New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-20
THAT UNION SQUARE TUNNEL JOB.

The Metropolitan Traction Company does
many things of which no satisfactory explana'
ton is offered or discOverablp, but its conduct
with reference 20 the deadly curve at Union
Square Ia particularly mysterious. Just now II
is supposed to be exceedingly anxious to acquire
the privilege OF Strengthening It's line by means
Of q tunnel under the Square. and has persuaded
the Railroad Committee Of the Board OF Alder
men to recommend that scheme 1t Is repre-
scented in behalf Of the company that the alter
native of slow cable would be cheerfuly
adopted. excepting for the acute congestion OF
the whole line which it would cause and the
consequent annoyance to passengers; but no.
body, we believe, has accepted that argument
for the simple reason that the rate Of speed Is
constantly diminished ut various points along
the line as necessity arises without producing
any such lamentable results. And yet. on the
other hand, why should the company be eager
to expend O very large amount of money on a
tunnel, when a comparatively small sum would
paw for the installation of a slow cable? Fur
thermore it Is an undoubted fact that the COM
pany means TO get rid Of its cables altogether
as soon as possible, whcreupon the mechanical
difficulty which ia now held TO he sufficient
excuse for slaughter and mutilaton will dlsap-
pear. 1t can scarcely be supposed. moreover,
that neil so experienced and sagacions az Mr.
vreeland and his colleagues really expect that
they will be permitted to appropriate consid-
cradle part of Union Square. What. then. are
they driving at? We confess that we do not
know. unless it be that thew are rather adroitly
endeavorng to keep public Indignation below
the boiling point by dropping into the cauldron
successive cool propositions suggestive Of
off m nd SHtfSfacfOrV
for a dangerous complaint.
Whatever the secret purposes OF the company
may be, it is certain that permission to run a
tunnel under Union Square ought never to be
granted TO give away park territory already
in possession while acquiring new parks at great
cost would be both wicked and ridiculous. Adj
vocates Of the plan talk as if the Broadway cars
could rise and sink vertically at the edges of
Union Square like an elevator in its shaft. where
as the fact Is that the necessary approaches to
a tunnel would extend far into the Square.
would occupy invaluable space and would he
hideous to behold while the tunnel itself in all
probability would kill the trees. II not the grass
and shrubs above IT, Moreover, there would
be DO means OF entering or leaving the cars for
distance Of several blocks. to the great in
convenience of passengers. On the whole. the
city could almost as well afford TO surrender all
that part Of the Square lying within the exist
ing curve. or at least tc grant the company
right OF way across the surface.
At yesterdays meeting Of the Aldermen the
Railroad Committee made a favorable report
upon this application for a tunnel. including
resolution recommending It TO the Park Commits
sioners with whom the decision fortunately
rests but objection was made to an immediate
vote and action was deferred. In the mean
time the Park Board will probably be urged to
grant the necessary permit. but 1t can safely be
assumed that the Park Board will do nothing
Of the sort. 1t IS not only bound but resolved
to protect the people in the possession and en-
toyment OF their most valuable property. and
we have no doubt will promptly and emphat
ically reject this audacons proposal.