New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
RELIEF FOR THE BROADWAY ROAD

RELIEF FOR THE BROADWAY ROAD.
PRESIDENT VREELAND Of THE EFFECT OF TIE
EQUIPMENT OF THE PARALLEL LINES.
r. n. Vreeland president OF the Metropolitan
Street Railway Company, takes an optimistic view
o. the future OF the Broadway lines. He believes
that the equipment of the parallel lines viii greatly
relieve the Broadway road and thus facilitate tra
nc over this greatly overcrowded branch OF the
company's system. He said yesterday TO Tribune
reporter when speaking Of the future work con-
templated on the company's lines:
we have already placed the order for the neces-
sarv supplies 10 equip the Eighth-ave. line below
Fif,v-ninth-st The work on this line will De begun
early in the spring. and be completed ~ The earliest
possible date. At the same time We shall equip
the sixth-ave line and then take up the line In
Njpth-ave Our experiment with the underground
trolley on the Madison-ave. line has been highly
satisfactory and feel that with the equipment
Of the other lines with this system OF mechanical
traction the Broadway lines will be greatly relieved
The new Madison-aye. line has already relieved the
Lexinrton-ave line and from present indications
the other lines thus equipped would put the Broad
yay branch In such condition that 1t could well
handle the traffic naturally belonging to 1t. Al
present IL is the only mechanical traction inc We
have that extends TO the lower part OF the city and
as a result passengers from all sections naturally
use II.
The Msdison-ave line should be completed 10 the
Pos;offce in the early part OF February There are
many complications In the matter OF the electrlcai
equipping Of this line that have delayed us in com
pleng the lower part OF Il from Astor Place 10 the
Postofice We have 10 cross other lines and this
requires more skill and labor than simply laying inc
conduits and stringing the necessary wires
The news that the Eghth-aYe line will be pushed
Onward early In inc spring will be welcome 70 the
many merchants in that avenue. who nave ions
peen asking for something better that 'he an
uquated hOrsecafs. -
President VTeeland did not discuss the changing n
OF the Broadway cable 20 the underground iIoIIc!
any further than 70 intimate that THIS wOuid nov
re considered until after the other lines Weie
equipped with the system He gave as tle reas5on
for this that any change In the BroaoWdy HIie
would he impossible until the other lines were ~
perfect running order. as II would mean, on account
a. the complicated electrical Work necessary me
shutting of OF all the lower end OF the city from
everything but the horsecar system.
Neither President Vreeland nor President Elias. o.
inc Thlrd-ave street railway, would make any com
rnent on the decision as 10 rapid transit Ihcy
likewise silent other matter, that OF IN
terchargcable transfers between the two companies
According 10 the rumor which gets strength from
the silence OF certain officers who have hitherto
,alked freely as well from the gossip OF the
subordins'es the old nght between The companies
with regard 10 the crosstown lines Is 20 be given up
u IL declared that least for the Eighteenth and
Elghth.st lines 4 system OF transfers between the
Two companies viii be arranged. and possibly on
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