The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-11
RAPID TRANSIT.

CANVASS or THE OPINIONS OF PROPERTY
OWNERS AND LEssEEs ALONG THE THIRD
AyENUE-sHALL PRIVATE INTERESTS BE SAC
RIFICED TO THOSE OF THE PUBLIC?
Steps have been taken by the HERALD to examine
into the state Of feeling the property owners and
residents along Third avenue during the past week.
The thoroughly canvassed by reporters of
this Journal in order to ascertain how large proper
ton Of them favor Of rapid transit and,
especially, Of rapid transit their own avenue. IL
is well enough to like rapid transit ION general prn-
ciples, but when It to favor its passing by
your FIRST story window with much rattllng and whis
ting the case is very different one and its most en-
thusiastc advocate is sometimes apt to give it the
cold shoulder. Nobody not even the most arrant
enemy OF rapid transit however venturcd to assert
that the people at large oppose it, but what has been
frequently reiterated that the property along
the route OF any elevated underground railway will
their faces against being detrimental TO their
property business Was this true with regard 10
Third ayenuer That was the question TO be solved.
THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
From the information gathered by the HERALD last
week there is the slightest doubt that the vast
majority Of the property owners oppose rapid transit
on their own II some had entertained any
doubts as TO their interest in this regard they
have been removed by the persuasive arguments Of the
IL
preceded the reporters every dwelling and in every
shop. When approached by the latter many de-
clared Immediately, "oh l have already talked
with ono OF your men and signed the protest, Z"
thus installing the HERALps representatives for the
emissaries of Messrs Hart and Phillips. appeared
upon investigation that many property owners who
were first inclined to sink their own interests in
those Of the city at large unwilling to sign this
protest. but talked over by arguments Of various
sorts which can be readily imagined than ac-
curately described. II a remarkable fact how
ever that scarcely any OF these property owners
objected to rapid transit on any grounds but those
concerning their own petty interests. The majority
Of the opponents OF rapid transit say they would
ike an elevated railroad well enough Second
or Fourth or any other but Third. This
was frank confession that they did not how
much the public interests suffered long their
own fancied advantages not interfered with.
1t is true there few property
owners who said they were opposed to rapid tran
sit altogether but they were men who had great
deal Of property down town and thought ITS value
would diminish by the northward growth of the city
ihese were very rev, however most OF tne prop,
erty owners limiting their objection simply to Third
avenue.
THE MINORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS
who favored an elevated road Third avenue were
of greater intelligence and broader views than
those composing the maority-mcn who recognized the
vital necessity of rapid transit and ongheaded
enough that the deterioration OF property il II
took place at ALL would only be transitory, and
would be fully and quickly neutraZed by the rapid
growth OF the population and the greater bust
prosperity OF the city The further up
town the HERALDs canyassers proceeded the
evident II became that property owners Of the up
per portion Of Third much less opposed TO
an elevated y2ad on Third avenue than those in the
~. i 90 ana in Upper Yorkvile and Harlem there
was a decided majority in favor Of it, The property
owners of the Harlem portion OF Third avenue believe
that their real would be enhanced in value by the
immediate growth of the population.
! LEssEEs TENANTS
expressed opinions very different from those OF the
property owners The great majority in favor of
an elevated road IN Third Some of course,
had their pet plans and others said they would like
road in the OF the street. but not running along
the curbs. few were completely Indifferent, saying
they did not what done but these were ex-
captions Most OF the essees of shops particularly
in Harlem, expect great increase Of business
although there a few who afraid that
their VIII prefer ride to the large stores
down town IL they could DO quickly. While there is
doubt that the Third Avenue Company can succeed
in getting up remonstrance OF property owners
against the proposed elevated road in Third
there proof whatever that the sentiments Of the
population at large have changed in any peroepbls
degree The body OF the people still desire moth
ing ardenty the speedy completion of the Third
Avenue Elevated Road and the ncalculable blessings
which 1t would confer upon them should certainly out
weigh the loss which this proprietor Of bakery that
Of lager beer saloon might sustain. In the end there
Is no doubt that the property owners will bless such
road when II with other rapid transit roads, will bring
increase OF population and prosperity of business
well as o decrease of taxes.