The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-08
RAPID TRANSIT.
Arrangements for = Mass Meeting at
Cooper Institute.

Cooper Institute.
A meeting of the New York Rapid Transit Asso-
citation was held at their rooms. No. COZ Sixth ave.
nue., last night. Mr.. r. A. Witthaus presided aoa
Mr.. ). r. Ruggles acted as secretary. The meet
Ing was called for the purpose Of making arrange
ments Tor grand public mass meeting tObe held at
the Cooper Institute on the 18th inst
Mr. SIMEON Il. CHURCH, from the Executive
Committee, reported that the committee had
called on Mr.. Charles OC0nor and requested
MN 10 De one Of the speakers at tha<
meecing. Mr.. O'ConOr received them cordially
out called their attention to the act taa<
ne had written letter to the Louisville Convex
ton IN which he had taken q decided stand
against all governmental Interference In public
would be compelled to Decline Mr. Church alss
reported that the committee had addressed letters
to judges Daily Brady and Barrett; Hon. Fernando
Wood, Mr.. Martin. President OF the Weslside Asse-
citation; General Sigei Mr.. Edward PierrepOnt
snsa S1 a en- to
Their answers would probably be received by next
Mr.. DWIGHT N. OLMsTEAD SAID that several towns
IN Weschester county would like to send deiega-
lions to the meeting. He moved that these towns
Mr.. UISsTEAp said aid" that TWO rentemen inter.
ested in the Gilbert Elevated Railway had 0Hered
to act as Vice Presidents Of the meeting. These
gentlemen did not feel sure OF the success OF the
Gilbert Railway.
Mr.. CHURCH said that the Senate and Assembly
OF this association hearing on the 10th instant.
He said we must nave 100 men from the meet
and s MI the Senate CHAMBER. A vote was then
TAKEN and all the gentlemen present pledged
themselves to go to Albany
Edgar +. Brown. W. b. Harrison and Dwight N.
OImstead were appointed Committee to DRAFT
resolutions to be submitted to the meeting II
Mr.. CHURCH read an address, "shall the City Build
Railroad !" which VIII be distributed al over
next.
A Limo OF Railroad Around tho City
: Suggcsted-How It Should Bo Com
structed ana What It Will Cost.
PERTH AMBoY, N. j.. Jan. 80. 1873
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
What the city OF New York requires to secure
rapid transit line OF substantial railroad en-.
tirely around the water front OF the city. West
street. on the North River. should be continued 70
Spuyten Duywi Greek, and South street, on tho
East River. should be continued to the mouth 81
Harlem RIVER and thence along the Harlem ana
Spuyten Duyvil to Q junction with West street.
These streets should be nowhere less than 100 feet
or 125 feet wide.
The railroad should be outside of these border
streets, next to the wharves or river piers. II
should have two tracks to begin with, but retain
sufficient width to increase the number OF tracks
with the demands Of commerce when necessary.
The railroad should be elevated sixteen or
eighteen feet above the street and wharf level.
upon stone walls or stone PIERS iron or other SUBJ
stantlal supports, 80 to leave passages open
leading 70 ferries, river piers, wharves or ware
the old 'Battery Park" at the south end of the
city, should be made the site Of a grand depot not
only for railroad passengers but passengers Of
steamships and steamboats, from every quarter OF
the world: Its DAY as pleasure park has passed,
and like the old residences OF the merchants and
other wealthy citizens, winch once surrounded 1t,
must hencelOrth be used for commercial purposes.
The profile OF this road over rs entire length,
viii be dead level, and being upon the water front
and elevated above the streets, will not be liable to
and the rss sUeeS
any railroad can be made upon this.
From Spuyten Duyvii to the Battery, or Castle
Garden, Is thirteen and a half miles, thence to the
mouth Of the Harlem River, along the line OF the
East River Is about nine miles; thence along the
OF beginning is seven mlles-making the whole dis
lance around the city ABOUT twenty nine and hall
circular trip can be made around the city in one
hour and quarter to one hour and hall, includ.
ing stops but shorter trips, where travel requires
them, could be made as often rs required in both
This road can connect with all the railroads lead.
River, and enable them to deliver and receive their
passengers from the same dep0ts,
1t should be owned and controlled BY the city, ~
they own and control the water supply Passenger
depets can be constructed wherever required.
This road is now necessary, and in less than i've
tracks will be required for commercial purposes
and the conveyance OF freight and merchandise
from the interior railroads to st0rehouses and
depots on the piers and wharves OF the rivers,
where cargoes can be exchanged between the
shipping and cars without the Intervention Of
"truckage." which Is heavy tax upon commerce.
This road will be required to meet the great in
crease Of business in the port Of New YORK In the
near future. without it that business can scarcely
be done.
The country now contains about 10 900 miles of
railroad, with an equipment OF thousands OF loco
th0usan0Q
OF cars, forming commercial power such M
other nation can exhibit. These railroads, with
steamships from every part of the world, are head
ing for the great central port OF New fOrk-the
commercial metropolis Of the country.
The cost OF this thirty miles OF railroad will not
exceed $2o,oooooo, exclusive Of the right Of way
and depot Sites but including engines and cars.
Its value cannot be estimated as an aid to the
commerce and rapid transportation OF passengers
and things to the city OF New York.
H. X. CAMPBELL, Civil Engineer.
RAILROAD TAXATION In JERSEY.