New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-01
THE MANHATTAN PROPOSALS.

Some new interest is impaired TO the rapid
transit situation by Mr.. GOulds letter to Mr..
Orr made public yesterday. II is fair 10 say
that this communication produces on the whole,
a pleasing impression OF candor and reason
ablcness, though IL makes no allUsiOn TO vari-
Gus important points, and contains AZ least one
proposition which the community Will be ex-
trelnely slow 10 accept IL is not, however, in
the nature Of an ultimatum, but explicitly IN
vlteS consultation with view 10 the adoption
Of some generally acceptable arrangement for
the extension and improvement Of the Manhat-
tan system. We have always believed that the
elevated roads could be made much more use
full 70 the city without any serious sacrifice OF
public Interests, and we welcome any indication
of a belief on the part Of the managers that
such a development would be profitable 10 the
corrpany That, in the words of Mr. Gould, the
adoption IN lis entirety Of the scheme now sub
United by him will solve the difficulties OF the
present rapid-transit situation, and for years
"to come provide all necessary accommodate
"for the travelling public" we do EOt believe.
Some parts Of this schcme-the WeSt-st line
connecting with the SiXth-aye. line at Thr-
feminist the Third-ave extension and the
con ,tr1lction OF additional tracks existing
routes-have already been tentatively approved
by ,be Rapid Transit Commission, and are not
likely 10 encounter much public opposition, pro-
vlded that the company abandons its previous
stipulation that II shall be protected against
Claims for damages. Aside from the legal dis
pute relating 10 the crossing Of Broadway, the
proprlety Of permitting a connecting Ink be-
tween the West Side lines and the City Hall
station to be built through Centre and Canal
SIS is more doubtful In view OF the fact that
the city has recently built great courthouse
on Cenrest. and Is about to put up & costly Hall
Of Records at the corner Of Centre and Cham
be.s SITS. il is necessary to consider with ex-
ceeding care how the use and value Of those
properties would be affected by the proposed
extension As 10 the legality OF the Broadway
crossing we frankly acknowledge that Mr.
Could's lawyers appear TO Us to make better
showing than the Commissions counsel have
made. As We have said before, the natural
meaning Of the words forbidding the consuuc-
ton Of an elevated railroad "on" Broadway
south OF Thirty third-st. is that such road
shall not be built along Broadway. though IT
is not impossible that the courts might assign
a different meaning to them. The lawyers Of
the Commission are INCLINED 10 think they
would while acknowledging We believe, that
this IS one Of the many questions arising under
the Rapid Transit act as 20 which one mans
opinion Is Just about as good IA anothers.
By far the most important Of the new roads
projected by the company Is that with which
II proposes 10 occupy the Boulevard from Seven
ty-frst-st 10 One-hundred and sixty -ninth-st. To
the use OF the Boulevard the Commission has
already demurred while promising 10 consider
the matter further, aad Mr. Gould therefore