New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-09
PETITION TO THE R. T. BOARD.
EAST SIDE PROPERTY OWNERS TO ASK FOR PROMPT
ACTION ON SUBWAY EXTENSION.


congestion of traffic. Accordingly. the commits
stoners were compelled to turn away, and plans
were drawn for the subway in Fourth-ave. and
Elm-st
The attitude Of property owners along Broad
way toward the construction of underground
railroad In front of their buildings Is foreibiy
indicated IN the following resolution, which was
passed at a meeting held In the Potter Build
ing or November a. 1898:
Resolved That while the property owners
present are in favor of a proper system Of rapid
transit they DO object to and oppose the con-
struction Of said railroad proposed"
A committee was then appointed to report the
action of the property owners to the Rapid
Transit Commissioners. This committee was
headed by the late Austin Corbin.
Since that time It is believed that the prop
erty owners in middle Broadway have with
drawn their opposition 10 great extent ana
will welcome the Improvement which Mr. NC
Donald has outlined in The Tribune. The bless
ings which the underground railroad will ulti-
mately bring. IN spite Of temporary inconven-
ience and risk of injury to property. are now
looked upon as so great that those parts of the
city which have been left out Of the present
scheme are now eager for some part Of this inn
provement.
BROOKLYN EXTENSION NOT FOUGHT
Such a revolution In the attitude of the Broad
way property owners is clearly evidenced in the
Willingness Of the persons owning real estate in
lower Broadway to permit the construction
there OF the rapid transit extension to Brook
lyn. The opposition which was shown ny the
courts has also been withdrawn, for although
they ruled against the construction of a subway
in Broadway north of Fourteenth-st. because Of
the danger to buildings, no action has been
taken to hinder the subway in lower Broadway,
where the buildings are higher and more costly
Mr. McDonald's argument that such Broad
way link would reduce the time Of the express
service to Harlem and The Bronx has awakened
considerable discussion among the residents of
the upper part of the city, who VIII be most
affected A casual glance at the map is enough
to show that the present route is considerably
shortened by running up Broadway from Union
Square to Long Acre Square, inasmuch as this
would straghten out the present elbow in the
route north in Fourth ave. and west in Forty
second st The Broadway link would also get
rid of two curves, and ii is estimated that
trains bound from the City Hall to Harlem
would reach their destination three or four min
utes quicker by the route in Broadway Mr.
Mcdonald still further emphasized the need of
this link in the present system ny saying yes
terday:
1T may fairly be stated that in a few years
after the completion of the rapid transit sub
way the congestion of traffic south of Forty
second-st. will be great as 1t is now Keller
can be had by constructing line along Broad
way between the Forty -second-st. and Four
teenth-st stations of the subway, and this
should not be postponed.
Mt orr president of the Rapid Transit Com
mission said in regard to the Broadway plan
1.-THE broadway link between Fourteenth-s ST
and Forty-second- st. is vital one, in my mind.
and the railroad ought to have been laid there
The oppostion of property owners, however
nrevented such a plan. Nevertheless. | believe
that # will be constructed in time. After the
prasent system has once been put into operation.
ba shown
rise in real estate and the increase of population
or Of business such opposition will to a great
extend subside I believe.
OPPOSED AT FIRST
Charles Stewart Smith another member of
the Rapid Transit Commission in speaking of
the history of rapid transit in its early days.
said
'The first result of projected movement in
the way of better transportation facilities in
this city has always been the opposition of
shortsighted property owners. When the ele-
waited road In Greenwich-st. was proposed 1t
was fought, because of the alleged destruction
and depreciation of property along the line of
the railroad. Exactly the reverse of these snis-
ter expectations resulted The elevated railroad
has been a great boon to the residents of New
York and of great financial value to the city, in
largely increasing its and amount of taxa
bic property 1t caused Sixth-ave. for example,
streets in the city. and 1t has increased the
value of lots in that avenue more than five
times
TRANSFORMATIONS PINNACLE
Is reached in the Pennsylvania Limited between