The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-07
RAPID TRANSIT.

Four Tracks in Centre OF the Avenues
with Bridges ut the Crossings.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Having read with much interest the various plans
submitted by your correspondents for a means Of
''rapii transit" through the city of New York,
should like your indulgence while propose st!
another. Besides the enormous outlay for an iron
structure, the objections to elevated road are so
numerous as to render that plan almost imprac-
ticable. The objections to an underground road.
way, though different, are equally numerous and
road built on either plan would most likely fail
to attract passengers-the former account of its
actual or apparent danger, the other on account
OF its dscOmfOrts.
AS this Is an era OF compromises, propose a
compromise between the elevators and the sub
terraneans. And, first, let us suppose, we are to
build railroad and nothing else-leave out OF our
calculation all systems OF docking, wharfage, sew
thought OF in connection with this enterprise.
This road must have four tracks, down and
return track for through trains ditto for way
trains Nothing less Will iully meet the eXigency.
This VIII require twenty-eight feet OF the street.
Now let US select an avenue, say Fourth avenue
Is ieet, making fifty feet. and We have fifty leet
lett, TWENTY-FIVE ieet on each side, enough for
thoroughfare, though narrow. The pavements
will be narrow likewise, but we cannot be too lib
eral with pedestrians, and II any are disposed to
complain they should get in the cars and ride
cars now In USE with seats ranged along the sides
and about ten feet high above the track.
:, Now propose simply this dig trench through
the avenue twenty-eight feet wide and seven feet
deep and wall 1t up lay therein TOUR tracks, bridge
the cross Streets raising the bridges Jour feet
above the street level, and then raise the streets
to the level of the bridges which Will cause short
inclined planes. But If the planes should in prac-
tlce be fOund to interfere too much with the streets
let the tracks dip at the bridges two feet by COM
mencing half way between the crossings; then the
bridges need only be raised two feet. Two ieet
quent rise would not be noticed by passengers,
and would cause no perceptbe strain on rolling
that the cars may be partially above ground and
have the advantages OF surface road.
handsome light iron railing would, Of course,
and connect with its fellow OF the opposite side.
And this all, unless you must arrange for street
cars. In that case 1t will be necessary to bridge
in from one street crossing to another the whole
distance, but only about fourteen feet WIDE. one.
half the width OF the trench and enough for two
tracks. The cars could stop at the crossings as
well then as now, the only objection being the
great expense OF making the road. This would be
a reversal OF Mr.. Church's plan, whose sensible
suggestions first prompted this statement and, l
think, more IN accordance with the natural order
OF thlngs-vlZ., that the heaviest objects should
gravitate to the bottom.
Without going into details I might add that
where stations were required small spaces could
be excavated from the streets sufficient for wait
ing rooms, with platforms, staircases &C.. each in
charge Of a careful Waterman. The advantages OF
this plan are-First, a perfectly solid rOadbed,
walled in second, daylight ride, without smoke,
dust or Initiated air. third moderate cost In
short, road at once safe, comfortable, pleasant,
with fewer objections than any plan have yet
seen advocated. A. V. G.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb 4. 1874.
Opposition to an Elevated Cross Town
Road.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
AT a meeting of number of the residents Of the
upper part OF the city, held few evenings since,
to oppose the running of an elevated road across
the city, 1t was resolved that as large q remon-
STRANGE Of the people possible against such road
should be presented to the Legislature. The fol-
lowing is the remonstrance now being circulated
Respectfully, J. P. FITCH,
Chairman of Committee.
New YORK. Feb. G, 1874.
RExoysrRANcE TO LEGISLATURES AGAINST me ERECTION
OF CROSS TOWN ELEVATED RAILROAD.
The undersigned residents and property in the
city new York, having been informed that the Legis-
lature has been asked 10 grant authority extend
branch line q the Greenwich street and Ninth Avenue
the Grand Central depot its vicinity, beg leave
the grant OF such right by your honorable body and
for the following, among other, reasons =
sructed in Ninth OF this city, running through
a. p pH Wod be as sh
would deprecaie the value OF properly in the street
unsighy bemish and ugly Disagreement of city.
II would render surface carriage riding and driving
it, and it would ehectualy the construction OF
Z Il could contribute very little if Anything to rapid
transit between the northern and southern limits of the
rapid transit are urgently required.
B. It is not demanded by any EXPRESSION of public
To grant the PRIV ege OF building and operating such
wrong, without justincation iounded in
any I public enc necessity a"iyas.,n,. :, -
people OF this city desire that facilities rapid passen
se5 up ana ana e H may be they
srate against the grant by your honorable body of