The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-13
STREET cans AND RAPID TRANSIT.
what the People OF New York Need for their
Comfort.

MhHf tue Gcopie OF WV 'V'" WV" w. $500
Comfort.
The city's growth during tho last ten
years is due in a great measure to city railroads.
TINS IL well illustrated BY the imurovement on
and near the upper part OF Madison Third and
Second avenues. The roads on the two latter
avenues have been built the whole length OF the
island. and the population and business there
have greatly increased, as likewise the value OF
property. Railroads extend their lines and
travel into the outskirts beyond the houses ana
thus draw population after them. The railroads
give ready access to cheaper land, the popula-
ton settles there. tho travel on the avenue Is
doubled, and business reaps the benefit. Bos-
ton by its radiating lines of steam Railways has
built up its back country for miles into continu-
Gus towns and villages OF elegant residences.
New York owes the same duty to Its suburbs.
The Hudson river and Harlem railroads every
day carry thousands ten or twenty miles into tho
country. but OH their plan tho immediate out
skirts Of the city are passed by and neglected.
Some rapid means Of transit along the length Of
the Island Ia Of vital consequence to the growth
of the city. The subject has received consider
able but not such able. broad discussion as IL
merits. The only practical result 50 far Is the
elevated roa 1, which takes passengers from
Fifty-ninth street to Warren street In about
twenty minutes.
The great increase OF travel on this short road
during the past wear. Notwithstanding its DIS
lance from the dwelling house region on tho
backbone OF the island, Is proof positive OF thu
success which awaits any thorough system OF
rapid transit based on the wants Of the thicldy
populated districts lying between Fortv-seconi
street and Harlem, Madison avenue and lst
river This want Is, In fact. the gre 1t city prob
lem. The growth Of the city in one direction.
now equal to more than an hour and a halrs
walk, renders the solution OF this problem nee
essary. Were II not for the determined and self
ish opposition Of the city railroads rapid transit
would have long since been an accomplished
fact. That the combined facilities Of the Sec
ond, Third. Fourth aud Madison avenues surface
railroads are totally inadequate to meet the
wants Of the popul ltion they claim TO serve was
never M ore glaringly demonstrated than during
the present winter People packed like cattle 10
cold. damp. filthy cars, are, for the most part,
forced t. stand, clinglne by a strap, during the
whole length Of their journey. made longer and
more tedious by every fresh fall Of snow.
One route Of rapid transit through tho inhabi.-
ed portion OF the island, from the City Hall Park
to Harlem river, would shorten distances and
cqualiZe values, would draw the population
ana deposit It equally all over the north
ern end Of the island. Such road
Is already In operation-ths Fourth ave-
nue. underground roal-frOm Harlem river
to Forty second street-ct 1t be continued
underground 70 the City Hall or new Post or
Zee, and the whole problem Of rapid transit Is
solved. II Mr.. william H. Vanderbilt should
nut himself at the head Of n movement looking
toward the Immediate building OF such a road,
and announce that he would carry passengers
by steam from Harlem to the n.w Post Ofics at
the rate Of ten cents per head, he would have
thc best paving road in the country Moreover
the public would take as much stock in the new
enterrrise as Mr.. vanderoIlt chose to spare.
Under such auspices the road could be 5uiit
ana In operation within twelve m ,nths from
the time the FIRST spade was pat IN the ground.
The surface hurse-car railways must give WAY
to tho advancement Of the general good. The
narrow views Of tho men who own these prop
erties are no longer controlling. The most use
ful and Indispensable improvements--ior the
want OF which the growth Of tue city anguish
e.. and tens OF thousands Of people are daily
subjected to great loss Of tims and serious in
convcniencies-cln no longer be retarded ov the
opposition ofthese selfish horse car mon opolsts.
The twelve hundred aud nfty thousand people
who live here. aud whose duty IL Is to prepare
the place. for the many more who are coming,
are entitled for Themselves and their SUCCESSORS.
as wei any people, to save an hour In travel
every morning and evening. They are also en-
titled t. prefer New York before BROOKLYN or
New Jersey. ana to build ~ the city IN the d.
r'cton which an lrds the ulcls ntcst resi- fences;
and II railroad travelled b. team bs the
necessary IN ans thoy must have IL. Ten mites
riil transit DortAward from Wall street 1 as
iup rant To the people who live here. and to
the many millions who yisit here, rs rapid travel
is TO the uilon who 1--we along the line Of tho
Central Railroad.