The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-13
RAPID TRANSIT.

AN ASTONISHING SIGHT BY NIGHT ON SIXTH
AvENUE-ovER FIVE HUNDRED MEN LAYING.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE GILBERT ELEVATED
RoAD-IMMENsE PROGRESS OF THE WORK
FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
An extraordinary spectacle was presented on Sixth
last evening" and the quiet respectable people
who live and DO business on the line Of that ample
thor0ughare were exercised in spirit far beyond their
customary experience. Over five hundred men, in
gangs Of nine and ten, spread along the
from Seventeenth to Forty-second street, working
away with vgor unusual TO SEQ, lay
ing tho foundations for the Gilbert Elevated
road They did their labor by the light OF lamps
suspended to upright posts, and these with the adj
ditlon Of powerful calcium reflector erected in the
of the at Seventeenth street, looked in
the like torchlight procession PrcsIden-
tal campaign. Numbers Of people were attracted by
tho uncommon sight, and, except among those who
were actual residents of the avenue great interest
and satisfaction were manifested in tho work
going some OF the property holders were
absolutely savage, but the truth discovered
OF the obscure and loast wealthy
class. prominent rcsldent sail that IN the begin
Dng of the rapid transit agitation, there were
classes In opposition elevated road being erected
on the avenue One held meetings ana constantly
Moderated against the thing In any shape or form;
the other that opposed because the design contem-
pated tho extension OF the road entirely
who now wiling TO accept II, SINCE the
plan was modified aud the pillars OF the structure
placed q double carriage width from the sidewalk
The sixth Avenue Railroad Company II Is said. tanned
tho opposition in every direction and still continues to
estates on the avenue never represented at The
anti-rapd transit meetings Neither tho Rhnclandcr
Peil estates owners OF hall the best property
the line, ever objected.
RAPID WORK.
Work began Monday, tue 9th INST, at Forty-second
street, gong south, aud at Twenty street, going
IN the same direction. On Wednesday JUNCTION
procured by the Sixth Avenue Railroad Company.
served on tho company Thursday morning The same
day II was vacated, and WORK resumed and carried
on with the same vigor as fore. Last night
fouudations were laid and completed from Thirty
filth street TO Forty second street. on the east
sido OF the street car tracks, and IRON Seven
teenth street 10 Twenty-second street on the
same side. Az the time the excavation and build
ing Of foundations was proceeding on the west side
between the points named. Al no place GU the avenue
did the work proceed simultaneously on both aides Of
the track the the carriage traflc
was wholly undlsturDed. By December 8, weather
permitting, IL Is expected the foundations will be en-
i,rey lad from Worth street to second Then Will
begin tho task OF putting up tho structure, which w
be done IN three ferent sections one commencing at
Worth and West Broadway and forging NORTH oa
Junction with the present piece OF rapid transit build
ing in south Filth avenue aud the other Two begin
nng respectively at Forty and twenty sscond
streets and WORKING south The road will likely be IN
running order IRON worth TO Forty second street,
rmx SORT OF FOUNDATIONS LAID
Nobody who has failed 10 see the method OF build
ing the foundations for tho columns can conceive
easy of appreciation. mole, seven ieet squire ana
feet deep dug in the street beside the street car
track, aud then TWO blue base tlagstones, averaging
inches In thickness lowered side by side and
imDedded IN Jour inches Of hydraulic mortar. brick
pier Is then built with cement on top oil theS stones,
through tho four corners Of which projed upward
four columns screwed IA place below On top OIL the
BRICK pier base for the foot 81 TIE column
placed aud screwed 10 the iron columns Just men
toned, the whole making a iouDdalion AS SOLID rs
could be desired Tho earth Is then hled H. ano when
the paving stones are replaced nobody would dream
how UGH work had been done below theevel oil the
street in short "A time The base OF tie Pillar is
not discernable on the surface Of the street from
u little distance away. Where "a Jas pipe or
water main is uncovered u plan y submitted
and approved by the department OF lubiic works,
and the pipe main lett IN tunnel W an arrange
ment OF iron bridges SO that when II Hcds repairing
DO reached without disturbing ANYTHING put the
stone ana gravel OF the street.
The epginccrs at the head OF WHOM ID MI Sloan,
have taken up their quarters over sorner house on
the avenue, where tuey have been working nisnt
and day. Yesterday they were served Win
n notice to quit by the landlord because
he is afraid OF ridcule tho People on the ave-
nue. are treating him to may commune W give MIN
for harboring the re pid transit engineers MI ueorso
NJ. Pullman, the president OF tho company, " aevo'
ing all his energies 10 the enterprise Wncn 70 unuer
his constant personal direction. Ne woikmen arc
paid by the day, ana did not strikeon VII near .eu
O'Clock last evening Between hoorers masons
foundry men nc the company 10 now employing q
fore OF about two Thousand, anu Is pushing along
ike a steam eLgino