The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-30
RAPID TRANSIT.

10 THE EDITOR OF THIS dEHALD:-t
How much longer will this most pressing neces.
siy OF the time be deayedi SO many public bene-
factors, much legislation and inventive ingenuity
both In plans for construction ana organization,
and as yet no practical result
Chambers street seems hitherto to have been the
only starting point OF every projected scheme, ana
none seem 10 have passed that point. Suppose o
new departure Is made, and we make a starting
point from the middle OF Westchester county,
among some Of the beautiful and picturesque vii
lagos and lakes In that vicinity, where so many res.
idents Of New York have country seats, anu many
more would reside II furnished with means OF
rapid transportation. Take, for instance, some one
OF the projected railways struggling for existence
through Westchester county, continue 1t to the
Harlem River, depressing 1t at street ana road
crossings, carrying 1t by viaduct the street
here would be railway which, thus
constructed, would obtain its right Of way through
the southern and most valuable lands OF West.
chester at comparatively nominal cost, and would
be patronlzed much better than any Of the rail-
ways crossing at grade; the saving in cost OF right
OF way would more than pay the additional cost IN
construction. Such railway tapping the Northern
travel and passing In the most practically direct
line to New York, running through the rich and
picturesque country between the Harlem Railroad
aud the DanOury ana Norwalk Railroad, con.
structed on this principle to the Harlem River, may
cross the river either by bridge or tunnel, and
would then become power sufficient to control all
the funds and influence necessary to advance It's
works through the City on system OF vladuct or
subterranean railway-belng from It's lnclplency
practically rapid transit railway.
What Is wanted w the pubic is a cheap and
rapid method Vi transportation from end to end OF
the island in comfortable vehicles drawn by steam
10 De continually running from either END at as
order TO accommodate through and way travel the
railway must be wide enough 10 admit vi az least
Jour tracks; the roadway must be perfectly safe, OF
sutlcient capacity, Ill the DrOadest sense oil the
term, and II Is absolutely essential that iJ be
wholesome atmosphere. Whatever plan may be
proposed which does not combine these entails
Is not what Is wanted by the people, VIII in all
PROBABILITY not procure the capital necessary Tor
construction, rasn statements of millions being
offered to tne contrary Notwithstanding.
Let US examine some OF the different plans, begin
way, dlsregardlng dor the sake OF argument) all
tile difficulties ana expense attendant on
driving tunnel under such a thorough
tare, through and qulcksand, below the
foundations VI immense buildings because we are
told that these are mere engineering difficulties,
disregard, however, the stubborn tact that these
immense buildings are the property OF capital
their loundatoas and here arises one very serious
opposition 20 this PLAN which OF Itself is probably
many years In the transportation OF passengers
argue That "YounS America Will not roe under
ground until he IS driven there: In the climate OF
through continuous tunnel, the Greater portion
beng through deep, open cuttings) the employees
subject TO peculiar disease ol the lungs con-
tracted In tue Impure atmosphere, which tncapaci-
tates them In lew months HOW much
more Impure the cpnhneu ar IN tunnel
under Broadway would become by dust and
smoke aud the eAuudtlon anu einuVia from the
SURROUNDINGS even Win venuAtlon, tose WAC
have passed through the Thames tunnel or the Lun-
mel under inc Chlcdiso river can appreciate. his
atmosphere, tom0.llae anu colu, Woulu DO dan-
gerous III lts erect 10 passengers during the
sulry months OF July ana August, Whcn
tney would pe suddenly, anu III q state OF
depths producing colds, rneumatlsns and levers,
tne result Ol THIS SUDDEN OF RAPID Transit from u
prousc perspfation 10 chill. lnese may De mere
opinions, put are nevertheless, worthy OI Cunsldera-
ton. The folly Oh suited railway, such as we