The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-10
RAPID TRANSIT.
The Opportunity for Future Commercial Rail-
ways and Warehouses.
strengthening the Greenwich
Street Railway.
OPINIONS OF CHIEF ENGINEER GRAHAM

OPlNlUNS VI lHlEf ENUlNEEh GRAHAM
few days ago the HERALD published an article
In which were detailed some OF the comments
made by downtown merchants on the action
taken by the DOCK Department 20 procure author
ity TO have the proposed bulShead and perheads
ITO feet nearer TO the houses on South street
than their present instructions indicate that they
shall place them. 1t has been ret idea
OF the merchants spoken OF to have a rail-
road for rapid running freight trains around the
city, and to have "snuntsn from 1t leading into
monster warehouses built on the bulkhead. To
allow room for both the railroad and the ware.
houses South stree, must have the extreme
width that would be given 1t If the bulkhead were
built out TO the limit established in 1S7l-that Is
space between the houses on the west side Of
the street and the East River OF $50 feet. II
was not strange. then, that the merchants became
indignant when they heard OF the action of the
Dock Commissioners. hey had accepted tho
idea as one that, being carried out in the future
would overcome all the great needs OF commerce
here-rap.d transportation and secure orage Of
freight. They had cherished It, and had only
waited for the work OF the Dock Department to be
completed organize company 10 carry 1t into
effect. The action OF the Dock Department, then,
was cause OF wonder TO them, for they could
not why that bureau should oppose
Charles X. Graham, Chief Engineer of the Dock
Department, to the effect that II the bulkhead
line were placed 10 feet within the proposed limit
saving OF $3.50 900 would be effected on the cost
OF every mile OF artificial river boundary, gave the
stcKlers for the "raroad and warehouse
scheme base for their complaints; and they
asked with seeming pertinence, II such saving
could recompense New York for the loss of. her
commerce In the future. 1t was to get answer
70 N arh ctntA
General Grahams IDEAS upon the agitateo subject
OF rapid transit, That the writer called at Dock
Department yesterday afternoon
General Graham dechned to speak In detail OF
the MEANS to accomplish rapid transit. lie said
that his ideas were embodied IN the report OF the
Committee OF the American Society OF Civil Engi-
neers: that they had already been foresaadowed
in the comments OF the newspapers On that
report, and would De known exactly when the
document is published az the latter part
Of this week In speaking of the rea.
Department IN favor Of lessenlng the proposed
width OF south street, General Graham SAID that
are opposed reducing that width, ana he as
sured the writer that neither ne nor the members
OF the Dock COMMISSION moved by wish TO
make show OF economy IN advocating sucn a re.
duction. lie SAID the merchants nave only dis
river 'front.' with reference to room Tor their de-
sired railway and warehouses; that they have not
:endlng far INTO the East River upon that
stream. SAID he. "dne East River, at
Fulton fefrv and at Grand Street 1850 Tie
river then from Grand street TO its mouth is fun
D tn TINS we nav he naa sy
for weeks with ice Il 1t were not for the continual
movement OF strong steamers and the great force
OF the tl1e Now, II the buiKhead and piers were
butt out to the lines proposed Tor their limits the
piers would greatly lessen the width OF tue river
and for time TO support the ice In its re-
slstance to the tide and the power Oh the steam
ers. But they would very soon be weakened and
finally be overthrow by the immense forces OF
the ice and the currents. We cannot afford TO
encroach upon the width of the river, and n We
7 onnl1 affNrA m In " 10 rno1Nl
to ouid piers strong enough to resist
the pressure OF the Ice and the currents; the
| to lessen the proposed width oil South street was
INSPIRED by know edge or these facts, ana not by
! pense OF New Yorx's commerce."
Cannot railway for rapid transportation Of
that thoroughfare Is only liO feet wides" asked
though no warehouses NAV be Quilt on that street
they can be erected on West street. which will DO
Commissioner Wales now entered the room and
took part IN the conversation. He said the mer-
extremely "" vide espanade along S.''' the East
River as the members OF the Dock Com.
exact knowledge OF those efforts before they de.
clded to memorabilia the Legislature Tor authority
thew Would not interera With the course Of the
East River. and be in continual danger OF demol,.
tion by the pressure r OF ice and the eurren.s He
room on West street, when the works OF the Dock
Department there are fnlShed Tor the erection OF
warehouse they are not likely ever 20 be built.
The west side of the city will PROBABLY be the
entrepot of the commerce with foreign ports.
while the east side VIII be the seat OF local or
domestic commerce. The steamboats,. schoouers.
and all the small vessels Will PROBABLY nave their
oerths on the East River. The entire width
be required, there is scarcely any doubt,
for the use OF acknowledgements and passenger
and by the use OF the former the merchants viii
be able to take their freight rapidly fon the
docks to warehouses and thence throughout the
city,"
RAPID TRANSIT FOR PASSENGERS.
The Greenwich Street Elevated Railway Com.
pany is now strengthening its roadway. For
several months THIS road. In the opinion OF pas
rapid transit, and IN the opinion OF engineers,
mas hardy beel secure IRON the prooa-
billty of accidents. The beams OF the
iron structure have become tensile from the
lack cl adequate support, ana as IRAN passed
over them they have been observed to s'sag'' at
their centres, sometimes TWO or three inches. The
supports that are now beng given to the beams
Will prevent then from ''sag2ngn In the uture.
A PAIR OF truss roads are being placed under each
beam between the posts and connected with the
latter by system OF braces. The roadway Is soon
10 be marrow gaugedh and steel rails are to be
substituted for the iron rails now IN use.
Mr.. J. NJ. Drake informed the writer yesterday
afternoon that the work of collecting subscrip-
lions to the subsidy" or deferred stock'' fund
is going on very well. number of gentlemen
have already reported tnat their "Ists" are be-
ginning to show very pleasing array Of pledges.
A partial report OF subscr ptions will be called
for very soon. Mr. Drake says that The project
Endorsed at the Chamber OF Commerce meeting
VIII be persevcred wtn without regard TO
other movements to procure rapid transit ana
he continues to believe that 1t Will ultimately
meet with success. Letters are sent to him every
day commencing the PROJECT, ana It Is certain that
the company which receives the deferred stock"
fund with whici to begin the construction Of
rapid transit railway will not iall for want OF sub
scrbers TO its regular stock.
MUNICIPAL NOTES.