The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-19
~l,n the uiinderafound systNM. The following Oh

jections weigh against this systcm:-
IUsf-Ihe road ccutt not ne built and equipped
lars per mile.
Scona-That IN its construction 10 would Sc
riously interfere with the present surface tradic
Tnid-That it would require expensive and in.
convenient alterations OF the sewerage and OF the
gas and water pipes OF the city.
fo,1th-rhat az many points 1t would be below
nigh water mark.
S.rfh-inat the patronage might be lessened by
the unwillingness OF many persons 10 travel IN
The depressed system also is not recon-
mended.
The elevated system is consi Tered the best ana
cheapest, aud the only plan which Is considered
ieasiOle and nkely 10 be profitable Is OF an IRON
over streets, the right oil way being free aud the
line being operated by light locomotives. 1t IL,
plsn TO DE applied anu carried ont alike in all parts
rhc city. really successful rapid transit road
must extend from me Battery = Harlem Ryer
Apply equally well 10 all parts OF so extended
hue. The roads should con Orm. not only 70 the
topography or the island. but also 10 the local re.
qulrcments in each part OF thc c'ty. At
certain points there may be tunnels, either
to secure practicable gradients or to avoid
shes nav 70 through the blocks in open cuttings
or on masonry viaduct, while IN the settled
beyond Harlem River they may even be surface
roads, ana remain so until advancing population
require tnem 10 DC Edtstu out VI Tue VGy VI tue
ordinary street tratnc.
In most instances, however, an elevated road
Will probably be employed.
LOCATiON or ROt-rES
The committee Is OF opinion mat the present
wants Ci the population can DC oest served ny TWO
rapid transit rOacs, one On the east and the other
on the west OF Central Park. The one on the east
she may De either on the line OF Third or Fourth
avenue II upon the latter, It should be
Improvement OF the Hariem Railroad and
under The control either Oh that company or OF q
co, pora tion holding contract with 1t 70 run Its
trains through the tunnel from Thirty-Ourth 10
Fol " second street ana over the tracks intended
for local business north OF Fory-secOnd street. 20
as TO avoid all transfer OF rapid transit passengers
at tnst point. the most feasible route for this
street thence through Lafayette place, Mulberry,
Marion. Centre and Nassau streets 10 the Battery.
On the west side a corresponding location would
occupy the line OF either Ninth or OF parts OF
Seventh and Eighth avenues. The lower PARTON
OF the route might pass over Greenwich avenue
and Washington square 70 the line OF Greene and
church streets, the latter TO DE followed 10 the
Battery.
ny WHOM SHALL THE ROADS BE CONSTRUCTED
Tne committee has assumed that the rapid
transit roads were TO be huut by private capital
and operated go as to make them profitable IN
vestnents. This can be done and IL the best way
20 promote close economy. But capital has thus
far refused embark Ia The enterprise and 1t has
been proposed that the city undertake the work.
Whether this would be within Its municipal
powers Ia n question iur legal counsel 10 deter.
may not hereafter build railroads within the r
llm,ts for public accommodation or even appraise
and conue inn existing tracks when Suca becomes
necessary 10 protect the interests OF the public.