The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-30
RAPID TRANSIT.
Another Proposal for Elevated
Road-TwO Roads ON tho East and
Two on the West Side OF the Island.

Road-TwO Roads ON tho East and
Two ON the West Side OF the Island.
10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The great interest you take ON all subjects con-
neoted with the public veal is our apology for
waiting on you with some remarks on subject
which at present engrosses more than anything
else the attention of the public-namely, ''rapid
transit" Tho undersigned have, after months OF
careful ana unremittlng labor, maturea plan free
from the objections which crop out IN all the
projects hitherto presented, and combining In its
several features the great requisites OF speed,
safety, comfort and economy. Before going into
The details necessary for the full under
standing OF our plan, we shall briefly ad-
vert TO the difficulties and objections which pre-
Sent themselves In connection with the construction
Dl the several modes of transit, whether proposed
as under the underground or elevated plans. II
On the underground plan we find the enormous
cost, the difficulties arising from obstruction to
traffic while constructing, alteration OF sewers,
gas and water pipes, &C, &C., combined with the
length OF time required TO construct any railway
that would meet the requirements of the city, all
show that some plan requiring much shorter
time to complete must at present take the place Of
any such road.
Constructed on the elevated plan, the road is
open to The objection of occupying too much space
In either the avenue street.; its pillars or sup
ports will, no matter how carefully designed in de-
tail, always have an unsigntly appearance when
on" n"eq handsome horo oS Danger viii
by fright to spirited horses, should the
road be open, while on the otner hand, II covered
the obstruction to the light would be source OF
perpetual annoyance to the occupants OF the
houses on either side and would lead TO endless 1T
ieation. The occupation the streets during course
OF construction, While preparing the foundations,
DC, &c, ii extended for any period would be an
project merely adding that It's principal and most
esaective poin's are secured ny valuable patents.
road-say two on the east and TWO on the west
side OF the island, commencing az points at or near
the Battery, in the most favorable POSITIONS so as
to Interfere little as possible with valuable
property, &c, &c; these roads to run through to
Harlem River and Spuy zen Duyvil Creek, in con-
necton with the lines OF railroad to be constructed
tnrough Westminster county; The roads WIN be
parallel with the lines OF avenue. The lower or
uptown track Will be thirty ieet above the level OF
feet higher. The superstructure is cast with semi.
steel frames and spandrels of corrugated iron,
tions. forming, with the cast iron columns ana
foundations similarly ointed, one unbroken struc-
ture, extending from terminus to terminus with
out boltnut or screw. The engines used for mo-
tive power will be without boilers, the steam gen.
Grated without coal or any fuel producing dust or
stoker, and can be stopped in running length
OF SIX feet. The road Will be covered by
light, handsome, corrugated iron roof, protecting
it from snow storms, &c, and Will have depots
.tabisned every five blocks. The lower track OF
the railroad will be the uptown road and the upper
the down town. AS each train of cars with its
motive power arrives at the terminus they are
elevated or lowered, as the case calls for, from
track to the other; and as all cars running
track proceed the same way all risk OF collision Is
prevented. In constructing the road little or no
occupy very little time to place each section in Its
place, the material having been prepared else
where, so that all trouble from this source 10 obvi
ated. The tracks will be narrow gauge, and ten
feet on the Two upper floors OF each building will
be ample lor It's requirements, leaving the other
yee o e AND n MOST
chambers As the road will be built on pillars,
rear walls Of the houses 1t will be perfectly inde-
pendent OF them This, in connection with the con-
vlousiy referred toy, will preclude any possibility
OF jar or vibration, and as we propose to lay the
rails in India rubber beds on longitudinal sleepers
little or no noise will attend the passage OF the
trains. All objection from noise being removed,
the houses from which the portion we require Is
detached will in the desirable streets be easily
rented to parties to whom location, not space is an
object, and again In the business streets to parties
for stores &C., to whom the space we require is of
little or no moment. The above brief synopsis
embraces the most salient and prominent features
OF our plan. In conclusion we would respect
caly interested in rapid transit be held TO maine
committee, who, assOclaung to themselves eX-
perts from our best professional engineers, would
he empowered TO receive plans for one or more
railroads. and decide without favor or undue pref
erence on the merits OF the same. the best plan to
be selected adopted and receive the combined
support OF the committee. II this is carried out in
its true spirit no one can complain. Let the best
man win. Under such circumstances we gladly
would enter the lists, ieeing little doubt OF the
result. Meantime we invite all interested to come
ana Judge for themselves. We shall willingly eX-
the hours OF one and two O'Clock p. NJ. any day
until further notice. Thanking you Tor the cOur-
tesy you have extended in granting us the use of
Jour columns, we are yours respectfully,
j. M. MERIlICK, Civil Engineer.