New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-21
RAPID TRANSIT SUGGESTIONS.

REMARKS OF SIR EDWIN wATKIN, " p, on THE
LONDON UNDERGROUND RoADs-THE ACTION OF
THF COMMON COUNCIL
The Rapid Transit Commissioners yesterday
changed their usual programme by meeting at II A. m
hour before the usual time in order 70 listen 10 some
suggestions from Sir Edward Watkn, W. p President or
the London Underground and the London and Great
Eastern Railroads. This gentleman is now investigating
the affairs Of the Erie Railway behalf OF its English
bond and stockholders He is regarded authority
the subject OF rapid transit and appeared before the
Commits soners the invitation Of their consulting en-
gineer, Isaac Newton
lie answered q large number Of questions put 10 him
by the Commissioners and corrected several erroneous
impressions prevalent here concerning the underground
railways Of London He explained the construction or
those railroads. and described a considerable length the
difficulties encountered in building and running them
He said that 80 per of the on the London
underground roads travelled only short distances, and
only per cent OF them carried TO the end Of the
rous routes This fact regarded very important
because IL showed that in selecting plan Of rapid tran
att the convenience and facility Of those who
wish to ride for short distances only ought tn
be consulted The London Under ground Railroad Com
pany he said already had about sixteen miles OF road in
operation. and in few onths they would have twenty
miles Of completed road They negotiating for a
st:I further extension their and woud in time
burrow under the whole City OF London These roads
had proved 70 be greater convenience 10 the poorer
classes than to wealthy persons The average fare col
ected five cents, aud the rate per mile was reduced
by system OF communication 10 one penny Last year
these roads carried 7O0O0O00 passengers Heavy loco
motives rsed and 900 trains day. each having
carrying capacity for 1000 persons, were run over
item. The OF speed thirty miles per hour, or
twenty mes, including stoppages. The cost Vas
$1,000 600 per mile, OF which about f0urns was ile
Ia damage 10 real estate caused by cutting through
blocks OF buildings aud tnnnelng under houses ~ some
places the roads under graveyarts without disturb
Ing the graves and vaults above.
In reference the probable rejection ny the Board OF
Aldermen the Commissioners request for power 70
sele whatever route they should choose Commissioner
Mott said yesterday that IL wOud make difference
with The action II the Commission. The commissioners
woud select the following the PROVISIONS VI tine
law they understood them To-day Mr. Mott said ne
and probably Tie consulting engineers would personally
examine the ground between Randas Island and High
Bridge with "A 81 the location of route and some
time after s.y the Commissioners would 90 IN
body various quarters OF the city for the same
purpose. They had not yet been able to agree upon
route their choice would bee could Not be- lore
told. Mayor Wickhsm said yesterday that lie DID not
thai nf the Beard 0f Aldermen IL act
the request thr Commissioners would affect them III
prosecution u their work He had had NO feeling
abuut the matter.
Messrs j. h. 4 J. NJ. Cornell sent 10 the Commissioners
yesterday COMMUNICATION deny Ing thai they are in any
nsuner connected with persons or plans uinical 20
rapid transit and rtin that II Is their desire acting
IN good faith to build aud own frstclass RAPID transit
railway, o and 20 Broadway as pra'tcab'