The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-01
RAPID TRAN SIT.
Of Committee Of the Twelfth Ward
Taxpayers with the President of the Gilbert
Elevated Railway Prospects and Actual
Progress Of the Project-The First
Three Miles Of Track To Be
Completed by October.

Tie 'Twelfth ward Citizens and Tax Payers AS
ISOLATION" appointed committee OF one to visit
Mr. Foster, the President OF the Gilbert Elevated
Railway, and inquire what the present cOndi-
ton Of the colbert Elevated Railway Company"
whether any progress had been made in the con-
struction Of the railway and II SO, what9 and In
general terms If we may have reasonable hope
that this enterprise will AFFORD us the relief so
much needed ana give us speedily means Of
rapid transit through the cityY
Receiving assurances that any questions might
ask would be answered cheerfnlly l propounded
the following Undergraduates and received the fol-
lowing replies: =
"when was your bill signed by the Governors"
'On the nth OF June last.''
"Whe were the commissioners appointed to
locate the route:'
John a. Dix, Henry G. stebbins, Shepherd
Knapp, General q. A. Gilmore and General Chester
A. Arthur"
"Have they performed their duties in the matter9
If SO, what is the route assigned TO your
THE ROUTE OF THE RAILWAY.
"They have performed the duties required OF
them under the law, ana have laid down route
which in their Judgment, TO the language Of the
charter, is convenient and necessary to the project.
general description OF the route, without detail
Kings Bridge it follows the south shore OF Harlem
River TO its intersection with Eighth avenue;
theuCe down the Eighth, Ninth and Sixth avenues
to Fourth street; thence down South Fifth avenue,
West Broadway to Bowling Green; thence, through
Beaver. Pearl street. New Bowery, to Division
street, thence, to DIVISION Allen street, first and
Second avenues, TO Harlem River; thence along
Harlem River TO intersect with the Eighth ave.
nue. BY this means belt line is established,
which affords the best accommodation to the public
travel. The whole line being double track
it is intended TO run trains in opposite
down train one side becoming the up
train ON the other, thus enabling a passenger
expenditure Of time and trouble. For instance, a
resident OF Harlem desiring to reach the foot OF
West Forty-second street would take the up train
THE FAIR JUDGMENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
'Is the route, in your estimation, the best which
could have been selected Tor the interest OF the
road and for public convenience ~
"The route is, on the whole, good one, and
have no reason TO impugn the judgment OF tue
stricted by the terms of the charter, or might
otherwise, perhaps, have better served the public
STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS BUILDING THE ROAD.
"The route having been established, what steps
have YOU taken towards building the road ?"
''Two-thirds of the stock has been subscribed.
Five million dollars of the bonds have been ne
gotiated, and the preliminary steps for construc-
WORK ALREADY COMMENCED
''when do you propose to commence the con-
ssThe work OF construction has already COM
menced. The structure being almost altogether
OF wrought iron It must necessarily be made ready
for erection at the establishments of the contract
ors and when it is brought upon the ground IL Is
only required to raise II TO s place upon the posts
required to be in their places. These are now in
process of manufacture for portion OF the line,
and as as the weather viii permit the foun-
datlons will be laid"
.IIow long time have you given contractors to
complete the first 1--WE miles and hall, and what
guarantee have you that they VIII complete III ac-
cording to contractT
TIE FIRST THREE MILES TO BE COMPLETED BY oc-
TOBER.
eve have taken the ordinary precaution OF bust
ness men to have the work done according TO con
tract, both as to quality and time. we expect to
1ilnu Nv n Hl
by the LIST OF October and n mile per month there
after until the whole work is competed.n
''Have you given this five and half miles to one
.srhe contract il made with one concern which
has the supervision Of the construction OF the
whole; but other establishments are employed IN
carrying out the work"
apo you propose to postpone the construction OF
the balance until the five and a half miles are M
ished ~
THE LINE CONTRACTED FOR TO HARLEM RIVER.
mo; we have already made conditional con-
tract for about five additional miles, to complete
the line to Harlem River"
''This ten miles, which you proposeto construct
on the Eighth avenue through the Twelfth ward
accommodates very well the west side, but what
do you propose to do with the east side ~
"a was about to say that If negotiations now
going on are successful, we shall be able to build
both sides simultaneously. The best Interests
of the road require that circuit should be COM
pleted and we shall bend energies to effect it
THE BATES OF FARE.
''What are your rates OF fare to be ~
sThe fare is fixed 10y the charter, not to exceed ten
cents ler any distance less than lour miles I'D two
cents per mile for any greater distance; OUT rom
five to eight O'Clock in the morning and from hve TO
eight in the evening cars and trains snail De run
rates not TO exceed one-half the above. The mat
ter of fares will regulate itself. When there are,
as is the case here, several competing lines OF
travel. IL will pc necessary 20 fix the fare AT the
lowest paying rate In order to secure patronage"
MUNICIPAL ROAD.
s'Wbat has been the effect on your enterprise Of
the agitation OF the subject OF the building read
cts effect has been only to delay for short time
negotiations and TO deprecate the value OF our
bOnds.o -
far served to impede the progress Of your actual
WORK :" wo so,,o suos sror, wou,d no made
and the source from which IL would emanate. We
knew, too, that many would be led to support IL
thoughtessly who were really in favor OF rapid
transit. We never had any fear, however, OF any
serious injury enterprise, and have not been
disappointed. The proposition to have the city
build a road and manage 1t has 80 many and
serious objections that IL IL not worthy OF con-
sideration by an intelligent community. IL has nc
| parallel in any other OF our public works. the
| Central Park and Croton Aqueduct are cited as
! evidence OF the success promised for this. IL re-
qulres care skill, experience and responsibility III
the exercise OF the duties OF each and every officer
| and employe OF q railway to secure safety to IT.
! patrons Is IL reasonable to expect these qaali1
| cations under city management Every change
| in the city government would change the admins
ration and political influence would be sure to bt
the governing power. The result may easily b'
| imagined"
THE PROJECTORS or RAPID TRANSIT
| "Tf have satisfactorily answered your inqui
res,r continued Mr.. Foster, permit me TO add
that the projectors and promoters Of this enter
prise are citizens who are individually interested
| In the Advancement and prosperity Of our CITY
aud each and every one OF them has been from tn
beginning and Is now, willing TO give place 10 an
| other who can more successfully promote the de
| sired end. They have devoted their time an
money TO the success Of what they believed 20 D
| the most feasible project for the desideratum {
| rapid transit. II they have erred IL is an error
Judgment, and, when the enterprise is carried
successful operation the community will be unde
| no less obligation to them II they have not accom-
plshed tho very best thing possible to be devise
| for the end soupht.n ~ am exceedingly obliged
| you for the Information you have so frankly give
me. And assure you that our association wi
take new courage; for IL does really appear thi
the time IL not far distant when the people II
siding IN the Twelfth ward Will realise the advaI
| tages OF rapid transit.r