New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-08

ington-ave. It's northern end should connect
with the eastern branch of the present rapid
transit road at One hundred and -fOrty-nnth-st.
and Third-aye.. and its lower connection with
the main line should be either at Forty-second-
st. or Fourteenth-st. Mr. Mcdonald said that If
Il subway were built in Broadway from Union
Square 20 Long Acre Square which would per-
NIT the operation of subway trains through
such a connecting link. thereby economizing
time In the Harlem and Bronx express service.
he would recommend that the East Side subway
connect with the main line at Forty-second-st.
and Park-ave. IT. the other hand, authority
build Broadway subway could not be OBJ
tained Mr. Mcdonald would recommend that
the East Side subway extend far south as
Union Square, passing under GramerCy Park
and through Irving Place. Such a connection
would relieve the congestion which would 9TH
ervise arise at the Grand Central Station in
case both East and West Side trains run
northward on the same tracks far this
point.
READY TO BID ON 1T.
After connp1entng the fact that the traffic
of a subway the east of Central Park would
no exceedingly heavy and eventually prove
rich asset to ths city Mr.. Mcdonald made the
important statement that he would bid for the
construction Of such an extension if the con-
tract drawn the same lines that for
the present subway route Since it has been con-
cedpd ny all the interests involved in the execu-
tion of the present rapid transit scheme that
after all it is Mr. Mcdonald who holds the
key to the construction of any extension Of the
system the announcement Of the contractor
that he favors an East Side route and stands
ready to bid for the work is of the most far
reaching importance. In order to secure a har-
monious operation of an East Side route in con-
junction with the main line il is clear that the
same interests should build and operate both.
Mr.. Mcdonald Furthermore emphasized the
point which has been made by The Tribune
from the beginning. that all the preliminary
work should be done at once. that when the
city is able to pay for the building of the road
construction may begin without delay. AC-
cordingly. he said the Rapid Transit Commits
sion should authorize as soon as possible in
vestIgations by it's engineers. from which care
full estimates and plans could be prepared and
which the consent of property owners could
be obtained Serious delay he added. had al
ready occurred in beginning the construction
of the line from the City Hall to Brooklyn al
though it fully authorized.
The question of an East Side subway should
he taken up and thoroughly thrashed out" con-
tinued Mr.. Mcdonald. Now is the time for
discussion. so that there will be no delay. An
East Side subway is an absolute necessity. and
as long as action is postponed IN regard 10 II
the best interests Of the city are suffering
am heartily in favor of what The Tribune has
done to bring this subject before the public and
invite general discussion.
ALWAYS IN FAVOR OF IT
From the very beginning / have been in
favor of East Side branch of the subway. for
L saw the need of rapid transit in this greatly
congested part Of the city. The present system
as a matter of fact is not complete without
such branch. which. in my opinion. should
consist of three tracks to offer these peo-
pie the fastest kind OF an express service.
''Au that is necessary to show the demand
for rapid transit east of Central Park is to
compare the population in this part of the city
with that on the West Side. Such compari-
son has already been made in The Tribune. and
il has shown that above Forty-secOnd-st. the
people without rapid transit facilities are nearly
two hundred thousand in excess of those who
will be benefited by the present Improvement
The preponderance of travel on the elevated
and surface lines of the East Side as has also
been shown in The Tribune. at once demon
strates the great earning capacity which such
ar East Side branch would possess And as the
road would eventually pass into the possession
of the CITY the revenue which would then flow
into the public treasury would be enormous
If the contract be let on the terms as the
present contract the city would not be out a
single cent but would simply extend its credit
for the time being.
II understand that the city would not be able