New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-11
RAPID TRANSIT AND GREATER NEW
YORK.
REASONS WHY THE COMMISSION SHOULD PRE-
PARE FOR 4 LINE TO BROOKLYN

REASONS WHY THE COMMISSION SHOULD PRE-
PARE FOR LINE TO BROOKLYN.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Plans for rapid transit in New-York should.
ii to me. take into account the coming
Greater New York. and keep in view the extension
of the system under the East River into Long ISL
and. or course, at this present time. the Commits
sioners' routes are all that can well be undertaken;
but the enlarged municipality. II 1t is to be city
in fact and TO be one in the fullest sense with all
the advantages accruing must have such inter
communication would result from extending the
proposed Manhattan underground road into Brook
Ign and its suburbs
The extending OF this system into Brooklyn and
Carrying a spur of 1t a surface road 10 Coney
Island or some near shore point would. believe.
greatly increase the earnings Of the Manhattan
Island portion. well prove profitable within
its limits. The current OF travel through the
river tunnel would be increased; in winter It would
especially profit by the uncertainties. discomfort
and tediousness of ferry and bridge travel and in
summer by the much speedier and cooler run 10
and from the seaside for the Manhattan population.
Let the Commission now so depress their grade
from the City Hall southwark as TO maxi II easy
continue the tunnel under the river, and then
when the time is ripe all the above great extension
be made
Allow to say that the tunnel then should pass
under Governors Island and connect with It; IN
which case that little island would become val
liable yet a military barracks or even OF greater
value still as a water park or as little unique
residential city. Continuing. the tunnel should strike
well toward the west end OF Brooklyn, and when
landed should take a crescent course that would
touch Prospect Park and keeping well TO the rear
of the present densest pOpua tlOn eventually bring
up in the neigilDorhood of Astoria, taking OFF At
the convenient point for travel the spur 10 the
beach. In time. this extended under the water
to the above-Harlem district and then connected
with the Fourth-ave. Underground, a circuit would
be formed Of great value Ultimately Brooklyn could
have a second road much the river front.
connecting each end with tho first and 50 form
ing oval. just as New-York could connect her
east and west lines at the north into an oval
Thus would result ceinture, or outer circuit.
connecting the two great divisions Of the coming
city at their eXtremites. and two lesser circuits.
either side of the river. This may be looking
ahead too far, some may think or be taking too
great future for granted Yet who can place the
growth limits TO this greater municipality;
So, | say let the commission keep Brooklyn and
the Greater New-York In mind and depress their
tunnel at the Battery for the inevitable extension.
Is IL not true that II such great works this
outlined above do not attend the bringing togcth, r
OF the two cites-lf comfort and order AMI sys-
tenn II facilities and amenities OF many sorts are
promoted by It, II civic pride does not keep pace
with the larger city and have good and abun Ian,
reason to-we may wei. ask, What Is the cool Of
consolidation? Mere numbers. mere aggregaiion. Is
nothing. w. n. VAN BENSCHOTfN.
West Park, n. Y. March 4. 1895