New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-14
THE GREAT TUNNEL SCHEME.
PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH HIM AS TO THE NEED
OF IT.

PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH HIM AS TO THE NEED
The plan to run a tunnel $50 feet below the
surface and down the backbone Of New-Yorlx.
thence to Jersey City and Brooklyn as a solution
of the rapid transit problem published in The
TRIBUNE on Sunday, has excited more comment
and interest than any other one project thus far
advanced with reference TO broad and durable
solution of the question. AS an indication Of
this, Hcman Clark, who has been considering
the plan and figuring" on its details, called
upon on Sunday evening by representatives of
the West Side Association, who had that morning
read THE TRIBUNE, and who anxious to
know more of the details They had been forcibly
struck with the splendid proportions of the plan
as well as its feasibility, but most of all, probably,
by Tie relief IL promised for people far uptown.
These representatives will soon hold a consultation
with Mr. Clark rcgar ling the scheme.
Aqueduct Commissioner Barnes, one of the cor
porators of the East River tunnels which il is
proposed to put at Thirty ffthst., and run across
the city to Tenth-ave., at a depth Of some fifty
feet, informed Mr. Clark yesterday that his com
pany would undoubtedly puts its tInncls down
lJC feet below the surface 50 ms to form part
and continuation of the great tunnel
Chief Engineer Church of the AQueduct spoke
of a phase of the matter yesterday which has
a most important bearing On the SANITARY con-
diton of the city. He said:
Below Ffty-thrd-st., or that neighborhood,
this city has no underground system of drainage
Such q system exists above that street Below it
there is much filed in ground where once were
ponds or streams Now contagion and disease
may be slow in developing from such ground, but
there is no doubt that parts of this city are un
healthy in consequence Of it, tunnel 80 feet
below the surface would furnish first-class
means for the drainage of the districts refer TO-
Such depth would enable such drainage to be
made from any of these old ponds or streams
Mr.. Church was asked TO mention some of these
localities but he declined to do this as Il state
ment of this kind night work injury to property
in various parts of the city.
As to the general plan of the tunnel Mr.. Church
said
1t is perfectly feasible and to tell the truth
il is the and the only one which has been
running in my mind for the solution OF the rapid
transit question broad basis. There can be
no trouble about motor power. Mr. Clark see,
refers 30 electricity. | am inclined to think that
compressed air would be the motor. / have lust
learned of the use of this force in practical
way as regard speed and the tonnage drawn: How
ever one the olher will undoubtedly be in shape
for use within two years, the tine within winch
As to ventilation Mr. Church corrOborated the
views Of Mr. Clark that in q tunnel $50 feet
deep, having short and long shafts there would
be no trouble in getting plenty OF fresh ar III
would be necessary he said, to regulate the
draft for as shown the aqueduct, strong
current of air would be constantly passing. aid.
As to foundations of buildings Mr.. Church sald
"Thcy would not be affected IN blasting at such
a depth OF course care would have to be eX-
ercised and massive OFFENDERS would have TO be
ercised and massive cylinders would nave 10 DC
tan Valley but these points Wqn,u present I'D
the plan a good deal il seems TO me the pest one
for the solution Of the rapid transit problem