New-York tribune., 1901-11-07
RAPID TRANSIT ABROAD.
SUBWAY PROMOTERS GAINED USEFUL
HINTS IN LONDON AND PARIS

The marty of men connected with the construc-
ton Of the rapid transit tunnel railroad who went
to Europe month ago TO inspect underground rail-
roads in Europe for the purpose OF studying lhe
traction part of the problem arrived here on the
steamer Oceanic yesterday. They were August
Belmont John B. Mcdonald. the contractor; T. g.
Bryan who il is said, will probably operate the
road: :. /. Deyo. the chief engineer; l. b. St-
well the electrical engineer, and John Van Nleeck
the mechanical essineer. William Barclay Par
sons the engineer OF the Rapid Transit Commits
sion. who went 10 Europe ahead OF the others
meeting them in London. also returned yesterday
on the steamer Columbia. Mr.. Belmont said after
he landed:
We made a full inspection OF the underground
systems in London and were accorded every posstI
bic facility and courtesy We found great deai
teresting- Neither the requirements nor the char,
acter Of the construction and equipment are parilel
ours, that direct comparison could possibly
be made. Nevertheless. there was much that was
nsrtmenf We have made an arrangement for a
full interchange OF details Of operation, coIlsfuC-
viii be inmeGiateiy inaugurated between ourselves
and the Lofdon companies, and maintained for the
From London We visited Paris. and made thor
ing the most courteous attention and were afforded
the fullest possible lnforraa ton We nave also
suits with the Paris underground The PARIS sys-
TEN is in some respects somewhat parallel TO ne IN
requirements Of what own local service VIII pc
and We found much that VIII be useful, as we dld
in London / do not think il would be courteous
for US. after our reception and treatment abroad
tc make comparisons. I will say. however. that
the people in New-York may expect the best un-
derground road in existence. so far as We can at
present judge
Mr. Mcdonald and myself returned to London
three four days before sailing. Messrs- Bryan,
Deyo Stiweil and Van Week visited Baden IN
Switzerland. inspect the steam turbine and cleo
tric works OF Brown BoYerie & Co, in order to see
what point Of progress had been reached in the
development of steam turbines as applied 10 cleo
Irical machinery. From Baden MI StIllWeH Pro-
ceeded Lecco Italy. to inspect an electric road
operated by the most modern Of the GanZ sys-
tens. 1t does bear directly upon our work, be-
not going to use II in the under
ground here. but the inspection was useful TO us as
indicating that have not overlooked anything
new that might be valuable. MesSrS. Bryan. Deyo
and Naa Week proceeded Berlin to inspect the
power houses and electrical equipment OF the
Algemene Electricians GeSellSchaft. and acquired
much useful information.
We all met again in London on Tuesday, the 18th,
viii be pushed with the greatest possible vigor.
MI Mcdonald can give you his own assurances OF
this.
Mr.. Mcdonald said:
The lines We inspected were different in char
London and that OF this city. In London the
trains stop at every station while here. where We
have four tracks. the express trains cover the
distance between the City Hall and Forty-s cond-
better. but the not Of the best, and Ameri
cans would stand for rickety Work
the road here Is progressing satisfactorily and
there viii he delay in finishing the work ac-
running the entire leugth-rwenty-on mes-two
years from now Every one connected with the
work is enthusiastic 10 get il done in time.
On last Saturday Mr.. Belmont pool on the
days Of the Oceanic, amounting to $3.50 He
bought the winning number for 81