New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-08
TO CONFER ON RAPID TRANSIT.
MEETING BETWEEN THE MANHATTAN
DIRECTORS AND THE COMMISSION
LIKELY TO FOLLOW MR.
ORR'S LATEST LETTER.

The Extension Committee OF the Manhattan rail-
way company consisting Of George j. Gould. Rus
sell Sage. r. VI. Galloway and Marcellus Hartley.
met yesterday at noon for the purpose of discussing
the letter received from Alexander f. Orr on Sat
urday After the meeting II was said that the COM
mittee would make a report to the Board OF d.
rectors at to-days regular meeting. and that a
reply would be sent to the Commission this week.
II said that while definite action had been
taken with regard 10 the appointment Of commit
TO confer with the Commissioners conference
would undoubtedly be arranged
In his letter Mr. Orr adheres 10 the opinion ne
has already conveyed to Mr. Gould that while the
public would unques tonably be benefited IL extern
sons were built over West-st and northerly from
Third-ave at Northumberland seventy-seventh-st
10 Two-hundred- nd 1rstst. such extensions would
add nothing to the speed Of transit. Mr.. orr says
that az the public convenience would be considered
by the building OF crosstown line through 'ahaI-
St he personally favors the construction OF the
line but that the Board is prohibited by statute
from authorizing the erection OF an elevated road
across Broadway at any point below Thirty-third-
St The advisab billy OF applying 10 the Legislature
10 remove this limitation. Mr. Orr intimates. Is
under the serious consideration OF the Board Re
gardng the proposed additional tracks in West-st.
Mr. Orr reminds the railroad directors that the
New-York and New-Jersey Bridge COM
pany claims the exclusive right 70 conslderaole
part Of this proposed route. and that the Commits
sion appointed under the act Of 1880 laid out an
approach 70 the bridge extending over West-st
and other from Battery Place TO FIFTY
nlnth-st Regarding this claim. however. the Board
has not yet reached definite conclusion, and con-
sequently cannot express opinion upon the pro
posed West Side extension.
After abiding In detail TO the proposals Of the
Manhattan Company. Mr.. Orr remarks. THE Board
believes that while Of your propositions. II
carried out might prove OF marked convenience 10
the public they would not furnish faster transpor
tation unless the capacity OF your lines was IN
creased by the addition OF tracks. and grade cross
ngs were avoided" Mr.. orr then continues. the
first OF these conclusions seems TO be confirmed
by that portion OF your application which requests
thar power be granted TO construct four tracks
upon all OF YOUR present or proposed routes. and
that such tracks as may be added 10 your exist
Ing structure may be placed on. above. under o:
contiguous TO such route or routes . ,se
mite bv the BOARD because II docs not specify the
number OF tracks to be placed upon any pat,eu,todd
street nor the forms OF structure 70 oe ~ !
Al any given point and for the further reason that
II expressly Reserves to the company the LiSho u.
determine the time within which sucn auultlVilai;
tracks shall be constructed or whethet my uld.I
be constructed all TINS clearly hppfats han
the Manhattan Railway Company VII neg!n 10
construct. and will construct, such additional track
tracks from time To time as the traffc shall IN
the judgment Of the said company. require or de-
YOU 10 furnish a further written statement specify
ing the number % tracks to b. erected upon each
upon the same level or. II not how they are 10 be
placed and the total proposed width of such
structure. and that Won will also inform the Board
Of the period within which your plan contemplate
that such additional track or tracks shall be built
in each street"
Mr. Orr closes by asking for particulars as 10
the form Of structure be used. This question is
deemed OF the greatest Importance by the Board
since grade crossings are held TO be objectiona bic
BY f. and because II the crossings 10 be above
grade the new structure. # would appear. must
be built az a considers bic height.
Much regret was expressed yesterday by many
people that the Commission should consider for 4
moment the advisability Of applying 10 the Legis-
Canal-st