New-York tribune., 1872-03-21

HOW FOURTH-AvE. CAN BE RENDERED LESS
DANGEROUS TO PEDESTRIANS - PROPOSED
COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE RIVAL UNDEk-
GROUND COMPANIES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuHEl
ALBANY March 2O.-The Assembly Railroad
Committee met this afternoon to hear argument on the
propostlou to sink the tracks Fourth-ave. above
Forty-second-st They addressed by Allan Camp
bell an engineer, who was requested, In conjunction
with Alfred W. Craven, 10 examine the line ana report
to the Company on advsability Of some plan which
would meet the objections OF property-holders ana at
the same time afford accommodation to persons entering
the depot lie read the report, which states that the
present was lad by the authority Of the Legis
ature and Common Council while the upper part OF the
city was unimproved and long before the avenue was
opened street. The land was purchased nom
Twenty-sixth-st. to the Harlem River by
the Company, and the street widened
from 100 feet to H0 by legislative
enactment, provide great railroad avenue. All the
rights exercised the Company have been confirmed by
the Legislature and Common Council Propery-owners
along the line purchased with full knowledge OF these
facts The report recommends that the present road
surface from FoTy-secOnd 70 F0rtynnthst remain un-
disturbed but the tracks should be inclosed with iron
railngs to prevent crossing road bridges should be
the various points above that for the accom-
mediation OF travel. The present tunnel from Sixty
eighth to Seventy 6rsts should remain and above One
hundredand-f all the streets will pass through
arches under the present viaduc This pan tDey thlnK
will provide for all cross traffic and leave the
Company to work their trains uninterrupted, with
out the ringing OF bells. The plan Is substantially
the same as that submitted by j. c. Buckhout Engineer
OF the road Gen. Sandord Of NewYork spoke in favor
Of the foregoing plan. He had no doubt that people
who paid 500 $500 for lots along the line would like to
the road covered and garden put on II, De-
cause it would greatly enhance the value OF their prop
erty But the public would not be benefited by the tn-
nel The $4,000 people who travel daily on this
road would object to the tunnel because IL Is unhealthy,
and trains could travel rapidly in it. Mr. jerks OF
the Nineteenth Ward Reform Association contended, IN
opposition. the Railroad Company took the fran
chise subject the right Of the people TO the use of that
avenue and the cross streets. The license Of
the Common Council, permitting them to have
their tacks on that avenue, expired in 1862. and
though 1t may have renewed by the Common Coun-
ell it has not been renewed by the Legislature which
passed an act in 1859 merely authorizing them to use
steam on the avenue. There is already one mile of
tunnel on the avenue. and II that Is not injurious to
health the extra mile and half will do no harm. We
at the expense of the Company, but arched over the
city should bear part Of the expense Mr.. Vail also
addre the Committee in favor of bill to compel
the Company to sink tracks and arch them
The Committee have finally decided to report favor
ably the central underground plan OF rapid transit to
the City OF New York. a proposition viii be made by
them In the morning the Senate Railroad Committee
to effect compromise the basis OF payment by the
Central Underground TO the Beach pneumatic, for the
cost of already done by the latter III Success
full both Committees will then report 10 their respective
Houses the central underground; II lnsuccessfu the
Assembly Committee Will report the latter, we tue re-
port OF the Senate Committee will stand at present In
favor of the Beach Pneumatic.