New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-22
RAPID TRANSIT.

Fortunately, if not fortuitously fortunately
that is, for the association of gentlemen. so to
spsak who are kind enough to look after the
gathering and the spending Of the citys money,
and who are now on trial for their pleasant trade
whereby they live-the long-eYpected report OF
the Rapid-Transit Commission comes Just in
time to attract the attention of voters to the
good that Tammany intends, without requiring
it to explain away the harm it has not yet be-
gun to do. The law was passed January 81
a fortnight later the Commission was organized ;
after eight months under the considering cap, it
is at least coincidence that the handsomely
printed report with the full exhibits land the
graphic plans makes its appearance Just thirteen
days before Tammany passes to its ordeal. " A
curious coincidence, Sammy VERY curious
coincidence, indeed" remarked the greatest OF
coachmen after spilling the opposition electors
into the ditch on the very morning OF the cleo
ton. The game is a small one, hardly worth
smile voters outside of Tammany Hall who do
not know that the Wigwam roofs in the least
harm when It's inmates are doing nothing must
surely belong to the class that does not care.
Be that as it may, from any hands, at any
time, in any practicable form and at any cost
not actually prohibitive, the people of the city
of New-Yo rk are not merely ready, but eager, to
welcome Rapid Transit. For this boon, long
waited for, the citizens could forget many things
and forgive more. Whether this plan or that
plan matters little, and details matter still less,
so long as the main object be accomplished
There are, as the Commissioners say, many rea-
sons for preferring viaduct road through the
middle of the blocks reasons, perhaps, more
and weightier than the Commissioners seem to
think But the Commissioners have decided
for d road chiefly underground, with two, three
or four tracks on one level as near as may he
to the surface, from the Battery by Broadway,
Union Square and the Boulevard to the city
line and for a similar connecting line on the
East Side from Union Square by Fourth, Mad
isOn and Jerome aves., in all about fourteen
miles of road and many more of track. Very
properly, the motive power is to be electricity
or some other means not involving combustion,
and capable of giving maximum speed of forty
miles an hour. Except below Beaver-st near
Canal ST. and at special points, the excavation
is to be done without disturbing the surface.
These are good provisions, and of the plan as
a whole it may be said that it is well thought
out. and fairly presents the issue for acceptance
or rejection.
In the first instance, this will be the duty of
the Common Council next Wednesday. After
ward, if the property Owners along the line,
whose rights may lbe affected, fail to consent,
the case may be carried through the courts to
special commission. But these questions count
merely for delay; if the money be forthcoming
the road will be built Will the money be
forthcoming? That must largely depend upon
the cost. and of this the Commissioners give us
not an inkling. Outside estimates vary from
thirty to ninety or a hundred millions All such
estimates are mere guesswork. When the de-
tails are worked out by the engineers, first those
of the Commission and at last those of the cap
italists who think of undertaking the big job,
estimates will be in order. Then, in this final
FORM it will be a question for the capitalist.
"What will he do with ?'