The New York herald., 1877-01-07
QUICK TRANSIT.

THE PROSPECT OF DOUBLE TRACKS, STEAM EN-
GISEs, COMFORTABLE CARS AND RAILROAD
SPEED FROM THE BATTERY TO CENTRAL
PARK-THE STORY OF THE GILBERT ROAD.
These days whom rapid transit ideas get firm
grip ON the maginaiion-days when miserable hu-
manity hangs by its freezing ngerps to the rails OF
cold street cars, and sees the poor beasts OF horses
struggle and founder along, making innumcrabie
stops, encounterng obstacles at every street corner
dropping occasionally their tracks 10 prolong the
agony Of delay. Bad weather for street cars, but
splendid weather for the rapid transit notion TO grow
and blossom aud bear fruit.
II has not been prolific plant thus far, but its small
fruit has prospered amazingly How few years ago
was /, that the Now YORK Elevated Railroad was a
sckly thing, giving iittlo promise Of the size It has
attained to-dayi Now II carries its 100000 or
10, 600 600 year. and carries them quickly. without
any strainng horses or any fear OF snow bockados.
Its traffic sa.d equal that Of the London Metro
potau Railway.
HOW ABOUT GILBERT RoAp'
That story has been correctly told, but here
the facts:-In june 1872, Glbcrts Improved
Elevated Railway was chartered by the Legislature,
and the Governor appointed commission TO lay out
route He appointed John A. DIX. Shepherd Knapp,
H. G. Stebons and Chester Arthur, and they chose the
route It at present exists The gentlemen compos-
consulting engineers hunting up suggestions in Eu-
rope, and doing other preliminary things in dilaory
sort OF way which found the project still in the
bryonc stages when the Rapid Transit act OF 1878 be-
came law. Cnder this law no elevated railroad could
be built without conforming to certain pecuartics Of
contemplated in the plans Of the Gilbert
road The plans modified TO conform 10 the re-
qurements the new law and the work was resumed
From graceful arched framework, however, tho
roadway had become the plain, square, strong struc
turo IL now 49,
At this point the trouble began. Wary eyes, looking
out for the interests OF some street companies
faucied they detected Impending loss OF business tor
horse when steam was getting nearly into tho
field. So the wary eyes began to look about tor tho
vulnerable points in the Gilbert armor while wary
hands of more than Que horse car company, II is said)
went into wcnlicd pockets and made up neat littc
pool OF dollars 10 supply tho needs Of war; The wary
eyes discovered that the vulnerable point was within
easy reach. They argued this way:-Gbert Company
must build according to their charter Gilbert Company
building according to new law which is not accord
ing TO their charter therefore Gilbert Company must
stop building. So they contrived plausible view OF
the matter, and on the strength OF their ingenuity
Justice Speir, OF the Superior Court, compelled
grant injunction restraining the growth OF the rapid
transit babe for the time being.
The late Chief Justice Mcneil heard argument ON the
case day. but illness drove him away and no died
before getting any further in the matter Judge Sedg
wick thereupon succeeded to the case and continued
Company had no authority 10 bud railroad unless
they built according to their charter and that they
were now building outside tho provisions OF that
charter.
These proceedings related wholly TO the prosecution
OF work upon Sixth avenue. Below that point the
construction OF the road was continued until suddenly,
While making the from Amty street TO South Filth
~ enue there came protest from two or three prop
erty holders OF that neghborhood Leaving about l50
feet OF the disputed territory undisurbcd the company
began proceedings Tor the condemnation OF the prop.
criy Suit commenced before the General Term Of
the Supreme Court and the fight was deter mined
bitter Judge Porter conducted the for the Gilbert
Company whiie the property owners employed several
counsel Toward the end OF the argument William NJ.
Evarts appeared as reinforcement 10 the property
holders SIDE sent. II is said. by the wary street car
companies 10 hold the tort II possible.
The decision lone judge, Judge Daniels, dissentng)
was favorable to the Gilbert Company. Viewing the
case on broad constitutional grounds Judge Brady,
delivered the opinion, maintained virtually that
the changes IN the construction OF the road
repugnant to the constitution The Gilbert road
Mi right and might go ahead. IL now rests with the
wary people Of the other side TO carry the to tho
Court OF Appeals. The decision as u now stands Is
virtual victory Tor rapid transit the obstruction OF tho
infcrio: courts being practically annulled by the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court.
Pryng INTO the sketches and plans and models Of
the Gilbert Company and into the bosoms OF it's man
agers the reporter managed to Get pretty accurate
notion of what the new road Will be when finished.
|. foro safc II will have double tracks a
the way; IT will not run its trains
York Elevated road, being able ty smplo contrv
to keep the trains head foremost al the time; It's
evatcd Company, but big, sturdy locomotives IN shape
like tho ordinary railway engine; Its cars VIII open
by four or five doors at the sides, as well by end
DOORS facilitate ingrcss and egress prevent delay
and provide against accident; the cars viii, morc-
over. be divided into compartments somewhat alter
the o.! those the English tramways, though
tho compartments will not be completely isolated
the VIII be other five cents according TO
commodation--''you pays your money and you takes
your choicc''-and, finally, the road Will be in
pletc running order six months from the removal Of
legal obstacles