New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-18
RAPID TRANSIT.
VIEWS OF Mr. 2. S. DURPEE-DETAu.s OF HIS PLAN
FOR SECURING CHEAP AND QUICK TRANSPoRTA-

VIEWS OF MI. z. S. DURPEE-DETAuS OF HIS PLAN
FOR SECURING CHEAP AND QUICK TRANSPoRTA-
TON.
Mr.. z. s. Durfee. the Secretary of the Pneu-
matte Steel Association has addressed letter TO the
Hon. H. G. Eastman giving, at the latters request, his
views on the question of rapid transit ana proposing
a new plan for city railroad. Mr. Dnrfee considers
that an underground line or one built on direct line
through the blocks would be too costly and that an
elevated road over the middle OF the would be
omen TO the same objection while it would be unsightly
and would afford covered way for foot passengers
His own plan contempates double track at both sides
of the street. on level with the second story OF the
houses having inside pathway four feet wide and
four feet distant from the fronts OF the houses
along the line. This railroad is to rest on
pairs of iron columns placed 20 feet apart so as
IN allow carts wagons &c, access to the sidewalk
hcneath The track is TO be made of strong steel
crders resting upon of the same material
The route proposed s circutOus. being from the CITY
Hall along the Bowery and Thlrdave to Oae-hundred
and.twenty fourth-st., returning thence by way OF
Elghth-aye and Hudson-st. to the starting point
single at each side OF the street would connect
with the Battery Mr. Durce proposes to lave express
and way trains run all the way on separate tracks,
that passengers could go stations the fast trains
aud then complete their journey on slower Ones which
would stop shorter distances Access to the trains
and the elevatedI sidewalk would be had by means OF
spra at each block stations being placed al
convenient distances.
The advantages claimed for this plan arc very great
As the raj could according TO rough estimate be
built for sI5OO0OO0 possibly sI20OoOOo the fares
might be as moderate five cents 10 Fifty ninth-st
seven cents TO Onehun tr3dthS ST. ana ten cents LOT
longer distances. The overcoming or the cars IN
stormy weather-alwavs source OF annoyance anu
delay-wOuld he Obviated by tho covered pathway
which would afford shelter from ram aud SHOW as wen
as from The The influence of the ilne on the value
of household property would be. 1t Is claimed on the
w
ts route il would render the houses very desirable for
business and manufacturing purposes. thus largely en-
BANGING their value, while at the same time
there would he less inducement TO ESTABLISH
stores and factories in sections which u Is al
yisable 10 reserve for private residences. The
appearance the streets would also In time DC I'M
proyed for the new line would promote uniformity IN
the new structures which must eventually replace the
present The protector comedies that
NAV find cause of complaint at the light being prtlaly
cut of but as the second story would be rendered or
greater value and the trade of the locality would DC
greatly increased the apparent loss would be more than
The important question "Wi it payi" Is discussed 10y
Mr. Duriee who estimates that 900 passengers
were carried up and down the island last year. ~ Is
nrobabe that $1,000 900 would travel by the proposed
line and that the number would rapidly increase. An
average fare of six cents per passenger would on TINS
basis Yield OO0 and allowing 50 per cent Tor WORK
ing EXPENSES there would remain S5OOO equal 10 10
pr cent on the highest estimated the cost OF the
road This line would suffer interruption from snow
or ice and would it Is claimed, prove Of nestaDe al
vantage TO the people OF New. York.