New-York tribune., 1873-01-30
Rapid TRANSIT CRITICISED.

OPINIONS OF PUBLIC ENGINEERS on IHE PROJECT.
In the Board of Aldermen, Alderman Van
shack ,ered. last THURSDAYS resolution that as the
last Legislature passed laws providing for two rapid tran
soads neither OF which has been begun, the Chief En
eiueerS o The Department. of Docks, OF the Department
of Parks aud OF the Department OF Pnblc Works shall
h. requested to submit their views of the requirements
of the cily in the matter Of Rapid Transit TRIBUNE
reporter called on the Chof Engineers OF the Depart
Iucntslur purpose OF learning their views on the sub
jcci.
Mr. Tracy. Chief Eugiueer Of the Department of Pub
lie Works. SAID that he understood the resolution to call
ior the combined opinion OF the engineers named in II
aud 70 prepare this it would be for them TO
meet examine the different projects which bad been
devised for rapid transit lie did not wish TO PREJUDICE
the matter by giving opinion on the spur OF the mo-
incnI He had taken interest in the subject and III
his Official capacity had been connected with the Van
,rin road 10 defend the interests Of the city; but
these we're matters Of detail which he would not wish
60 discuss until had gwen them careful examination
Mi. Bogart, Chief Engineer OF the Department OF
Public Parks said that the questions involved In the
dGrout rapid transit schemes lay, for the most part
outside IT the sphere oi engineering. The Gilbert
Elevated Road was in his opinion, perfectly praeti-
cable and the chief matter be considered in reference
its probable effect upon the value ohproperty
The streets and avenues through which It VIII run;
whether street be arehed over in the manner con-
tempated, without inurlng y as street Inets Were
question OF expense There donbt that it could be
sewerage aud waer-Pipes presented no obstacles Wncn
engineering skill could not overcome Inc worst polnt
the line would be found at Canalst', Ihe sewer
Through which large There were several pans
Tor obvaiing the difficulty one OF wnien was 10 IS1te ore
The contents of the sewer by an engine toward DOth
rivers from the point Of intersection. Mr. BOgart was
s-ked his opinion as to the propriey OF tns Gltt
3ug rapid transit road provided IL shouid not oe 1one
~ private enterprise lie answered that ne ndu not
,1ven the question much previous thought but he saw
no reason why the city might not properly and profit
ably that work as npon any oiher.form OF
the heavy expense involved IN work OF a pub
Die character. lie thought however, that In
future the economy and honesty might De prac
iced m public in private work There had been ltte
waste in the management Of the Central PARK Conms
political influence less than formerly lie peHeveu ina
The city would nd an immediate pron ~ se co aines
and of taxable property The central fark hsu
more recent Instance Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, Of
which he chief engineer, was planned ana alu out
or the purpose drawing to its neghborhood wealthy
rlass OF residents That city had been hlng up with
people who did business in New-York but could
c"stly houses were built. and only few
paid neS Hd td Rspd ra6s pcect con
necng the all parts Of one great scheme TO
make Brooklyn the nyal IN wealth Of NewY9rk. as t
Nsas fast becoming in population The Park had proved
a good investment and the enhancement of values mad
created sinking fund The upper part OF tne isian9 %
would rapidly be filed up with the best class OF resi,
AS readily as from Brooklyn OF Jersey City, and II pri-
enterprise could not provide tue means 70 ennDe
them ~ do so, he thought the ely "ouu nnu Pioh III
taking up the scheme. .u,,,- ~,
rhe reporter called at the Department OF Public Docks
but Gen. Mcclellan Chief Engineer. was not IN MS
office Mr. Kellogg, En- gneer OF Roads aud Avenues un-
der the Department OF Public Works and Engineer OF
fbe Central under the old Commission did not con
.ider himself included IN the resolution OF Alderman
Van Shaick He decidedly OF the opinion that some
mode of rapid travel from one end OF the Island 10 the
.ber should be adopted and carried through without
hrsson. the delays by the present routes %eTe & u
endurable He preferred OF albe plans that had Oeen
roposed the sunken track 10 between blocks, WIN
arched road-beds at the crossings. Ihls would aud
afiy fof fhe cO3t
tmpediments to travel in building and, on lnanY ac-
counts seemed 70 him 70 be the best and most just