The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-16
Rapid Transit Assured.

Kappa TRANSIT Assured.
We are less impatient with the reluct-
ance OF the smaller cities OF the country
to accept the lessons which they should
draw from the larger centers for the
making of public improvements. with
their tendency to experiment on pave
ments and boulevarding and other mat
tiers settled elsewhere long ago after
much research and expenditure, as we
see that the most populous and enlight-
ened communities fall into the same
mistake. New York city, after contro-
versy Of many years standing and the
most determined argument for and
against. has begun the construction OF
an underground or tunnel railway TO
supply the need of rapid transit. The
first earth has just been turned for the
commencement Of a system that Is TO
carry passengers from the Battery to
Harlem In fifteen minutes. Once inau-
gurated on the main line of transit, this
road will undoubtedly be connected by
branch tunnels with Brooklyn and Jer-
sey City, and the fearful congestion OF
travel that has rendered the elevated
roads as helpless as the surface roads
were before they came will become
thing OF unpleasant memory.
The strange feature OF IL is that. with
her dire need upon her. New York re-
fused for so long to consult the expert
ence of London. For more than ten
years a tunnel railroad has been in sue
cessful operation there. Even with the
imperfect development of electrical APP
planes at that time trains were OPP
Grated by electricity with perfect sue
cess. Waiting rooms were constructed
on the street level. which were no more
than huge elevators or lifts. At regular
intervals these descended 10 the grade
of the subterranean line and passengers
stepped on board the waiting train,
while those who left II at that station
were lifted swiftly and smoothly to the
upper street Yet with this object lesson
before them. the people of New York
have spent years In discussing the FEAST
bility OF underground transit. until the
total inability OF existing facilities or
any additions that could be made TO
them to accommodate the public need
at last forced action.
! In connection with this enterprise.
which will practically multiply the area
OF territory available for residence pur-
poses at the upper end of Manhattan
island. system Is under consideration
that viii be Of almost as much adyan-
tage to its people In another way. II is
proposed TO carry a pipe tunnel ada
cent 70 the roadway. great subway
In which can be placed all the conduits
used for the multitudinous services OF
the city. Water and gas mains and all
the inanity OF electric wires that make
network OF the earth beneath A eity's
streets, pneumatic tubes and steam
pipes, an may be placed in position
where they will be accessible readily
/ for repair or removal The comfort
added and the cost saved by making I,
unnecessary 60 keep street surfaces con
stsntiy torn up aud excavated cannot
be measured. As far as the railroad
itself IS concerned, the credit Of the city
stands behind Il, and Il viii become
eventually the peoples property.
The evolution q rapid transit with
the growth % population and business
In restricted area IS now wen de.
aned. II Is Of Interest TO the peop,. OF
city ike this. where the future viii
show an obvious need As surface thor.
oughfaros become inadequate. recourse
must be had to ways above and below
H. First comes the elevated road. which
is preferred because Of It's lesser cast OF
construction. although It Is far more
/ expensive TO operate and can never al.
prosch the speed limit possible On an
underground way. when the era OF the
metropolis comes. so that there is a
great stream Of through travel from
one city limit 20 another. real randi
transit seeks the lower strata. far IN.