The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
RAPID TRANSIT.

second Street To be Finished In Two and
Half Years mt the Latest-Views OF
MIR. w. III. VanderbiIt-WhatH He Thinks
Of the Attempt OF the City State to
Build Road.
A reporter OF the HERALD called yesterday on
Mr.. Isaac G. Buckhout experimenting Engineer of
the Fourth avenue Improvement, to ascertain ad-
ditonal details in regard to the proposed under
ground railway. Mr.. Buckhout gave the reporter
the following facts in regard to the work from the
City Hall to Forty-second street 1.-THE condition of
the work from the depot to the river was described
in the HERALD OF last Tuesday, -
REPoRTER-Is there any foundation for the rumor
that Commodore Vanderbilt has no intention OF
pushing the work from the City Hall to Forty
second street,
Mr.. BUCKHOUT-If that Is his intention l do not
know it, or course am not authorized to speak
for him, but he has given to me intimation of
any such intention.
REPoRrER-ls the work going nowf
Mr. BUCKHoUT-Well, am receiving proposals;
a great deal of work has already been done. The
surveys OF all lands, profles, surface lines Of
avenues and streets, levels for new sewers-in fact
all surveys have been completed. Then, we have
already the printed specifications Tor the whole
work and the plans for all the depOts.
REPoRTER-How soon will you put your men to
work on the rOad9
Mr. BUCKHouT-This work is Just as likely to he
commenced in two weeks as the other work from
the depot the river. The public have had doubts
about the whole enterprise, and now, you see, the
doubts about the latter part Of the work have al
ready been dispeled.
REpORTER-In case you should accept any one of
the proposals now many men would you put TO
work
Mr. BuoKHoUT-Probably between two and three
thousand would be put to work as soon as any one
OF the proposals has been accepted-that is, as
soon as the disappearance OF the frost would per-
init and as soon as the tracks OF the city lines
could be changed. These tracks are In the way, OF
REPoRrER-what are your plans in regard to the
Mr. BvcKHouT-They will probably be cars with
sliding doors at the sdes-not at the ends-and
seats crosswise, somewhat like those on the Eng
sh roads. There will be doors for each compart-
ment. 1t is impossible TO say how many trains
will be run, but 1t will be safe to say every
five minutes at any rate. the work VIII probably ,,
at the latest. should be happy to give you more
detailed information, but 1t Is almost Impossible as
yet to say anything definite
The reporter next called on Mr.. W. II. Wander
bilt, who received him with much politeness
Mr. VANpERBILT-Nothing that mas been said In
the Board of Directors or by Commodore Wander
blt would justify the belief that this work from the
City Hall to FOrty-secOnd street is to be given up.
If that is his intention, don't know it, You see
there are great many difficulties in the way-the
rock the water pipes, the gas pipes People don't
appreciate all these difficulties
KEPoRTER--How soon will men be put to workY
Mr.. VANpERBILT-0h, it's impossible to say that.
There are the contractors, the engineers-there
are too many people to be consulted. We intend
to have the other work finished In two years, but
the contractors don't know how many difficulties
they may encounter. There Is the rock cutting and
piling and where are you going to take the earthy
The best plan will be to carry II out OF the city by
rall-there's filing up to be done in the city. AS
for the cars they will probably be made to accom-
modaie thirty or forty persons.
REPORTER-Will the road be managed on the plan
of the underground railway In Londons
Mr.. VANDERBILT-NO; we expect to improve on
that. The London Railway Is as dark as PITCH
This road Will be as light as this tunnel. There
will be way stations half mile apart-say every
eight blocks You could not make much Roadway
II YOU had them closer. 1t rather dampens the
spirits OF private individuals to see that the whole
power OF the city State Is to be leagued against
them to build another underground railroad
There is a bill now before the Legislature appro-
prating $4,000 600 for building one from the
to stop legislation; but 1t Is no encouragement for
private individuals who expect to realize the inter-
est on their money. The work from the City Hall
the depot will alone cost eight or ten millions VI
dollars -
REpoRTER--Can you tel me II the work will he
given up In case the bill should pass the Legis-
laturef
Mr. vANDERBur--I am sure don't know what
the directors would do. IL would all depend on
circumstances the Board would probably meet to
take the matter into consideration. III VIII Dc
impossible for you to get at anything dennite IN re-
gard to this point. You understand, OF course,
that do not pretend to speak Tor the Board.
What have said have said individually, ana not
In any of1icial capacity.
The reporter thanked Mr.. vanderbilt ana TOOK