The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-17
the NEw RAprD Transit PRoBLEM
Opinions In Relation to the Proposed Route
straight to the CITY Hall

Tho report Of the Rapid Transit Commits
soners who wero appointed to specify roucs
through Westchcstcr County in laying cut
central downtown route vas discussed ycstcr-
day. The general impression has been that the
field Of duty for the Commission was entirely
within the limits Of tho annexed district. But
its members hold TINT they were authorized to
specify routes through any part OF the city.
Evidently new elevated road from the City
Hall to the Grand Central DEPOT through Con-
tire. Elm .nnd Crosby streets md Fourth avenue.
means greater or less degree OF competition
with tho existing elevated roads. Respecting
this prospective competitor Nj. J. +. Navarro
said that he thought that there WIS slight cause
for nrrrehcnding that new road would he
built. or Il it wus that the traffic of the existing
companies would too seriously intorfered with.
In the first place the figures Of the horse-car
company before any elevated roads were
built showed how small an amount Of
business was douo oyer the Fourth avenue line.
compared with that u the lines enst and west Of
IT, Tho numb1r o. passengers carried annu.
ally lv the Third Avenue line was about
% OO0O n0. and by the Fourth Avenue about
lOWU.OJO. Tho rleyutrd roads were built to
meet great necessity. and now that that neces-
sity has been mpt by lines through the avenues
most travelled. he thought the Mayor would not
approve of the Use OF Fourth avenue md the
strccis naluod In the report In case the Mayor
certain the property owners will not consent,
ana he fanclcd that no commission appointed
by the supreme Court Will force them to admit
the ROAD. Mr. NnNarros ground is thnt inc dr-
nand for the road is not sufficient 10 warrant
tho granting ot -" route, rs 10 using II Tor
freight PURPOSES. he said. the only pros cr p.qco
for "a frol-ht road ia along 90" water front. He
hNd not inquired into the right " the Commits
sion to establish arOutc elsewhere than in the
annexed district.
II should dc horno IN mind THAT the Manhat-
tau Railway Comuany requested tho Commits
20 Inv ont for it, EfftN-
Il ~ Il ,rier, piyrr bo,h b"i,,v th" WcstchrSter
district. One of the counsel TO tho Manhattan
hallway Company said mat there were several
very serious Obstac.cs in the way OF the Fourth
nv"nu" route not tho lpust of which is the fact
, Int part ol IN" street generally termed
Fourth aSrnur. between Fourteenth and Seven-
tccuth fircris, Is not part OF the avenue. II IS
part oi Union square, and as such falls under
the jurisdiction of tho Park Department.
II Is protected from such an invn-
the laws Of 1882. BESIDES this 6rcak in the
route. the Commissioners have made another
themselves. They specify the route from the
city limit 70 tho. north bank OF the Harlem
River. nnd thon. emitting the intervening dis
ianee. begin agnin at tue north side OF Forty
road Il to supply tho missing link. hut that
| cannot be properly made a rapid transit road
as It's bridge over the Harlem is too
| low. IL has 20 be opened about 800 times q
month, and that would seriously interfere with
| rapid transit. He churacicrlzed the plan as
| calculated 20 defeat and discourage the efforts
OF the existing companies To- give the city what
it has So long needed. Both he and Mr.. Ma
varrO said that the plan Of this route had been
maturrd secretly. and without eithcrthe knowl-
c'lge or the advice OF those most interested. No
one knew that the Commissioners were work
ing upon such - route.
Mr.. James Owing, Treasurer of the New
| York Elevated Railroad. thought the road. II
| lNilt. would not be "A formidable competitor.
| The act under which tho Commissioners were
| appointed IL entitled An act to provide for
| tho construction md operation 81 a steam rail-
| way or railways i'll tho counties OF the State.
| Mayor Cooper said that as the report en-
| hraccd u proposed railroad south OF Harlem
! Bridge. he would holdit for further considera-
| tigu.