New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-02
THE LATEST RAPID TRANSIT PA,

The rapid transit plan Professionally adopted
by the Commission is not unlikely to undergo
considerable alteration before franchise is put
on the market In his interesting analysis Of
the scheme Mr. Orr intimates that some differ
ence Of opinion exists among the Commission
ers, and cordially invites public discussion of
their latest attempt to solve a pressing and diff
cult problem. His report is further to be COM
mended for the frankness with which it points
out objections TO the route proposed, though
those objections do not seem to him quite so
serious as we are inclined to think they will
seem to a great number Of citizens. An earlier
plan. 1t will be remembered. was strongly con
demned by many residents Of the North Side on
the ground that it Disseminated against them
In favor of residents of the West Side. OF course,
no improper motive was imputed in that case.
and none is conceivable now: bat the fact re-
mains that a multitude Of persons living in the
populous region east of Central Park are pretty
sure to complain that their interests. though not
overlooked, are set aside. The Commission
acknowledges that. for the present at least these
people must continue TO depend on existing ia
cilites but justifes its decision TO lay out no
direct route on the East Side above Forty second
st. OIL the ground of necessity. 1t may be true
that the greatest good of the greatest number
can be best promoted. within the accepted lin
its Of expenditure. by West Side line only
between FOrty-secOnd and One-hundred-and-
fourth sts but we shall be much surprised if an
emphatic protest Is not made by citizens who
are thus left out Of present calculations, as well
as by those who are expected to go far to the
west in order ultimately to reach points on the
other side Of the city.
The report moreover, as IL seems 10 us. is not
entirely logical in contending with much force
that four tracks are necessary in order Is ac-
complish the main object of securing quick tran
SIT between the northerly and southerly parts
OF the city. and then providing for only two
tracks north of northumberland fourih-st We
are not In the least disposed 10 be capious. and
are quite ready to agree with the Commission
that original deficiencies not only could he. but
almost certainly would be- supplied after brief
practical experience OF the benefits to be de-
rived from such system as it Is now deemed
feasible 10 undertake. But ii is desirable TO
consider with the greatest care the just claims
OF ali sections Of tile city. inasmuch as all the
peoric have q financial stake In the enterprise:
? nd above all. TO make sure that work once done
and discomfort once endured shall not have TO
ne done and endured over again through lack
IF foresight The addition of new route would
cause no greater annoyance than II 1t had been
nc,uded IN the original scheme Of construction.
but the expansion OF route once opened for !
rafflc might impose unnecessary sacrifices.
The Commission. we regret 10 say. still Oms |
10 explain why the suggestion OF deep tunnel
has been rejected. seemingly with /
nut any consideration Of its many apparent adj
rantages If that proposal has been thoroughly /
lIscussed. and discarded for good reason, many
.ltizens would be glad TO be so Informed. II has
,iways seemed to us an unwarran,ed and, in
Iced. an absurd assumption. that whereas peO-
BE In general would accept with rapture the
privilege Of descending n certain distance below
he surface 10 a swift train In light, clean and