New-York tribune., 1902-12-06
THE CENTRAES PLANS.

Official examinations of the NeW-1ofk Zen
trails tunnel and terminal Improvement pau
clear I'D some important details which the COM
nanv's formal statement TO the BOARD. OF Esli-
mate left obscure. It is now authofitau'ey
onnounced for example that extensive altera-
tions in the Grand Central Station anu uain
shed are included in the proposals submitted on
Thursday. and that the company is Wiling TO
establish direct connection with the sub
way system at Forty-second-st. The stauon
changes will amount to a veritable transforms
tiou. The waiting room. stretching from VAN
derbiIt-ave to Depew Place VIII have twice lts
nresent capacty and the conconrse between
the waiting room and the gateways TO the trains
will be correspondingly enlarged These exten-
sions will be made possible by new arrange
ment for handling baggage and ACCOMMODATING
the cab service an upper floor tbulit at a suit
able height above the depressed racks}. TO
which stems will lead from the concourse, and
driveways will run from Forty-hftn-st NOT
only will the available space in the station be
increased by this means. but public convenience
will be served and the congestion OF trarf1c IN
Forty -second-st. will be considerably relieved
There is good reason to believe that II these
designs are carried out they will convert the
Grand Central into one of the most commodious
railroad stations in the world
a
ordnated in the eompany's proposals and which
still seems not to be generally understood is in
reality of special interest and importance OF
the new tracks which the company plans to lay
under the roadways of Park-ave. the outer one
on each side will be gradually depressed from
a point near Fiftieth-st. below the grade Of the
other tracks. and. running under the Grand
Central Station, will connect with the express
tracks of the subway roads. 1t is probable that
most of those who have noted this proposition
suppose that the intention IS merely 10 give sub
urban passengers the benefit of easy transfer 10
and from the underground rapid transit trains.
but the fact is that an actual traffic connection
is contemplated. That arrangement might IN
volre some rather perplexing problems but II
is believed to be practicable. Provision must
be made for the sale of suburban tickets at
subway stations. but only at express stations,
which will be few. 1t is evident also that large
and heavy cars of the type now in use on
steam roads cannot run through the subways,
but that TO whatever extent the suburban traffic
is thus handled cars Of the subway type will
have to be used for that purpose. Schedules
must also be adjusted so not to interfere
with the natural operation of the subway sys-
tem and doubtless other complications will pre-
sent themselves. But in fact all the details re-
main to be worked out after the essential condi-
ton of track depression along Park-ave. has
been secured. In the mean time the prospect
of swift transit without change OF cars from
the lower end of Manhattan, or, indeed, from
the further limits of Brooklyn TO points far be-
yond the Harlem is not without strong attrac
tons.
Further examination Of the Centrai's pro-
posals strengthens the impression that they are
far sighted and liberal. Having determined no
doubt from considerations of obligation as well
as of advantage. TO undertake the work Of ter
minal improvement on a large scale II en-
powered to do so. the company has gone much
beyond the demands Of property owners and
the stipulations which the municipality was ex-
pected TO make. 1t is deserving of credit for
taking so broad a view of the subject, and the
local authorities should continue the negotia-
ton in the same spirit. So far at least the
plans relate to Park-ave. and the terminal, the
company asks nothing that appears to be IN
reasonable. Certainly the city, not the rail-
road, ought to bear the expense Of connecting
its own streets over the cut.