New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-03
RAPID TRANSIT SUGGESTIONS.

IN neutrality-suspicious. READY TO BUILD THE
GILBERT ELEVATED RAILWAY IN ONE YEAR FOR
100000 A MILE.
To the Editor OF The Trtbune
SIR: VIII you permit an engineer OF some
years experience in railroad construction, whose desire
10 rapid transit" accomplished fact has made MN
close observer OF the various plans and legislative acts
for that purpose to state briefly OF the results OF
his nquriesi do with the aim OF aiding the public
mind much exercised upon the subject in arriving
1T practical conclusions and TO suggest some means by
which individual and public effort may be concentrated
upon some undertaking that is possible and feasible
There several necessary requisites for securing rapid
transit in this city, of which unattalnaDe by
any uncharered plan such have seen suggested
hence Of the already chartered roads must be
built II any.
l. charter authorizing the construction Of suitable
railway for the purpose s the first absolute require
ment. Under the amended Constitution now in force
no charter be obtained No company formed
under the General Railroad act could build and operate
such a railway az is required, because there are so
many conditions that must enter into the construction
OF peculiar a work that the General Railroad law does
not contemplate Messrs. Peckham and Crary before
the Committee Of the Board OF Aldermen the subject
OF rapid transit expressed the opinion that the amend
ment referred to virtually prohibited the obtaining OF
any charter the future. In that opinion several emil
lawyers Of the city II, therefore, imme-
date action to De hoped for the suffering public must
look for relief to some one Of the companies that now
possess living charter or these there only three
the Beach Pneumatic the New-IOrk Elevated and the
Gilbert Elevated Railroad Companies. The opinion ex
pressed by the Committee of the society OF Civil En-
gineers, in their report that underground railroad
will the wants OF the people OF this city, or
warrant the expenditure OF the money that 1t will cost
comedies with that Of all practical men who have exam
ned the subject, and also with that OF the public at
large. Choice, therefore, lies between the NeWfOrk Lie
waited and the Gilbert Elevated roads.
H. A route which shall accommodate both the east
and the sides of the city is the next most vital con
sideration.
In the future according 20 the amended Constitution
route be- selected or trains run upon any street
without first obtaining the consent OF the owners of
One-haf Of the property bounded the street. OF
hopeless undertaking until property owners can
thereby. The OF the Gilbert Elevated and the New
York Elevated railways IL subject 10 no such condition
| The first located after most careful examina-
by Gov. Dix Gen Gilmore, Gen. Arthur, Col IL
c. ste6bins ana shepherd knapp who were designated
| by the Legislature for that special purpose. II
the southern extremity Of the island, and
runs along the central and side OF the city
| ,urh streets as Church. West Broadway, south Fifth
parts Of SIXTH Eighth, and Nnthayes az far as
! Central Bridge better known, perhaps Mac0mb's
Dam Provision is made for 1t 70 run thence along the
bank Of Harlem River 70 Kings Bridge, as soon as
public necessities demand From Central Bridge il runs
south to Srcond-ave through which and other streets
passes down the east side OF the city to the place
| of beginning. The NewYork Elevated Road is on one
city the Constitution practically forbids its
down the east side across the island al
its upper end and 1t cannot dispute the sisnal advah
| tage which the Gilbert scheme has IN this regard
III. An elevated railway, which while II uiizes me
streets thereby saving the cost OF the right OF way S
be- constructed a. not in the least to interfere win ne
rights of propery-owners and tenants, nor interrupt
endanger travel nor Ia disturb the water ana Gas
mains in the streets, Is the next requirement.
Neiher the Gilbert nor The NewiYork road dlsturos
| travel The Gilbert Elevated Railroad encompasses
this by placing its supporting columns on the nne OF te
posts. and by suspendng the roadway over the cen
ter OF tle street ny means OF arms anu girlei7
BY this plan the street itself Is not subjected 10
tra columns: smallest possible amount OF sidewalk
Appropriated and the inhabitants along the route are
| not disturbed by the noise of passing trains
A roadway resting Immediately upon the supporting
columns like that ~ the Newly Elevated, must neces-
at any Others and consequently slight thud shock
felt passing them which seriously interieres
consequence 10 the Company IL materially increases the
Of operating the road on account OF the Increased
and the rolling stock and the amnat1On
the rails In the Gilbert plan this IL entirely obvlated
Having no supporting columns oeheah te G t
which allows the trains 10 pass over II evenly ana
smoothly II Il believed that the difference IN the cost O
operating the classes Of road arising from this fact
will far toward equalizing the cost OF structure
Of the Ere Railroad Company in its early history Origin
ally rgidty of roadDed deemed essential, and they
therefore began building their road upon ties laid on
columns sunk into the ground. II soon FOUND
that the very quality for the attainment Of which so
much had been paid the cause OF such injury Ia the
road and such destruction OF their rOngstOck as to re-
qure its entire abandonment
". fourth requisite Of rapid transit road Is una II
be- builtn reasonable time. ana at cost tnat VIII
render the enterprise remuneave to the Stockholders
inns - vital cohsh ration convince lc cl'uSts w
NcwIOrk that road be constructed meeting all the
requisite conditions herein stated anu yst not costing
than will afford reasonable return FOR the invest
lnent and the road-or at least ive miles OF Ian De
built within 10 year. The Committee OF Civil Engineers
devoted nnch attention 10 tnis s1nect anu AZ te
result of their Investigations, that baing their cacu
horse railroads. the receipts OF such a road would
warrant the expenditure OF 100000 per mile for its
construction and equipment. The plans and estimates
OF the cost OF the Gilbert Elevated road have been sub
mtted Ia and approved by one OF the most DISTINGUISHED
n Tho n "A
treatise - The Strength OF Beams, Columns, and
Arches" and engineer OF the London Underground
ON the strength Of his approval responsible contractor
proposition offering 10 build the road according
Companys specifications in such manner az to secure
all the requirements OF space and aiety for the sum OF
$50 900 per mile for 100000 mile IN this country
'ument OF the conditions OF the contract within one
year trum the date OF signature, the contractor
offers give ample bonds, with approved Sc
curity. This offer, based upon estimates other
than those made by the Companys engineers,
IL sufficient answer TO those who, opposed
to rapid transit peslstenty MAINTAIN nat te cost
II the London Underground, punt at cost OF nearly
$1,000 900 or S2Oo0'OoO per mile, WIN PASSENGER
traffic OF only i4OO0OO year pays ~ per cent what
IL 10 prevent railway IN Ncwfork CITY, costing less
having to meet still greater demands for travel than the
LONDON Underground in consequence or the great length
OF NewYork Island. and the Lack OF other means OF
transit with which London Is provided from paying ten
times more than II does
V. Reasonable Of fare must be fixed another
Gilbert road forbids the e1action OF more than 10
cents for the first four miles, and requires the
Company for three hours every morning and three
hours every evening 10 run special trains for the accom-
mediation abOrers artisans and others at half the Ord
nary fare. Surely can expect 10 enjoy rapid
transit a reasonable rates than these.
VI The last and by means the least requisite for
successful rapid transit Is the capital necessary 70 build
the road IL seems To be prevalent impression tha no
road be built without extIaneOus aid, supple
menng the capital and thus virtually reducing the nrst
cost Of the road The liberal and patriotic gentlemen
who have undertaken by their own subscriptions and
by their personal influence 10 raise sum OF money To
be offered a. a bonus company by them selected,
who will build the road, appear 10 be acting on this
hypothesis. I think, however, that the end
be attained by more expeditions, satisfac-
tory, and economical way than this II the
Gilbert or any other company answer the de