The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-02
RAPID TRANSIT.

The Contracts for the Work ON the
Underground Route Between the City
Hall and the Grand Central Depot Not
Yet Assigned-The CONNIE ncement of
the Work Indefinite as to Tfme-The
Gilbert Project.
More desired, IL 1t were possible, than silver or
gold by the citizens OF New York, is the consum-
nation Of one or some OF the many schemes which
have from time to time vainly promised them the
means of rapid transit. Most prominently kept be-
fore the public, because 0stensbly backed by the
most enterprise and the most capital, has been
that project Of Commodore Vanderbilt's which pro-
poses to undermine the houses and streets OF the
city alike, and in the mysterious passages to be
be formed underneath to cause to be
run locomotives and trains OF cars, as in
some wonderful though narrow subterranean
world. The stupendity Of the design and Of the
expenditures OF money which would be necessary
in order partially to realize its brilliant bene
fits invested 1t, no doubt, with a grandeur
which philosophers do say has very much to do
often with impressions made upon the credulity Of
otherwise wOrldly-wse critics. 1t Is the relapse
after wide public sentiment OF appreciation Of
which has undoubtedly been the cause OF
THOSE RUMORS
recently started silenced and revived regarding
the probabilities OF 1t being either abandoned or
ultimately carried out. Again and again the first
intimation has been made, and even after Mr. Van
derbilt himself in conversatiO with a representa-
tive OF the HERALD, said distinctly what his real
determination was 1t found currency.
A reporter OF the HERALD yesterday called at
the Offices OF the gigantic corporations OF which
Mr.. Vanderbilt is the grand mpersoration OF ex-
ecutive power and tried to see him, but found to
had been too mucs for the Commodore e and that
he had gone out "on the road" with his Meet
limbed nags. Mr.. Buckhout, his energetic and
ever, and received the reporter with his usual
kindly politeness. Mr.. Brckhout said that there
NO NEW THINGS TO BE SAID
regarding the great project but he was sure that
there would be something new next week. The
trary to rumOr. AS to Mr.. Vanderblt's ideas re-
garding the future prosecution OF the work, he
said that he had no authority to speak for
him ut all; but from personal knowledge
of the character OF his chief, he could de-
clare that as every one who knew him was
pened yet Tor him to make a promise and evade
fulfilling 1t. When he asked for the charter for the
underground road he Bound himself, If 1t was
granted him, to carry out its provisions and
very far from being his habit to put his hand to the
plough and look back while turning the fnrrow, as
SOME measures pressed at Albany this Winter
which could explain all this delay.
Mr.. BuckhOut could give no information regard
ing
THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK
below Forty second street.-The subject which ex-
cites the most attention among business men and
owners of real estate. The plans and specifca-
tions for the work, however, all in readiness
for the assignments to be made. Some beautiful
drawings of the proposed tunnels from the City
Hall to the Grand Central depot were shown, which
certainly on paper looked feasible enough. The first
excavation will probably take place In 'front.' OF the
new Post Office, where the fine underground depot
is to he built. How soon 1t Is to be commenced can
not yet be learned.
THE GILBERT ELEVATED ROAD.
In reference to the other projects OF rapid transit
1t may he said that there is nothing new under the
sun. The Gilbert Elevated Railway, according to
y "A 70 w N n
rapidly constructed The contracts have been as
signed to manufacturers out OF town, and when
the work Is completed IT Will be brought here IN
of time