New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-03

of passengers he thinks, greater In the four-
track level system than in the double-deck sys-
tenn The platforms of stations, he says, shouiu
not be under fifteen feet in width am Oh
opinion" he adds, that in ~ four-tracR ieVei
system it would be best to defect the local tracks
at all stations, whether local or express ana 10
adopt island platforms. The divergence OF
tracks at stations / do not consider matter Oh
any Importance" -,
A iudicious employment of motors will ne
thinks. simplify the question Of ventilation, ana
will require little artificial aid TO render 1t en-
tirely satisfactory. In the underground system
there would be no danger from water as long
as the grade was kept above tide-level.
I'm conclusion" writes Mr.. Wilson, Il desire
70 rive nv opinion in favor of the fourtrack level
system, essentially as submitted by ". f. Worthen
Engineer in Chief Of the commission, wlCn SUN I'm
following reasons: 1t affords better iacllltleS lor
connections with branch lines; IL lnterlcIes ess
with foundations OF adjacent Dullalhgs, ~ uoee
not disturb the pipe and wire subway stations az
present in existence, or their connections WIN
buildings and cross streets and at the slhe ., =;
il permits them to be rcadJusted ana piaceu ~
Galleries in the future, il desired on an ehtirey
Independent basis from that of the railway system,
and without any interference; it gives oettet =
facilities at stations for transfer OF passensesS, -
is ca pable of being better ventilated ana ~ ahTLus
better facilities for construction with much less
obstruction to street traffic; ,,. sovs
Octave Chanute In introducing his report, say 5
that the engineering problem is so oOinpeb be hest
il does not seem to admit OF arriving at Jne ocsV
solution by the exclusive adoptl9h Oh nnS .St Int
general plan It seems advisable either tnaC
Working plans shall be made in great detail, or
that the Specifications of your Board shall, while
carefully guarding public and private lhttIesos,,
permit of notifications in making the nnal plsn&s, r.
After o careful survey and examination OF te
routes and plans, Mr.. Chanute makes the loiio"'
ing recommendations a !
First From Battery TO Union Square, two and
three-quarter miles Single track loop - on the
same level to City Hall Park; thence merging
into four tracks double decked; thence double
decked tracks to Clinton Place; thence merging
to fonr tracks on level at Fourteenth-st;, thence
in pairs around Union Square, in tunnels about
eleven feet high, raised and depressed 10 eaecO
functions of lines without grade crossings sepo-
rate pipe chamber being provided if required. :,
Second. From Union Square to Central ParK,
four and half miles. West line. starting WIN
four tracks approximately on the sar n, 70 be
merged into two separate tunnels for two tracks.
each on the same level in the vicinity or Ihlr%-
fifth.st thence to continue il rock tunnels, strao,
ding the cable railway as far as it goes; and
thence to Central Park East line Four tracks
on the same level in rock tunnel under Park?ave'
10 FOrty-second-St., and tnence unuer h"uison
ave to Central Park.
Third Central Park to Manhattanville or TO
Harlem. seven miles. West line. -Four tracks On
level in pairs in rock 1unnes rsss epG@t not East
line Fonr tracks on same level in rock tunnel to
Ninety-sXth.st.
" Fourth Manhattanvie to observation-disclosures
cichtv-frsts st. Harlem River to AlOrrisonla, hvc
miles of line West line. Four tracks on same
level in rock tunnel under centre of Boulevard.
Fifth From One-hundred red-and-eighty-hrSt-st., or
Norrisania. to city hhitatlons, nine ana three
quarter miles West line. Ordinary surface rail-
The report of Theodore Cooper, Of this city,
is extensive lie is unable, however, after q
careful study of the plans of both engineers, to
Give his individual approval to either one. lie
agrees with Mr. WOrthen that a two-track road
will br ample TO do all the passenger service Tor
the system below City Hall. He also thinks
favorablv of the arrangements of the four tracks
in double tier. as suggested by Mr.. Parsons, for
certain parts of the route A.
Mr.. Cooper would make the line from tho
Postoflce to the Battery double-tracE line only,
forming a loop at the Battery, with provision az
this point for such additional tracks as may DC
necessary. -,
In tho opinion of John Bogart, the plan sub
mitted by Mr. Worthen is more economical than
that of Mr. Parsons. He also gives his approval
to Mr. Worthens proposition TO place the four
tracks upon the same level. He thinks that the
ventilation of the conduit can I've made perleet
bv the constant introduction of fresh alr. ana Is
satisfied that motors, with the use OF electricity
or compressed air, will he so perfected IN con-
sruction as to give rapid transit without vtlatlng
the air. III
The next meeting Of the Commission VIII be
held on Tuesday at O'Clock.