New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-12
Mr.. ORR NOT DIa O TRACED.
HE CONSIDERS THE OUTLOOK FOR
RAPID TRANSIT GOOD.

HOPEFUL. THAT BIDDER WILL. DE FOUND
AND THE CONTRACT LET BEFORE THE
END OF THIS yEAR-THE PARK COM
MIssIoNERs EXPECTED TO RE-
VERSE THEIR ACTION.
Aiexa CIDER f.. Orr president OF the Rapid Transit
Commission. is not at all discouraged at the out
look for the carrying out of the plan TO which he
and mis- associates have given so much time and
study for a number of years. The obstacles which
the Commits sioners met with in the course OF
their work have been numerous. and at times they
have seemed insurmountable. This was especially
the Just after the adverse verdict rendered by
the General Term OF the Supreme Court on the re-
port OF tho special commissioners appointed TO de-
ternine the advisab ility of constructing railroad
under Broadway For a while II looked as II all
hope OF underground pid transit would have 10 he
given up. but the Commissioners soon rallied from
this crushing blow and with added experience went
TO work again new solution of the problem.
The completion OF that solution was in sight when.
Unexpectedly the Park Commissioners put new
obstruction in the way. II is hoped. however, that
those officials will be prevailed TO take differ
ent view of the matter; and in addition the hope is
entertained that favorable report will be made at
early day by the special commission which Is
now engaged in hearing arguments for and against
the proposed railroads: that the Appellate Division,
20 which that report is TO be presented will make
haste 10 confirm 81 that bidder for the franchise
will be found. and that the contract for the con-
struc..on and operation Of system of underground
roads will be executed before New-York City be
comes the Borough OF Manhattan.
Mr.. Orr was seen hts Office on Thursday by
Representative Of The Tribune who made some in
ouries as to the present prospects for rapid tran
cit Mr. Orr spoke freely and confidently on the
subject.
Il regard the prospect very good. he said,
and believe shall be able 70 make contract
for building system Of underground roads before
the end OF the year. OF course. We do not know
how much more time will be taken by the court
commissioners who inquiring into the matter
We have completed the testimony on our part, and
now the opponents of the plan are being heard.
There does not seem TO be a disposition to hasten
the matter but as TO that the Rapid Transit COM
missioners. Of course. have nothing TO say. Inc
court commission will present its report TO the APP
pellate Division. and hope the Court will not
take great dea, Of time in examining the matter
and reaching decision
GUIDED BY THE GENERAL TERN.
I'm making the plan under consideration we
have been guided By the objections TO the Broad
way plan laid down by the General Term when the
question was ,ased before it. and we believe that
We have avoided the things which led to the set
ting aside of the former plan. We have reason to
expect that the Appellate Division will pass on the
matter early in November. AS for the prospects or
securing d bidder for the franchise which we VIII
offer 1 can say that consider them good. and
We are very hopeful of being able 10 have the con-
tract awarded before the close Of the present city
administration
How about the action of the Park Commission
ers in Directing to your plan for going under Bat
terry Park was asked pou, Communication ba.
reversed its former position in surprising way
and it now calling on us 10 90 wnat w %an are ap
proved We are forbidden TO on with the detailed
plans, and vel the Park Commissioners wish 10 see
i tHs ae On that point We consulted Corporation
Counsel and he held that the law forbade US ito to
H ss on ohf having The construction OF under
ground between the city Hall and the Battery
though when frst agreed on the present scheme
the idea was to come down town only to the CITY
I'VE determined, however. TO give the Peep people
a aoaa If lU sSey RsneG t. stpuans
10 that effect, should be r,ade by majority of , the
erty on lower Broadway about s and 70
Sbss a is ss%a 'ss R B
sltnough it pays no taxes Inc Sf of tse prop
by iy the n question o. s the of
the underground system to the lower END Of Of, the
,hoss w Tas ssensuted that to road
the City Hall would tend to U build nc up adge
downtown, and the people both on Broadway ana
off OF Il, took the same view
MUCH TRAVEL ON LOWER BROADWAY
The amount Of travel near the lower end OF the
city IL large as have occasion TO notice whenever
I ~ up to the Office of the Rapid Transit Commits
eicn from my Office here in the Produce Exchange.
suppose many others have noticed the same
thing curious watch the movements OF
the people. When get on car out here' gen.
orally there half dozen, or perhaps eight or
ten, passengers aboard. But in the majority OF
cases by the time the car reaches the CITY han II
IL full and sometimes II is overcrowded, altnousl
almost every time some people have got on before
reaching that point. Now, it is obvious that the
lower part Of the underground road Will be an
important feeder for the road above the city Han
but IL people had to ride up TO the City Han IN
cable-car they would not be likely TO cnahee car
ard take the underground there. especially as the|
would have to pay second fare" H.
"In going down TO the lower end OF the city
is 1t necessary 10 go under Battery Park:
Certainly" was Mr.. Orrs answer, TOT the pan
is to make a loop there that trains may run
continuously the same tracks. But the PARK
will be injured to the smallest possible extent II
is really surprising that so few trees VIII nave 70
be interfered with. The underground road WI, WI,
make a loop at the Battery, and the trains will
start back uptown, either as LEGAL or express
trains without being switched There VIII, OF
course, be station near the ferries. Unui me
general plan has been approved we are not aple
to locate the stations but PTeSums that at there T
above the Battery will probably be out here close
by bowling Green; then there will be another.
should saw about at Exchange Place, where there
is q large amount Of business, and probably an
the large number of people who travel by the Ter
ries al the foot of Cortlandt and Liberty SITS Inc
. actual loo alton of the stations however Is 70 pe
decided hereafter. What We are hoping ror now Is
view of the question they recently passed on.