New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08
RAPID TRANSIT PLANS APPROVED.

RAPID TRANSIT PLANS APPROVED.
Another chapter in long and tedious story
Is closed with the report OF the supreme Court
Commissioners in favor Of the plan OF under
ground railroads adopted by the Rapid Transit
Commission 1t is not the final chapter how
ever, for the court must accept or reject
the report and thereafter II the Commission Is
authorized to proceed. contractor to execute
the undertaking must i've found. II il probably
safe to assume that the court will adopt the con
illusions Of NJ. Coudert. Mr. Sherman and MIR.
Gclshenen and 1t certainly is not generally cx-
pected that the constitutional objection lately
submitted for judicial determination will be
sustained While therefore there is still some
uncertainty as 20 the legal status Of the project.
most persons feeling deep interest in the mat
ter will now look forward hopefully or other
wise to a practical beginning Of operations. 1t
IS. from our point of view. to be regretted that
this has been so long delayed; but yet the time
has been by no means wasted. The immense
work of preparing the plans has gone steadily
forward during the interval and If the task OF
construction is once begun II will proceed
rapidly
PERHAPS those whom the favorable report
Of the Commissioners painfully disappoints.
whether their opposition has proceeded from
considerations Of public policy or privat. in
terest will consider ii weak well as an
unsatisfactory document. The rest Of the pco-
pie. being as we believe a large majority. Will
praise il highly 1t seems TO Us n clear and con
elusive report. excellent alike in spirit and sub
stance /; certainly treats with entire respect
the adverse testimony and arguments which the
Commissioners patiently ard, and there is no
suggestion Of Partially or hasy Judgment about
it, Some dissatisfaction may be caused by their
refusal 10 20 outside Of certain well-dcfned
limits into an unlimited field Of conjecture, but
we think they justly construed their functions
I'm this respect, 1t is franl y conceded that In
dviduals will suffer temporary inconvenience
and loss, that valuable privileges under the sur
face must be surrendered in many cases without
probability Of recompense. and that expert opin-
ion Is divided as to the cost OF the work. Bu:
it is held that this is obviously ease in which
private interest mus, yield to public advantage,
and that the Rapid Transit Commission, having
large knowledge and full responsibility, is en-
titled to the chance Of subecting its calcua lions
and expectations to practical test. 1t is moi
certain that IA contractor will accept the fran
chise under safe and suitable conditions. but
the people have signifed by vote their approval
Of the law under which the Commission Is pro-
ceeding and ii should be allowed to put its
plans into execution If ii Is able TO do so.
Other elements in the case are fairly consid-
ered--the capacity Of the proposed system for
expansion 10 meet future requirements. the com
parative merits and disadvantages Of under
ground roads the probable large enhancement
Of property values in consequence Of improved
transportation facilities, the desirabilty Of
making permanent and convenient disposition
OF buried pipes and wires and the question Of
pecuniary returns from the operation Of the pro-
jected lines. Az the Commission says, the want
which the scheme under discussion is designed
TO supply is conceded and 1t Is oppressive. 1t
must become more and more so time goes on
and we are glad that the prospect OF relief Is
brought measuraby nearer by this report Its
honesty is unquestionable, and Its intrinsic
strength Is great