New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-24
UNDERGROUND ROAD PLANS.
TESTIMONY OF THE ENGINEER BEFORE
THE RAPID TRANSIT COMMISSION.

The Supreme Courts Rapid Transit Commission
OF Inquiry met again yesterday in the Home Life In
surance Building. No. 2j6 Broadway. The Com
mlsscners are Frederic r. Coudert G.. G. Sherman
and William II. Gelshenen. Edward NJ. Shepard
and Albert B. Boardman. counsel for the Rapid
Transit EOard, were present.
When the Commission adjourned Saturday Chief
Engineer William Il. Parsons, of the Rapid Transit
Board, the stand. He was being cross
examined by George Zabriske, who appears for
Henry Hilton, Austin Corbn. the Potter estate
and others. and his cross-examnation was con-
tinued when the proceedings were resumed yester
day.
Being asked by Mr.. Zabriskie If he proposed to
use wooden ties in the construction of the under
ground road Mr.. Parsons replied that he did not.
Il propose TO steel ties" he said. They will
cost three times a. much wooden ones. but they
are much better" Referring to the plans sub
mitted the witness said that they were not plans in
detail. but only prepared as Indicative of the road
that proposed to be constructed.
Mr.. Zabriskie asking the witness for more
specific norm ton regarding the detailed plans and
the changes they would contain not embraced in
the plans submitted. when Mr. Shepard objected.
The latter said that the detailed plans would first
be submitted to the Rapid Transit Board. and until
that had been done the present Commission had no
right TO pass upon the plans. Mr.. Zabriskie said
that his object was to get Mr. Parsonss idea as TO
the cost of a particular railroad and not alb
stract idea of no particular railroad. we think
that this road will sfOoO000cD and not 100000.
as stated" said Mr.. Zabrskie.
The objection ovcrruled. and at the request of
Mr. Shepard a note of his objection taken.
The witness then proceeded to describe of
the features of the detailed plans He said he in
tended that channel rails should be used and that
the roof Of the road should be composed of brick
and concrete. and not concrete alone. as had been
originally suggested. rail weighing about eighty
five pounds per yard would. he said. be the proper
IIa IN hall he
concrete.
Referring TO the lower end OF the first section of
the road Battery Park. Mr.. Zabriske asked "IIave
you estimated the weight which the roof of this
structure would support"
Il have. and estimated it at 200 pounds to the
square foot the reply
And is that also your estimate for Broadway"
was inquired
NO" said the witness. Il made two calculations
for Broadway. for the centre of the street and
the other for The sides of the street have CA
culated for 900 pounds TO the square foot for the
centre of the street and for 800 pounds TO the square
foot for the sides Of the street. That weight is In
addition the weight of the roof of the structure"
Asked 10 where If he was the contractor he
would begin work on the lower Broadway section
the witness said that he would make two excava-
tions-one at Bowling Green and the other at the
Postofice.
Referring TO the distractions likely TO be met
with In the construction of the lower Broadway
ton. the witness said he understood that both the
Board OF Public Works and the different gas
panies were anxious 10 put down larger pipes than
they have at present, and arrangements would be
made for this change as the work advanced
Asked as to what would be done with the steam
p.pes, the witness said that 1t was intended TO
carry them IN a separate chamber underneath the
roadbed.
The Commission adjourned until to-day at
o'clock
The motion which Judge Beekman, in the SUI
preme Court refused to hear one day last week on
the ground that he the father Of the law gov
erning the case. restrain Controller Fitch from
paying any money to the Rapid Transit Com
mission, Congressman Bartlett asserting that the
law unconstitutional, did not come up
pected yesterday N the Supreme Court BY
Sent of counsel on both sides 1t was decided that
The case shall be called on January 6.