The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-28
RAPID TRANSIT.

THE CHATHAM SQUARE coNFERENcEs-PRoG-
REss OF THE WORK ON THE TWO Ell
EvATED RoADs-NIGHr WORK susP ENDED.
Tho people have been led 10 believe by enemies Of
rapid transit that the Gilbert and New York Elevated
Railroad companies have been quarreliing, and that
their rivalry ungenerous ono which would
tend to impede the progress OF tho work Of each.
Reports have been industrously circulated stating
that both companies were likely TO have .
bitter loyal tussle over tho settlement OF their
CLAIMS TO right OF way through Chatham square. 1t
generally understood, also, that the companies
had called in the aid OF counsel TO represent them be-
fore sort Of court Of arbitration composed OF d. d.
Field and Judge J. X. Porter. There was only q
grain OF truth in all this OF rumor. The CON-
panies not quarreliing az all; they were simply
celebrating the best method OF advancing their
work OF construction without interfering with each
other.
THE SITUATION.
There was no fuss between the employees OF either
company at Chatham square. The only difficulty
which ensued, the officers OF each now claim
grew out Of tho non-presentation by the New
York Elevated Road foreman OF the permit OF the De-
partment OF Public Works empowering the to dig
up The street. This was quickly rectlfed, and the
companies engineers finding that this work AZ .be in
tersectlon Of their roads Interested both alike-that
Is say certain portions OF the roads or each at this
point should be constructed so as 10 be servccable
either thought that tho time aad come tor an under
standing between them For several days The officers
of corporations aud their counsel have look
my into the matter together, settling what Kind Of
foundations umns, rails &C. there shall be at this
poinl and how many feet OF the roads shall DO used
Tor backing waiting and other purposes by the trans
Of both. or course these details are numerous
and intricate, and require great deal OF
time 10 arrange. That fur and satisfactory
progress is being made by the parties is stated by
those who present AT tho meetings. and an early
and amicable termination 70 the conferences is ex-
pected.
Mr. Cyrus W. Field the President Of the New York
Elevated Railroad Company, said to HERALD reporter
yesterday:-mrher never was any real aimcalty, as
who should construct and operate certain points
along tie route We lust both occupy, and the upshot
OF deliberations was that one should construct
them and the other have the right OF way over them
by paying hail the expense OF construction. We are
myself perfectly agreed TO do all we can to push
along the work OF rapid transit"
From In vestigation and inquiry among the officers
OF both companies IL learned that there was some
.tak" about the Chatham street section OF the route
The Gilbert people broke ground IN thGt thoroughiare
and were proceeding TO lay their foundations and
build their road tuere SOON possible, when tho
New York Elevated Company called their attention to
the fact that tney too, had right Of way over TINS
now THE WORK PROGRESSES.
The Gilbert Elevated Road has made rapid strides
toward completion between Forty-second street and
Sixth avenue ana Worth street. Upward OF $50 foun-
dations have been laid IN the last three weeks. In
this section OF the road only 42O are needed. The
foundations completed Wost Broadway and
South Filth avenue from Worth 10 Houston street.
Last week men worked at night the avenue
West Broadway, but the operations in the day
were much better than those performed alter dark.
So It was resolved 10 discontinue the latter The
companies have taken every prccaution 10 cover up
and fence In tho many holes and openings along the
and streets, and watchmen are stationed 10
prevent accident TO any On Front, PEARL Chat
ham and Greenwich there Two lines Of red
aud white lights, which look like so many rows Of
Chinese lanterns On the Bowery, as tar IS Canal
street. these to be seen Too, aud tho effect alter
mid lght Is very picturesque. Far As tho eye can
reach along Sixth avenue below Twentleth stree:,
there appear wooden frames at intervals. These are
living with bright lights, Two and three deep. on each
side Of the way.