The evening world., 1890-06-21

thence diagonally across lots to Duane street
20 the. intersection OF this line by the centre
before the Board Of Street Openings for the
widening and extension OF Elm street,
thence along Elm street, and Marion
lots aud across Jersey, Houston, Blocker
Bond and Great Jones streets in q direct
line to Lafayette Place, thence through La
a asTSsie f Rstor to place. Assof and fif Eirb asiRssG ssrass
Fourth venue and Park. avenue to Forty
second street, cutting off the northweaster,y
then up Fourth avenue to Forty-second
street.
Our, Investigations have demonstrated
that this road can be built either under or
above ground. or both.
ITS ADVANTAGES.
II IL not necessary in this report to discuss
the manifest advantages OF the line 40
Eolected; it IL sufficient to say that from
Eighth street down tn City Hall it will
greatly relieve, broadway and open up. a
hitherto somewhat neglected portion OF the
city. and i'll all probability advance. instead
Of injure. tho value OF property along Its
line.
The building OF this road il conditioned
upon the opening and widening OF Elm
street through to Lafayette Place and Centre
street BY tue city, now under consideration
by the Board OF Street Openings.
In attempting 70 locate a continuance Of
this ronte to the Harlem River, we deter
mined that its natural course would be for a
great portion OF the distance either over,
nnder or through Fourth avenue above
Forty-Recond street.
While that avenue is already occupied by
the 'rScss q the New YqTk Central Harlem,
Railroads. II will be remembered that the
cut was made at q large expenditure on the
part Of the city-one-half Of the total OK
pense having been paid by the city.
Additional tracks, sufficient TO continue
tho route that We have been able to locate.
could BIO laid in that avenu without inter
forence with the present railway aud with
ing ON the same. whatever the nature of the
STRUCTURE, thin in any adjacent avenue.
Unless Fourth avenue IN selected the route
or Lexington avenue. Lexington avenue Is
only seventy-fiye feet In width, tho road
bed being but thirty-fiye feet wide, and al
underground. would practically destroy the
street Tor residence purposes.
Neither do we consider that Madison
avenue would be 4 proper route TO select. II
stated against Lexington avenue as 4 rapid
transit route, apply to this avenue with
equal or greater force. with the exception OF
the width OF tho street, which. however. Is
but live feet greater.
LET WITH THE MAYOR.
In determining the question OF a route,
nearly sixty days of the time allowed
by the statute have expired, and. yet
the statue requires that within thirty
days more we must decide npOn q plan or
plans for the construction of the proposed
railway, and we are also required to ndyer-
tiSe for the submission OF plans for the con-
struction and operation OF such railway.
We find that il will b. impracticable, with
in the thirty days 30 allowed by the statute.
to properly decide upon such plan or plans.
and we have therefore determined simply to
and 30 far located q central route which We
believe would be largely advantageous to
the public. as determining, TO ZONE extent,
route oan be AyAiled of by n subsequent
Commission that you may see Mt 20 appoint.
in the event that sufficient public interest
TO lead TO new requests for the appointment
Of Commissioners under the act Of 1878.
We may add, that in locating this route.
w received the benefit Of the service OF
competent engineers, and We also ascer-
tanned that the route from it's terminus at
the City Hall could be continued TO the Bat
terry IN the event that the Legislature should
the present exemptions from some
of the streets aud places below.
1t will be borne in mind that we are pro-
from locating . route under, as well
~ over, The exempted streets.
We would also call your attention to the
fact that while II was undoubtedly the in
tent OF the act OF 1879 TO permit the cross
Of the exempted streets and the crossing
OF other rapid transit structures, vet some
questions have arisen-in view OF the form
Of certain AmendAtorY Acts-as TO whether a
line can be located across the exempted
streets or across other lines OF existing rail
wAya.
While we have had the opinion OF compe-
tent counsel on these questions TO the effect
that the intent OF the Legislature was to Au-
the eros ing Of these exempted
streets and structures. there il no doubt that
the statute should be distinctly and plainly
in this regard so that there may be
no room for discussion on this question.
We append a diagram OF that part OF the
proposed route lying between the City Hall
Ard Forty-second street.
WAN A n COMMISSION.
II II Is deemed advisable. a new Commits
sion can be appointed who would have
ninety days after organization TO locate aud
determine upon plans for the construction
the railway, and when necessary amend
shall have been secured from the
to continue the route to the
northern boundary Of the city aud 10 the
south to the Battery.
The. northern continuation could be
directly through tho annexed district. and
llso a westerly line from the terminus at
Fourth ayenue and the Harlem River to the
road or Eleventh avenue. AMI
hence northeTly 70 the city line At or near
(Signedl AUGUST BELMONT,
Woodbury. L~AEoDON,
Q. b. POTTER,
I-H Co. |