The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-10

Mr.. Cowing, Secretary OF the New York
Elevated Railroad Company. has declared that
by the Fourth Of July next, " sooner. II posi-
bic this road will he in operation from Eighty
first street. in Third avenue, around the city to
Eighty-fl first street and Ninth avenue. With the
Inauguration Of steam transi, will commence q
new era in the growth OF the city.
SO long Ms wholesale business remained con-
centrated below Chambers street. and while re-
tail business crcpt slowly up Broadway. mixing
and losing itself among private residences. be-
tween Bleecker street and Union square, omni-
buses afforded the chief means Of transporta-
ton up and down town.
They had taken the place Of the stage coach.
which In olden times served TO build up with
flrst-class houses the west side region. in the
neighborhoOd Of Twenty-third street, then
known as Greenwich and Chelsea With the
commencement OF the settlement OF the city
north Of Twenty-third street. some twenty 1vo
years ago. horse cars were brought into requi-
stion. Brooklyn and Jersey City received
great accessons OF population from this city
during the era of omnibuscs. 1t was more con-
venicnt to cross the ferry than TO waste valuable
time in long. tedious ride TO the dwelling
house region above Twenty-third street.
With the introduction Of horse cars. In the
face Of most determined opposition on tho
par ol sthEe lines. u new impetus wis given 10
the growth and development Of the city north Of
Twenty-third street Practically speaking the
horse car system has built up. or caused to DO
built up. the whole east side district above
Thirty-fourth street. So far us the further
rapid growth Of the upper part of the city is
concerned. the horse ear system is no longer
available. We have outstripped its capacity to
benefit US. ride in crowded horse cars from
City Hall Park to points north OF Sixtieth street
has come TO be regarded with about the same
feelings rs was years ago the ride in the omni-
bus to points north Of Twenty third street
What omnibuses and horse cars have slowly ac-
complishcd in the past. steam and tlfe elevated
roads will accomplish more rapidly in the
future.
Horse ear lines will continue to prosper and
fourish their necessity will be oven greater
than before tho Introduction OF rapid transit and
their use for local business in short trips will
render their scrvicn fully ~ profitable as II has
been in tho past. The combination Of these two
modes Of transit will. no doubt, eventually rem
der New York the best served city in the world.
and every inch Of her real estate will enjoy tho
benefits of perfect accessibility. and will be
equally desirable for business or residence
purposes. Although this system OF elevated
roads is not of our liking choice. and although
even now we are not prepared to give 1t our
fun approval ut tho same time. as the only
present practical and accessible system we are
ready to welcome 1t and extend to 1t all
the consideration II deserves. Our chief
objection. and ono which we think time
cannot fail to Justify. is that of its perish
able nature. We shall not cease 10 re-
gard II as experimental and temporary in its
character That we shall in a not distant future
have an underground road from City Hall Park
to Forty-sccund street. connecting there with
tho Fourth avenue underground improvement.
We have little doubt. II has seemed to us that
since so much time has been lost in ngh,n. for
the bare principle Of rapid transit. and in over
coming the numerous obstacles which have
been thrown in the way OF it, realization. when
at last the work was undertaken. IL should have
been by n method and under a system which
would give the promise of permancnre
With perfected system of steam elevated or
underground roads will come the utilization OF
the horse ear lines as connecting links between
tho collateral lines Of rapid transit. What has
been accomplished for the growth of the city
during the horse car period may be- taken M
an earnest of what may be- expected when the
regions between SNticth and Eighty-siNtli
streets are brought within twenty-five minutes
OF the City Hall Park