The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-24
RAPID TRANSIT.

COMMISSIONING DECISION YET.
The Rapid Transit Commission met yesterday,
when the only business transacted, as far could
be learned from the secretary, was the reception
OF three plans, some communications and the
adoption OF a resolution inviting the Greenwich
street Elevated Railroad Company 70 appear before
the Commission next week to o1er arguments In
favor OF the extension OF their road, asked for
in the communication sent to the Commission
few days ago. 1t VIII be seen by the subIoined
interviews with four OF the I'VE commissioners
that the secret or the invitation extended 10
them by this pioneer OF rapid transit 10
that they want TO get free fran
chise that will extend TO the Battery,
for all time and turn the beautiful park that thu
authorities have done so much 20 beautify into
a noisy, unseemly depot. The proposition Is
startling one, and no wonder that the Msssrs.
Mott Selgman, Canda aud Delamater yesterday
put themselves upon record against any such
desecr alton OF a pubic place which is one OF the
few old landmarks remaining. Commissioner
Brown and Mayor Wickham were parties to the
excursion, and it il presumed they, too, are OPP
posed to the scheme. The public viii give the
Greenwich street road liberal support, but IL Is
question whether this attempt TO lay violent hands
upon the Battery will advance their interests
with the people. whose servants the Mayor and
the Rapid Transit Commissioners are.
COMMISSIONER MOTT SPEAKS.
Commissioner Mott on being questioned as to
the discoveries they had made during their ex-
cursion on Thursday over the Greenwich Street
Elevated road, stated briefly that 1t was merely
an examination OF the road by the Commissioners
with a view Of ascertaining whether the requests
made in the recent communication OF the Execu-
tive Committee OF that line Tor AN extension
OF the right OF way were well founded. They
had had very pleasant trip and were
mort nf
road, which they thoroughly inspected; but
of the lower end they Tor at least he)
could say but little. When asked whether he was
aware that report OF tests Of the weight and
strength Of the road mad been made TO the De-
partment OF Buildings showing that the road Ii
dencient in certain points, Mr.. Mott admitted
that he had and said:-
ar such be the case 1t must be on the lower
end failed to find anything OF the kind on the
portion we travelled over. AS l told one OF tho
Commissioners after my first trip over the road
(made last week., was little tlmid at hrst buI
il gradually wore of, ana, as lar as can Judge,
all that portion OF lhe road we passed over yester-
The reporter then asked Mr.. Mott why the argu-
ment to be made before the Commission IN the In.
terest OF the Greenwich street road was to be held
In secret session. when that gentleman stated that
the Commission had not decided whether It would
be secret or open 10 the press. None OF the COM
mission, far AZ he could learn, had any objeo-
the presence OF reporters OF the press; but
be overrun by crazy inventors, well as the DIS
tinguished engineers VINO were daily sending In
Volunteered the Information that he and his asso.
ciates perpexea as TO their powers under
HERALD. That however, was matter that would
be FULLY eliminated wnen they gave the hearing TO
counsel for the Greenwich Elevated Railroad.
WHAT COMMISSIONERS cANDA SAYS.
In conversation vita reporter yesterday Com
Green wich street road would appear and ID ask
for an extension Of their franchise. "The TACT Is"
said Mr. Canda, lowering his voice and speaking
In confidential tone, There Is great deal moro
In that communication signed Dy Courtrignt,
and which was published IN all the newspapers
TWO or three days ago, THAN the pubic or the
press have perceived. ! can't give the exact
wording of the request, but 1t Ii to the effect that
the company wishes to extend Its road 10 the
Hamilton Jerry and from there, at any other
point OF the ROAD to the Forty second street de.
pot. You see IL says first from the Hamilton ferry
to tRe Forty-second street depot Now, you see,n
said Mr. Canda, "if the request was granted the
Greenwich Street Elevated Railroad Company
could build o road on the east side OF Broadway,
through the Bowery and Third or Fourth avenues,
lust as they liked, to Forty-second street. 81
suppose said ne IN answer TO question TO
the powers OF the Commission, ''that We could
give them the right TO construct rapid transit
road, but don't want you TO say that we have
any idea OF giving them that rlght-n
In answer TO query as TO the safety or the ROAD,
Mr.. Canda answered in the Affirmative, but added,
"But at the same time It Is in a very imperfect
condition, and II the company should construct
tue present one. Indeed, think that In time the
present line Will be entirely rebuilt 1t the
New YORK, you know, and 1t cannot be expected
that the road approaches anything like periec-
COMMISSIONER DELAMArER's VIEWS.
This gentleman stated that the question whether
the hearing to pc granted 10 the Greenwich street
road next week would De public private had
not been passed upon by the commissioners. dis
own opinion was that 1t would be public hear
ing. They went over the road with a view OF sat
fsfying themselves OF its condition, and partlcu-
larry TO examine the upper section OF the road,
which is a sample OF mat the company propose TO
construct throughout the extent OF their route.
Mr.. Deamater spoke In terms OF praise OF tneir
work, which was, he considered fine. lie also
said that he Thought the public were favorably
impressed with the Greenwich street road. as II
nad hsa mo wh ne OeeVe9 since tnes
had one OF the points TO be discussed
was whether the Commission had any power
to authorize the company TO cross broadway
and Fifth avenue In order TO reach the Grand Gen.
tral depot The majority OF the Commission
thought that under section OF the act they had
no such right, but the officers OF the company
would endeavor TO persuade them that section 80
OF the act gave them power which section ap-
peared TO deprive them or The majority OF the
Commission also thought. he said that they hac
no right to cross public park, but The Elevated
Railroad wished 10 cross the Battery and con-
struct turnout circle upon 1T. This question
would also be discussed. He also SAID that he be.
leved that the company would suggest On order
that they might connect with the Grand Central
depot and at the same time avoid crossing Broad
way and Fifth avenue) That they should be al.
lowed to go up the east side OF the city from the
Battery, thus making kind OF belt line around
the city.
This gentleman stated that he looked with favor
upon the two-plar plan, OF which there are a mum.
Der OF plans before the Board, as, in his opinion,
1t was much stronger than the Greenwich Streeu
Elevated road. However, nothing would be done
without consulting the pest scientific authorities
in the city. The principal difficulty OF extending
the Greenwich road, he thought, was the proposal
to run the tracks over the Battery, as it would
establish an undesirable precedent. He reports
that the Commissioners at their meetings are
educating themselves, and they Will be SUM-
ciently enlightened on the subject to act Officially
during the month OF August. He further stated
that when the hearing Is given the Elevated Green
wich Street Railroad Company he Will be In favor
OF admitting the representatives, oil the press
The section TO which Commissioner Deamater
referred Is as f0llows:-
sKcr1oN &C. Whenever the route or routes determined
upon by said Commissioners coincide with the
routes covered by the charter OF existing
ton formed for the purpose provided for by this act
provided that said corporation has forfeited its
charter failed TO comply with provisions
requiring the construction of a road roads within
the lime prescribed by its charter such corporation
shall hayethe like power to construct and operate such
railway or railways fulfilment OF the require