The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-23

| The West Side Association have evidently
entered into the consideration of our ways
means and projects for rapid transit, into the
city from the north end and out of the city
from the south cad, with IN eye to business
AT the meeting of this association the other
evening Mr.. W. r. Martin, in opening the
proceedings said, substantially, that the me-
cessity of rapid transit is manifest; that it is
appreciated and demanded on all sides; that
in every direction we find some new reason for
it that nobody is opposed to it, that every
body wants it bat that first, money is re-
quired to build the road; next that the road
must pay in order to secure the money to build
it; that capital demands the best route and o
plan Of construction that will not cost too
much, and that the material points to be con-
sidered, therefore, are the best rou@ and the
best plan in reference to cheapness and gon-
eral utility.
The chairman of the West Side Association
then boldly takes the ground that the best
route for the rapid transit, desired by the great
body of our city population, is the route of
Broadway to some point up town, and thence
the route of Third or Fourth avenue for
the east side Of the city and of Eighth ave-
nue. for the west side. On Broadway MIR.
Martin thinks an underground road would be
the best plan, and that on the avenues afore-
said the Gilbert or some other elevated road
would answer. The Central Underground
road, we are informed, has been dropped, be-
cause it was not an attractive route to capital
lists In short, from the proceedings of this
west side meeting representing twenty mil
lions in real estate, we infer that its ultimatum
is an underground railroad on Broadway, say
to Union square, and thence an east side ele-
waited road on Fourth avenue to Harlem; next
the continuation of the Broadway Under
ground road to the junction with Eighth ave-
nue. at Central Park, and thence o west side
elevated road along that avenue to High
Bridge.
But other plans have been and are proposed
! that are worthy Of consideration-such as the
plan for single elevated track upon which
the trains will go continually round the circle
of the city. This plan has at least the recon-
| mendation of cheapness in its favor; but it
| does not meet the demand There is another
waited road on each side Of the city-which
| does meet the demands of each side in both
| directions; but then the centre is neglected.
Another plan is that of ON elevated road of
four tracks right through the centre of the
island, from end to end. In support Of each
of these schemes the underground or over
ground steam lines of London, or the subur-
hny, ha hov haov rafa
to as practical successes in favor of this or that
project or the other. Doubtless any one of
these projects, if carried through, would be
great relief to the city; but ''while the grass
grows the horse starves." While we are wait
ing for this relief our increasing difficulties in
getting down to business from up town in the
morning and in getting home again in the
evening are making it more and more conven-
lent for business men to establish their homes
on Long Island, on Staten Island, in Jersey,
in Westchester or in Connecticut. At the
same time and on this point the facts and
statistics of the marvellous increase in the
value Of real estate in half dozen counties
over in Jersey during the last seven years are
very instructive. At the same time, we say, the
evil effects of our heavy taxatons on bonds
and mortgages are driving capital by hundreds
| of millions from this island.
The. relief, therefore, in rapid transit de-
manded for the city is immediate relief as well
as permanent relief, and the more urgent
necessity is immediate relief We agree, with
MIR. Darling that we must have security for
life and property in this city; that we can and
must attract capital here and build up the
greatest metropolis in the world; that for this
purpose we want rapid transit and must have
it, no matter how we get it; that if private
capital cannot be procured to build the steam
lines required to this end the city should build
them. That is most important point in this
NATTER it should build them. Mr.. Darling
further suggests that agitation is the one thing
that will bring us rapid transit, and that meet
ings of the citizens should be held regularly to
bring about the desired results.
Agitation, however, in spasmodic meetings
of East Side and West Side Associations, each
pulling, like the horses of balky team, in o
different direction, will accomplish nothing
We have had a pretty active agitation on this
subject for several years, and what has it &C
complished? Nothing. What is the prospect
at this time for bill OF bills at Albany that
will give the facilities needed for rapid
transit within less than ten years? 1t is any
thing but encouraging. What is the first
essential towards Legislative action at Albany
in behalf of rapid transit which, within
five, three or two years, or even within one
year, will secure it The unity of the prop
rty-holders and business men Of the city,
east side, west side and centre in the recon-
mendation of some common plan of relief,
combining, if you please, immediate and per-
manent measures. Immediate relief may re-