New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-03
FIRST, LEXINGTON,

The extension Of the rapid transit system III
Manhattan and The Bronx by an East slue 'uii
mel is already engaging the Afternoon VI
RAND Transit Commission. No formal action
to establish a route for such tunnel mas oeeIi
taken yet, of course. and the discussion OF Tue
subject has not reached point where dHec-
lions have been given TO the engineers to pre-
rare tentative plans There are many Things 10
be thought out. explained and agreed on ooio'
the commission can give the 1nstfuct'ohS W 'iio
engineers to go ahead with plans. Ii Can y"
said however that preliminary studying or the
situation is in progress
The Ranid Transit Commission holds the view
that 1t was appointed to increase facihties VI
travel in the city in those ways most to the in
terests Of the city. In its view of the situd'ioi
there should not be unnecessary invasion OF ter
ri+orv that Is adequately served by existing rail-
roads or which can be served sufficiently II the
railroad companies can be induced TO eAtehu
and improve their lines In studying inc A
Side OF Manhattan. therefore, the Kappa TRANSIT
Commissioners are expected to regard Secohu
ave and Thrd-ave. as unsuitable avenues i
extensions of the rapid transit subway sse'ein'
In second-ave. and in Thrd-ave. there are eie-
waited roads, controlled by the Manhattan Raii-
yav Company and electrical surface lines con-
trolled by the Metropolitan Street Railway Com
pany. 1t is believed that these two po"eiiu.
cornnanies can meet all the requirements o.
travel ir both avenues.
Leaving out the two avenues mentioned the
commission will consider the advantages Oh
routes along First-ave., LeXington-ave., Maoi-
son-ave. and Fifth-ave. 1t is not to be expected
that subway would run under the Park-aVe.
tunnel.
The invasion Of Fifth-ave by a subway would
be regarded by many persons as a mls1or luiie'
but there has been some thought of running the
CT and running it partly under the east border
of Central Park so as to escape tearing up any
of the pavement in the avenue In 'ne ulscua
sion of this route, however, II mas oeeh s''N
that the subway would supply tacllltles io'
travel only TO people coming from one side OF
it the travel from the park side being resarued
as insignificant.
First-ave. is regarded by some as too far east
for A subway. route by First-ave., however
would be the most direct connection between
the New East River Bridge and the popuions
lower East Side at the south end of the line ana
the Willis Avenue Bridge al the north end OF
the avenue. The subway in the avenue VIII De
continued under the Harlem River and into Inc
Bronx of course. and there is large section
of The Bronx lying northeast of the Wills
Avenue Bridge. IT is expected too, that thH
Port Chester road will connect with the Willis
Avenue Bridge. Some members of the commits
sion however, are expected to oppose the First
ave. route The ground that 1t is too near the
East River.
FAVOR LEXINGTON AND MADISON AYES.
Lexington and Madison aves.. It may he said.
are the routes most in favor with members or
the commission. Both avenues extend through
section of the city which requires increased |
facilities of travel, They reach the Harlem
River at points where extensions of the sub
NTH le
future on behalf of Madison-ave. it is said
that il is most in need Of increased facilities for
travel and that a subway along that avenue !
would be Of great benefit to the people Of Fifth
ave For the Lexington ave route 1t is SAID |
that it would give relief 10 a larger district and
that it could be made to connect more easily |
with the lower East Side. 1t is not impossible |
that subways in both Lexington-ave and Mad |
ison-ave. may be recommended for the future
The engineers of the Rapid Transit Commits |
sion probab bly, would be in favor of extension |
Of the subway up Lexington-ave. at first The |
extension would be considered part OF the |
central system rather than an East Side sys-
tenn and at first it would be constructed en- |
tirely north of Forty -second-st.. going into an
eastern section of The Bronx. An extension |
down the avenue south Of Forty -second-st., en-
gineers have said, could be made at any time to
meet demands OF the people of the lower East
Side and of the people crossing the new bridges !
from Brooklyn.
A subway connection between the new bridges, |
when they are completed. and the Borough of
The Bronx will be Of the needs of the
future That such connection should be made
by subway lying as far to the east in Man
haitian as practicable is a contention of
gineers who have studied the situation. Such
considerations are much in favor of the Lex
ington-ave. route. if the Firstave. route is to
be regarded as unavailable.
The building Of a four track electrical road 20
connect the Wiliis-ave. bridge at its end in
The Bronx with Port Chester is of the pos
sibilities that may have much weight with the
Repid Transit Commission and its engineers in
solving the problem Of route for an East Side
subway. The route of the Port Chester road
has been surveyed, and abundant capital to
build the road is said be available. Officers
of the railroad company have declared that the
building of the road will be begun
the State Railroad Commissioners pass favora-
bly, on the application for a franchise. The |
application has been before the commissioners
for many months. There have been several
hearings some of them continued through sew
eral days. Rival railroad companies which OPP
posed the granting of the franchise at first
have practically withdrawn opposition. Prop
erty owners of Westchester County have de-
clared in favor OF the new road Still the com
rnissioners have waited, neither granting the
application nor refusing to grant it. The delay
has been surprising to many people.
While members OF the Rapid Transit Commits
sion that extension of the tunnel
system in the city will be needed in the
future they feel that there should he the fullest
possible consideration OF routes before any
ton is taken. The interests of the whole city