The New York herald., 1877-12-25
RAPID TRANSIT.

MI vASDENBURoH's VIEWS REGARDING THn
PROSPECTS OF TIE PROPOSED UNDERGROUND
RAILRoAD-A WORD ABOUT THE CHARTER
Tho underground railway schome that has been
taken up by English capitalists Is attracting consider
able attention In this city. HERALD reporter called
yesterday Mr. vandcnburgh, as that gentleman
anxious say something in regard TO the statements
uladc IN Sundays HERALD by Colonel Pelton and Or.
Gilbert The following conversation snsuod.-
REroRrsR--l havo caliod hear what you have 70
say about Colonel Peilon's statement that you have
no charter.
Mir. vAxDENBURGn-l do not desire to give a legal
opinion the validity OF the charter but It seems
that members OF tho Rapid Transit Commis-
sion. friends OF tho Colonel that directors OF tho
Central Underground Railway in 1879, and assisted
placing two mortgages on the property OF the com.
pany IN the same year, woua be placed In rather an
unpleasant position tho Colonel true.
because II tho charter has expired u certainly
hai prior TO 1878, aud therefore any directors Of .
company raising mony on security that was really
worthless would render themselves liable 10 prose-
cuiion for misdemeauor.
RapoRrER-What proof have you, Mr.. vandenburgh,
that the necessary work accordance with
tho specifications or tho charter.
Mr.. vAxDKSDuRGH-Frss,i Il has been twice so nd.
judged BY competent ovdeuos before tho ccurts SEQ.
ond, leading member OF tho Rapid Transit Commits.
SION who was an officer OF tho Central Underground
Railway, returned under the State Engineer
two years In succession aud think TOR three years.
that the work had bcen commenced / Go not near
say that that evidence Is conclusive, as tnink u
was established court by great deal better evi.
deuce.
RsroarER-Do those Englishmcn know that two ee
vated roads arc now being built Ia tho cityy
Mr. vAaDESsuaGH-Ycs, they know Mi about them
ana all about tbe decision Of tho Court of Appeals
RErokrxx-what reply eau you make 10 tho state
OF CoiouoI Pe,on aud Dr. Gilbert that under.
ground railway VIII not pay on account OF Its immcIsa
cost?
Mr. NASDTsBuRou-rhc Engsnmon say that good
and durable structure Tor a sicam railway that Is 20
carry immense number of passengers - cheaper
underground than Is elevated, aside from auy
pspsation for land They say they have had nearly
ivrty years experience in tho CONSTRUCTION Of cie
waited railroads London aud have found aclua
experience chat tho above statement - true. They
say u naked skeleton road has bccn tried
London and condemned, even tho ground that
when crossing strc,s tho dn and noise Is great
to render them a public nuisance. Sir Edward Wat
kin Is tho president OF the Chariug Cross Elevated
Railway, well rs of the Metropolitan Underground,
ana ne snows that the Charng Gross Company hal to
cover witZ osrth cvcry one oi their sixty-two
bridges In order 10 prevent tho suppression oi
tho road as nuisance, Notwithstanding the fact thas
II the Surrey side Ut The river outside OF tho
Metropolitan Railway district.
rms coar ESTIMATED.
RgroRTRK-WbAt measurca have the EpglIshmcn
tax on ascertain tho cost oi construction un-
dcrgrouDd Railway Va this cityY
u
very thoroughly, an thcy have been furnished with
maps Of every piece OF property aud lot through
winch tho railway Will pass. and had toe valuations
FROM the public Assessor, and private estimate Of all
property that has 10 be purchased 60 thai when
they accepted the estimate that I furnished tho
cosi Of construction from tho Guy Hall 10 Forty
second street they were thoroughly convcrsant win
the subject before thonL
REroKrER-On what do they base their prospects OF
financial prosperity
Nj vAsokspuaGm-Tkescg gentlemen that have un-
dsrtakco thu construction vi underground railway
In TINS cty are for the most part eapisaIlsia
underground rA'iwAyA They know the eoss VI con-
struction Will be about the same II 10 London;
that tho right Of way given In Nov YORK. who're u
has coat millions IN LONDON that tne passenger trao
Is sfsatsr for given space IN New York than Il
Londen; that Tue passenger tsrin 10 higber In New
no% 20 make =" eacaso % Of n' NILE
sixccu rods 0f underground railway IN London,
$40 BOO 600 Of which IL Tor lana, aud yet OF the
companies has leased H. guafanteeng four ana half
per cent that capital, aud therefore they have
doubts as The nnancai success OF an underground
railway IN Now York. In iAct tho whole Of tho
constructlon from tho Battery 10 Haricm River will
not be than tho cost Of this milo and sixteen
rods IN London.
ApvIcgs PROM LONDON
REPoRrKR--Have you heard any further facts from
Loudon
London sinpiy acknowledging the receipt Of my
amended propositions, and IN low days Tie mail viii
IN all probability conhrm the despatch that pub
lshed exclusively IN the HERALD
REPOATER--Whut onnectiVn has SIR kdward Watkin
with the schome
mr. VASDxxponGH--I only know him rs the friend
Of my friends IN London no has taken very groas
interest IA tbe matter do not suppose any syndicate
would have bccn formed IN London Tor such apurposc
without his advice
RKroRrsR--what about tho sixth Avenue Railroad
schooner
Mr.. .VAxDExnrRou--Ncither myself nor my friends
IN LONDON have had anything TO do with the sixth
Avenue Railroad or know anything about the scheme
With which they have been reported 70 be connected