The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-03
RAPID TRANSIT.
The Commissioners Are Sworn
In by the Mayor
Views Of Commissioner Seligman--He Thinks
The Capital Can Seen Be Raised.

At haltpsst two O'Clock yesterday afternoon the
Rapid Transit Commissioners met for the first
time at the Mayors once, in the City Hall. All
the Commissioners were present. with the excep.
tlon OF Mr. Delamater who Is out OF town, and
win probably not return until next week The
Mayor mace the gentlemen, some OF whom
were strangers 10 each other, acquainted,
ana they withdrew TO MS private room
for brief consultation. They then took
and formally subscribed TO the oath OF
once, and 1t was agreed that tneY should
meet again on Tuesday morning, at hali-psss
eleven O'Clock, at the Mayors once, for qualifying
In $25 900 each. The organization OF the Commits
sion will follow as soon as practicable as all he
commissioners are in lavor Of the most speedy
and decisive action. They have two months
within which TO decide upon the line OF route the
Tune allowed for this purpose expiring on Septem-
Der !, but 1t Is probable that they will be able TO
discharge that preliminary duty at earlier
date. The subscription books they must open by
or before November /.
'Do LITTLE AT A TrMFri
The present drift OF current opinion on the SUB
ject OF rapid transit may be epitomized In the
words, "Do little az q time" the opinion is gen
orally expressed That the Commissioners viii 40
well II they do not at first attempt TO
lay out routes FOR the full accommoda-
themselves with ono line to Forty-second or
Flfteth street ON the east side, which Is the one
most urgently demanded. The problem OF rapid
transit Will be half solved on the west size this
fail by the completion or the Greenwich Street
Elevated Road to Flftynnth street, and II an east
side road Is built up TO Fory-second or Ffieth
well satisfied. 1t IL claimed by the abest advo-
Gates Of rapid transit that the projects planned
hitherto had failed merely because they we're
capital. "Let MS have an east size road to Forty
second street." these people say, "and we shall
want to raise capital enough TO build a road
throughout the length OF the city you may ind it
difficult and not even a small road may be built
alter all. Build small road first-you can easily
get the money for that-and then you can go on
VIEWS or Mr. JOSEPH SELIGNAN
Mr.. Joseph Sellgman, the German member OF
the Commission, shares the preference OF bis col
logical formation OF the island would make the
building Of an undergo ound railway too slow, diff
fcult and expensive. This was one OF the reasons
why the City Central Underground Railway was
failure. Prominent engineers rom London, VINO
examined the ground above Fourteenth street
said tnat IL was far too rocky for the building OF
such road. Mr.; selIgman IN expressing this
Inc every plan impartally and vote Ior that which
seemed the best. He declared himself IN favor
OF running cheap trains for WorkiDgmen IN the
morning ana evening" such rs are run by tue
underground railway In London. He thought the
capital would soon De forthcoming, and hoped that
German capitalists would DO their best 10 promote
the enterprise and subscribe Literally toward the
building or good rapid transit road. Mr.. Seig
man seems TO be determined 70 oppose every
delay IN the work OF tue Commission, which feel
ing IS shared by the other members OF that BODY.
VIEWS or RAPID TRANSIT MEN.
IL ts remarkable compliment 20 the Mayors
tact IN selecting the present Commissioners that
The representatives oil the various rapId transit
associations literally vie with one another IN
euogizing his appointments: Mr.. .. II. Roosevelt
a director OF the New York Rapid Transit Associa-
lion, said yesterday that he could not havo
selected better men II he had been The
felt saDguine that somethiug would be zone now
thatthe matter ~as in sucn excellent hands, and
that they. would raise the requisite capital, pro-
vided oGts they did not nit upon an underground
plan tie ana the President OF the Association, Mr.
sherwood, had perfect conndence Ia the aolty Of
lmparually and wisely The men were all or
character to command the respect and confidence
OTHER EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION
A stin more remarkable compliments 70 the
Mayors sagacity is the TACT that even Mr. Henry
HarL tue principal stockDolder OF the
Telrd Avenue Railway, could not deny
the writer Who met him in Broadway
expressed the hope that he wOuld also put
million or two INTO the FIRST RAPID Transit road
but ne replied, con, well, l nave a large family TO
support ana am connected with good many
concerns that don't psy:p Mr.. scott, Secretary
Mayor Wckham could not have appointed better
men than he did, and especially eulogized MT
Brown as one likely TO render great assistance TO
the cause. 10 inns connection 1t Is due to Mr.
Brown 10 say tnat the statement In Yesterdays
HERALD TO the enect that ne nad laled in the war
was erroneous, and that, on the contrary, ne PAID
every dollar OF his Obligations
NO ENGINEERS OK LAWYERS WANTED.
The Mayors exclusion Of engineers aDd lawyers
from the Commission IS generally commended.
II he had appointed an engineer, people say, ne
would nave been sure to attempt TO control the
entire Commission, ana lawyer would have
treo to make business for himself for the future.
All the Leading rapid transit men say that by THIS
wise conclusion the Mayor mad saved infinite
trouble and delay for al the prominent engineers
were interested ia Que scheme or anotner, and
Wnu 40
sionerB to their pet plan. ~ generally lel5
that the Commission should be com posed VI first
rate, practical business men, and In appointing
such the Mayor acteu IN perfect harmony with the
WIaneS OF the nennIe.