The New York herald., 1879-03-26

confidence that he will leave it safe and sound And
that would be the case if it were not for the cross
ings now in Otherwise elevated road is the
safest in the world Before long trains will follow
each other regularly at interval of one minute
from Harlem to South ferry and from South ferry to
Harlem yet If there switches to cross There
would be feally not the slightest danger of collision
REPonrER-rhen why do you continue to have
switches at Forty-second street and Chatham
Mr.. FrELD-I have opposed their use from the
first; but am only one director in a Board of
thirteen. Personally l have all along insisted
that passengers to the Grand Central Depot
should leave the Harlem and South Ferry
trains at Forty-second street and be trans-
fcrred to Fourth avenue special trains. The
arrangement should be made at Thirty fourth street
for persons going to the Thrtyfcurth street ferry
and ut Chatham square for passengers to the City
Hail. IN fact. the Board has decided to put inde
pendent trains in operation at tho uptown branches
and it only remains to take tho same precaution at
Chatham square There will be meeting of tho
Board of Directors Wednesday of next week. when
the question will come s up p and think ,;.,n be
such step Is necessary to restore public confidence
in the As said to another director to-day,
passengers would damage rapid transit in New York
to the extent of half million dollars. We can't
afford to compromise tho reputation OF the road by
neglect In 80 important matter.
THE CHATHAM SQUARE CROSSING.
II there is much danger at single crossing such
as that at Third avenue and Forty y-second street.
where yesterdays accident occurred it will readily
be that when the east side Metropolitan ''L" be-
gins to run. Chatham square will become doubly
where the City Hall branch leaves the main
road but soon there will be two, the second
being ut the junction OF Division street and the
Bowcry. where tho New York and Metropolitan roads
will unite. On Sunday, March 2, diagram pub
lished in the HERALD showing how the possibility of
q collision 1t that point might be avoided by en-
tire separation Of the tracks. tho City Hau
branch connecting with the main limo in tho
Bowery. and the South ferry branch WITH
that in Dsvision street. A common station ut
tho noFttcast corner of the Bowery and Division
street would allow passengers to change cars for
oif fher fprfn Whpt Ip n
Division street and Second Is completed. that
company will make use Of the New York company s
I, roads below Chatham square. The suggestion
made in the HERALD that the New
York IL" should use the City Hall branch.
and the Metropolitan 'L the South ferry
below the Chatham square station. This proposed
separation of the tracks would remove the posi-
bity OF accident ut that critical point and
the only really dangerous feature Of the east side
road. But President Field, when his attention
called to the plan. exclaimed:-"What.
branch of line? That would hardly be satisfac-
tory. much better way. am convinced. would be
to have the Metropolitan road run from south ferry
along South street to Catherine and Catherine to
Division its junction with Chatham square.
That would give the Metropolitan Company the first
chance at the COCOON Brooklynttes landing ut the
Catherine street. Peck slip, Fulton street and Wall
street ferries and equal chance with at the
South ferry terminus. have suggested 1t to some
OF their directors, but, of course. they couldn't COM
init themselves before the matter considered at
a meeting of the Board. They have legal right to
the use of Chatham street and New Bowery, bu.
think it possible TO como to . sensible agreement
with them on the merits Of the case"
This plan IL will be remembered, was suggested in
the HERALD some timo ago.