New-York tribune., 1879-12-11

RIPID TRANSIT ADVANCING.

ROUTES ABOVE THE HARLEM RIVER.
PRFIIMINAEY REPORT OF THE NEW COMMISSION.
Richard NJ. Hoe, president of the last Rapid
Transit Commission appointed by Mayor Cooper, maze
preliminary report to the Mayor yesterday The Com
mission was appointed August 30 and 1t organized
on September H. The members spent the first thirty
days Of their official in examining with the assist
ancc of an engineer the merits OF the various routes
suggested. Tho Commission became impressed with
the necessity of supplying the upper part o the city
with a comprehensive system OF steam railroads, run
ming mainly between streets and avenues, and crossing
none Of the streets and avenues on grade while such
system could yet be introduced at moderate COST 1t
found that the system of routes proposed by the ola
Commission promised to supply that want.
The report continues: The attention OF this Com
mission has therefore been chiefly occupied with the
consideration OF the proposed changes the only one OF
which OF real importance found to be the project OF
an elevated railroad Thirdaye. from some point
near the Harlem River to the village OF Fordham This
pan however, did not meet the approval of this Board
the principal objections being that such elevated rail
road would damage much private property without
compensation to the owners and that It's cost would DC
too great justify any reasonable expectation OF It's
being built early day careful consideration of
all the suggestions resulted In convincing this commits
sion that they could avoid laying out routes largely
coincdcnt with the suburban routes designated by the
old commission"
This brought on conflict OF authority with the old
commission 10 whether II had the power to organize
more than company. In order that there might be
no doubt to the legality Of the franchises which 1t
proposed t. grant the two commissions agreed to
submit The matter the courts by unanimous reso-
luton passed October 81, this commission desgnaed
certain routes part or which were coincdcnt with me
routes embraced IN subuIb ban lines located by the
old commission. This commission found no variation
Advisable on East side route and but slight deva
tOn the FOrcham Avenue Branch; on the Canrarone
while Its general direction was maintained some vaTla-
tions deemed advisable, and were adopted. Ihe
route des gnated by the old commission as the Jerome
Avenue Branch was not adopted ny this commission.
aud IN its place route substituted designating
direct connection from the bridge crossing the harlem
River at the termination OF Eighth-ave TO the Seniei
Route PARK. thereby avoiding the tun-
| mel between the Harlem River and Cromwelps Creek,
aud crossing Jeromc-aye. but once"
The two Commissions then submitted to the supreme
Court containing an agreed statement OF the
facts necessary present the questions involved and
II Is cxpeccd the will be considered by the 5-
preme Court al General Term In january next This
Commission hav wing up November g. the date OF the
Hesirnng of legal proceeding 9s consumed nfty-sevcn
the sixty days allowed by law FOR the deslga-
,hrce davs lcu tor Gcsignating any further route
routes tnat may be deemed necessary, ana wlll
then proceed with the other portion OF their
work, as directed by the Their hnal desig-
nation Of must depend largely upon t1 decision
the that decision declares the power OF the
old commission exhausted this commission will III like
manner restricted the ganiZatiOn OF but one
company and viii bc able TO make 10 the routes already
designated only such additions may be conveniently
embraced In That one franchise. II on thc otr manu-
the old commission Is sustained, TINS Board VIII De n-
thorzed to designate other independent route or
branch OF existing routes mat may DE needed for
such final action this commission now preparing by
examining the merits uf several fur her routes that
have been suggested 10 them, one OF which - the
project of rapid transit route alongside OF the New
York and Harlem Railroad. on the surface of Railroad
ave. which nj this moment is under consideration. The
capital stock ol the Suburban Raj III Transit Company
organized by The old commission, has alrcndy been
sufficiently subscribed for TO secure the organization OF
the cOmpany; II the court decide that the Old comins
have not that power the franchise to be gwen by
this commission VIII ba open TO the parties tha nave
subscribed TO that stock"