New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-15
THINKS THE TIME IS RIPE.
GOODMAN WOULD EXEMPT RaflD
TRANSIT FROM DEBT LIMIT.
A H. ALLEN SAYS THAT THE EAST SIDE
SUBWAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN
BUILT FIRST

Elias Goodman, the alderman from the
XXXIIId District. who is generally regarded as
the leader of the fusionists in the Board or
Aldermen said yesterday that he heartily IN
dorsed the proposition. set forth by the 1rlo-
une that the Board Of Rapid Transit Comlrls-
sfoners Immediately take up the subject OF an
East Side subway. He added:
The time is ripe for the Rapid Transit COM
mission to authorize survey of the East sue
to determine where such an East Side route
should be built and by means of pubic near
ings to learn what are the demands OF the
people in this part Of the city. Although am
"A resident of the West Side. that is west oi
Fiftb-aye nevertheless I realize the great need
Of rapid transit in that greatly congested ols-
trict to the east of this thoroughfare. The pres
ont route with branches through Washington
Heights and Ienox ave Is a West Side road
The debt limit bugaboo should not stand In
the way Of the Board of Rapid Transit Com
missioners at this time TO prevent thelh iIoiii
taking the necessary steps preliminary 10 'ne
construction of an East Side branch or the
rapid transit system. That such brahch iluS'
he buiIt sooner or later Is conceded by every
body For the Rapid Transit COMMISSION 10
take up the subject at this time, to authorize d
survey, to give hearings and to take the o'her
necessary steps which have been pointed out by
A Is.
Transit Commission will hasten the time
when the blessings of rapid transit can be
enjoyed by the people of the East Side as
they soon will be by the population to the west
Of Fifth-ave
The East Side branch. / understand. Will not
cost SO much as the present route to the west
of Central Park. but do not think that we
should consider this merely as a question OF
dollars and cents. Even If such an East Side
subway should cost So, 100000 more, that
should be no reason why this Improvement
should not be undertaken by the city. hoic
that If the people OF the West Side are en-
titled to an outlay of $:55OO0ooc as is contem-
plated in the plan being carried into eXecu-
ton their fellow citizens the opposite side
Of the city are Just as much deserving Of such
an outlay of money.
Because of the cry. that always goes up In
the face Of a proposition for an extension or the
rapid transit system, that the city cannot I'M
dertake the Improvement because of the DEBT
limit I believe that there ought TO be proper
legislation which will overcome the restrlo-
lions of the debt limit in reference to rapid
transit improvements. l hold this beilei lo'
the reason that the city. in undertaking suCh
an Improvement as the proposed East Side sub
way does not actually spend its money, but
simply extends it's credit. The interest on the
bonds IS paid by the contractor. and the city
eventually falls the successor. of a priceless
asset without the actual expenditure OF
dollar think therefore. that rapid transit
improvements should be exempted from the re-
strictions of the debt limit. Such legislation Will
have to come from Albany. In the mean time
however. the Board of Rapid Transit Commits
sioners should push the preliminary work"
Augustus H Allen. Of the law firm OF Allen
& Talmage, No. 800 Broadway. writes to The
Tribune as follows:
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The movement for an East Side branch OF
the rapid transit subway which is being ably
advocated by The Tribune Is worthy OF all praise
and l am only too glad TO incose my name IN Jus
favor.
Upon the principle that great public work
ought to be upon the lines which tend to the
greatest good the greatest number. the rapid
transit system should have been first constructed
the East Side. where the population ALREADY -;
and the upper West Side should have waited until
the people got there; but since II is too late 10 dis
cuss- that feature. IT remains to insist mat ne
great East Side" with it's teeming masses shall
be accommodate ted with little delay as possible
The island of Manhattan above Eighty-sixt st.
and west Of Sixth-ave. will never have even
small fraction OF the numerical population that
rertlv northward in The Bronx. Those having
farms and vacant lots on the West Side for sale
certainly should have their due share Of consid-
Grafton but before the people on the East Side
accommodated.
Now let the wrong be Tighted even though late
Bedford Park. April p, 1902.
A meeting of the Harlem Board OF Commerce
was to have been held last evening to take ac-
ton on the East Side tunnel. but 1t was post
poned on account of the death of Sas C. Croft.
who was a prominent member. The board OF
directors met last week and drew up resolutions
were TO have been presented for ratification last
night.