The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-23
RAPID TRANSIT.
Another Plan for - Railroad.
NEW YORK, Jan. Il, 1877

ana the number OF companies annually chartered
we are az far obtaining rapid transit as at the
outset The prerequisite 10 success rs TO obtain
feasible plan. This can be got as easily before
charter Is obtained as Afterwards, ana no charter
.noad be granted unless based upon definite
Dian that Will commend Itself. We should discard
al the projects that have been subjected to the
test and lound wanting. The whole series OF
underground roads and their coordinate projects
es deem cuts and plans lor purchasing and passing
through blocks should, for the present at
Yeast be lald aside; the cost Is too for
up,oape, OF the disturbance to the Or
gan,xaton OF the city too serious. In
the same category place all suspension plans. The
,dea of constructing series Of suspension bridges
the whole length OF the island over o thronged
throughfare, when the necessity does not exist is
simpiy absurd. sucn structures are always hazard
Gus. Although they have the requisite strength
while all the parts hold together and harmonic,
Net the slightest derangement occur the whole
becomes jeopardlzed. But the great cost of
tion and expense Of maintaining TINS class OF COM
picated structures Is q SUFFICIENT safeguard and
preventive.
The plan designated by the following extracts
nom pamphlet publlshed last winter Is here sub
Ditted. The description may not he clearly under
stood without the diagrams, but any one so dis
posed can receive or inspect the pamphlet at my
PLANS FoR MID-AvENuB ELEVATED AND SURFACE
FsrAs in plan A. apart space. say eighteen feet
wide, along the centre avenue appropriated
Erect thereon elevated vaauct to be sustained
columns Anchored in stone on foundations sunk below
tne influence ros The two tiers to be protected
their base by continuous OF cut stone SUIT
neenty elevated and Of such form as to snard AGAINST
81 the centre each block opening wide enough tor
ns 9 ssIses AIMEE @ w e efSs
ssde OF the avenue TO the other.
s@es transit rans be ~ p pos ere
below, in the between the two and the
tracks tor the horse cars and eonne them to these limit.
The surface pace of the avenue could be arranged and
Whole width OF the avenue 100
Deduct ID feet each Tor the two SIDE walks ~
U.s.,, III. e.0,,., ,D,.s allotted to ,se railroad.
There world then remain for street purposes width
Of nfty eetviz., twenty i've feet each side OF the
sneunbranee the cars Under such distriSu.
or me discharge The c
Pc Ine
with the advantage that the space viii be specially
e eSr sa ssy w NOT M nsP Nth me
Keep their rails and ,oopath in better order can make
H,s covered arch overhead under the vaduct -
The only surface space that the yadnct wond
columns not to exceed one foot width each and
me structure can De bniit IN an artistic and substantial
appearance, and tas,efuily painted viii be orna-
T % ns Ssw sa.
and Sy deafsnns between under the ties
and by unng The continuous rail trains can be run in
engines at such an elevation would have more effect
wo9d es at distance S R o
annoyance citizens detrment TO property than on
al ns pabc have efsf night sS
20 promote and expedite the transit them by i'm
fAe iek at
Ihe columns sustaining the structure be multiplied
i az the stone one base Will prevent all collision
thorough system OF braces furnishing direct
ports e the suIerstraeSre The SUSTAINING CAPACITY
tudna Orders can be 50 ad listed that
hni to the degree OF strength that be acquired.
In devlsing the above nave studied to combine
the elements OF simplicity, duraoiilty strength,
existing conditions OF the city, ha wing especially
In view economy SO That the project can commend
Itself 10 capitalists. scarce grading Will DE
necessary, as the variation OF surface on most OF
the avenues can be sufficiently neutralzed 10y
shortening or iengthening the sustaining columns.
The Greenwich street elevated partial
success, because It is directly, though made
Had 1t been thoroughly supported on a broad base
with firm superstructure and placed IN mid
problem successfully. Ny plan is simply ply
the application OF the rules ratified
practical es1 experience s.t TO- the case u
have tested TINS KIND OF structure by running all
their trains over them for miles IN length and
AND supported Only by wooden columns. II my
plan Is detective tie defects may be remeded or
thus discussion may eiicit some other altogether
preferable. The important point. however, is to
decide upon he best plan that can be devised ap-
plicable to the case; then select the route and
follow up the matter with discreet put determined
energy. The most available route would be 10
~ m I wa the b tracks OF the
Fourth avenue and Thirty-second street, thence
down Fourth avenue, the Bowey and chatham
~ al nal Mo hn0o
scending grade from the mouth OF the tunnel,
which enables The ascent to the elevated
Thirtieth street is already Closed there
would be no interruption to any street Cross
be main tanned for more than three-fourths OF the
entire length OF the viaduct, TO point chat
ham square: From that point TO the City Han
PARK the grades Will be Irregular and the plan
mnst be varied. for which provision been made,
bur 1t H unwse in this article to go much into
detail The elevated yiadnct thus connected with
two OF the Harlem Railroad tracks, TO be laid
on the WORK now in preparation, Will furnish an
uninterrupted line for steam power, from the City
Han to Harlem River, and thence can connect with
~ the roads tributary to the city. The Harlem
Company controls this route. Tney should either
construct the proposed elevated railway or make
An equitable arrangement with those who will |
thnk the city bore the whole expense OF excavatng
The tunnel at Thlrty-secOnd street, and now paws
hall the cost OF excavating ana preparing The road
beo for four tracks TO Harlem. two OF winch were
named IN the charter as especially designed for
local travel
The Third avenue, with the same terminus, pre-.
pents the next most available route Tnis also ia
under the control OF a formidable company. Thew
however, manifest a disposition TO take hold of the
SUBJECT OF rapid transit along their route IN con.
necuOn with their surface road. Last winter |
drew up bill and, with the names OF a Jew friends
rs 1ncorporators, applied for a charter but ne
came satisfied that the sanction and cooperation
or the Third Avenue Company was indispensaDle
Accordingly, after a somewhat prolonged negotia-
tAOu, towards the close OF the session OF the Legs
1ature arranged with them to change the title OF
my bll TO that OF the Third Avenue and to sub
etltute the names OF their directors for those
OF my friends, thus retaining very limited
interest," In this shape the bill passed
the House, but by some outside influence was ned
back IN the committee OF the Senate TIL too late TO
call IL up. II the company are really in earnest
and Will proceed at once to construct the WORK on
this any other specified plan acceptable 10 the
citizens they should receive every possible aid from
the pubIic not only in obtaining charter, but In
accomplishing the WORK. 1t is lair that they should
receive the preference, but If they decline hes
tate they should not be permitted TO stand in the
way as this avenue is one OF the most important