New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-19

OF which has just been opened for service. is an
entcrrrise Of more than local interest. The ne
cessity for some relief TO the crowded thorough
fares above it best be appreciated. OF course,
b. B0gtonians: but the Modern Athens Is b: no
means the only city in this country which Is
besot with problems OF the same character.
Those who ara familiar with the lay Of the
land in Boston remember that Tremont-st
in a generally north and south direction and
forms the eastern boundary OF the Common.
Ii is intersected by Boylston-s:., which const-
tutos the southern boundary OF that historic
park On the BOylstOn and fremont st edges
OF the Common there is broad promenade
known as the Mall. The main part Of the sub
way which is wide enough to accommodate four
tracks. passes under the Tremonts Mall. and
after passing under Park-st.. which lies along
the northern side Of the Common, extends Cor
will extend when completed to Scollay Square.
thence eastward to Adams Square and finally
up northward again to Iiaymarket Square
This terminus is close to the great union rail
way station at the North End.
From the corner OF fremont and Boyston SITS
there are two extensions, wide enough for only
double track. one runs westward under
Boy lston-s;. Mall for about 900 feet and then
asccndS an incline through an opcr cut for 3lS
feet The terminal station for this branch is
situated in the Public Gardens. The other
branch reaches away to the southwark. and on
nearing the junction OF Shawmut- ave. and Ire
nont-st, forks. separate two-track incline
leads up into each OF those streets.
Including tn" !nclines, the subway has total
length Of about a mile and n half, and will con-
tain about five miles Of track At present the
branches from the corner Of Beylston and Ire
mont SITS. and the main line up to Park-st. are
In operation. great deal of work has already
been done on tho northern portion Of the route,
and it is hoped that everythng will be finished
within the next eight months Ground was
broken for the subway in April 1895 twenty
nine months ago
The depth of this underground passageway is
II feet. The width is ~ feet for two tracks and
4S feet for four At intervals Of six feet along the
sides. steel posts are set up on good foundations
and from the tops Of those on one side there
reach across TO the tops of those on the other
steel roof beams. Where there are four tracks
there is central line OF posts in the tunnel in
addition to those along the sides From one
beam To the next tn. r. extends an arch ~
masonry. These successive arches. forming the
roof. are covered with concrete. and the same
material fills the space between tho posts along
the sides waterproof hacking OF asphalt as
sists in excluding from the subway water that
might otherwise leak In from the soil. The ma
sorry floor is followed. Ike an inverted arch
and along It's central line there runs drain At
intervals the drain discharges into a pit from
which, whenever the water rises 10 "A certain
level the contents are Withdrawn ~ automatic
ally controlled electric pumpq
Ventilation is effected by huge rotary fans
established in masonry chambers at three or four
points along the line The air IS sucked out Of
the subway and forced upward through the
rf.Pq q, low, -,
incandcscent electric lamps and scores Of arc
lights are disposed advantagcously along the in
terror. As electricity Is also employed FOR the
propulsion Of the which use the subway
there is no smoke To accumulate on tho ceilings
and no foul gases to offend the olfactory nerves
There is no reason why the place should not re-
main clean. sweet and bright for years
AT the underground stations. of course the
subway Is broadcncd. 4 high wire fence runs
lengthwIsc In the middle separating the two
northbound tracks from the two southhounI. /
The tracks Of each pair are Ciyldcd by what en- !
gincers call an island PLATFORM" say 80 feet /
wide. and 900 400 feet long Access can bc |
had 10 one platform from the other only by go |
Ing down low flight Of stairs and through a /
narrow but brightly illuminated passage under /
meath or else going UP to the street and crossing /
over.
The which through the tunnel or
binary trolley cars. but like many which trav-
erse other routes in the city. they are all con-
trollcd by one corporation, the West End Street
Railway Company, to which. by the way. the
subway has been leased 10y the Transit Commits
siOncrs. This fact partially explains some OF the
precautions taken at the stations There one