor which
very unpopular at the time, not 80 deficient In
wisdom as was at first supposed. The succeeding
session was overwhelmed with railroad projects
the Peoples Railroad, the Peoples Metropolitan and
Suburban Railway, the Metropolitan Underground
ground, the vandenburg Tunnel and the Arcade,
entering the field The struggle was In the end lin
tied to the Central Underground and the Arcade the
latter winning the race at an expense or 100000
and pledge of stock to the amount
OF 100000 THIS year the prospect is that three Of
these projects will appear at Aibany-the Central
Underground for certain notifications and
newal or the grant. the conditions not having been
complied with; the Broadway Elevated, originally
part OF G. I. Harvey'S programme, and the Arcade.
THE WEST SIDE ELEVATED ROAD
will probably ssOn be extended to Thrtleth street
by way OF tapping the Hudson River Railroad. The
amount expended upon 1t thus far Is as follows:-
Experimental capital. 500, 900
Loan negotiated through Lockwood Co... 800, 900
Recent subscriptions to complete the road to
Thirtleth street. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, 100000
Total $3.50 900
OF the latter subscription fifty per cent abated,
the realization In cash being 900, which leaves
amount OF $780, 900 as the sum actually expended.
In the meantime, for over Two years-or rather two