New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-14

EFT is my opinion that It would be wise for the
Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners TO I'M
mediately take up the subject OF an East oioe
subway, to prepare plans. give puDNc hetiiliisS
and have the improvement so we'll In mana ny
the time the city is ready to undertake 'he
work that it can be completed without oeias'
The board should take the people into its con-
fdence and find out what they want. H. as
there seems to be abundant evidence, the peo-
pie want an East Side subway, the demands OF
the neonle should receive a willing ear and their
wishes as far as possible should be acceded to
In this city and in this age the most success
full men take time by the forelock. 1t should De
as true in municipal undertakings as in those
of everyday business
In these words Albert B. Boardman' couhsel
of the Rapid Transit Commission, yesterday
stamped The Tribunes proposition for an East
Side subway with his approval. Mr. Boardman
went on to say that he welcomed the efforts 10
bring the East Side rapid transit problem 10 the
front at this time and believed that the hour
was ripe for a thorough discussion of its many
ramifications The history of rapid transit lie
said showed that the time consumed in paving
the way for an improvement always exceeded
the period in which the actual work OF construc-
ton was accomplished. Early action on the
part of the commission, in his mind would not
only save the city money in the cost of con-
StruCtlOn, DuI WOulu diSo Gil iSi 'hS i''NN
by stimulating real estate improvements along
the route, thus causing a natural rise IN the
assessa BILE value of property for many miles
WHAT RAPID TRANSIT BOARD CAN DO.
There nave been idle and false rumors
abroad" continued Mr.. Boardman. that the
Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners is
planning and carrying into execution system
of rapid transit for this city the details or
which our citizens were not permitted TO know
Such stories got aioat, no doubt. because OF the
fact that the board has held some meetings In
executive session, and has excluded therefrona
representatives of the press and others not
directly identified with the board. Such an I'M
preston is unfortunate it is absurd. and L
believe that the commission would be able 10
overcome wholly such an idea II 1t would now
take the people into it's confidence and lend
willing ear to their demands for subway to
the east of Central Park. Let the whole matter
be thrashed out and for all time The East
Side subway is an absolute necessity, so let us
begin now and thereby hasten the time when
such branch of the rapid transit system Will
be a certainty.
las The Tribune pointed out. there is no need
for the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners
TO wait until the city authorities assure them
that the city is able within it's debt limit to issue
bonds for this improvement. The preliminary
steps which it take are these:
FirstLTo authorize survey.
SfG@adTa" ThiSGdTa heIs Prspnnf pnnblts Hearings.
Fourth-To decide which i. the most FEAST
Fifth-To adopt plans after I, detsrminins
the cost s Of or the city
seVenthETo obtain consent of the property
EirhtI-To authorize condemnation pro-
ccedings where consent cannot be obtained
"Au these steps can be taken before the con-
tract is advertised and let and before the city
binds Itself to the issuance Of bonds. 1 have no
doubt that such an undertaking the East
Side subway will demand two years for the con-
sideration and disposition of all these necessary
preliminaries By that time l see no reason why
the CITY will not be able to take up the work
and push it to completion. Thus, 1t Is clear that
If the Rapid Transit Commission takes up the
work preparatory to the construction or an
East Side subway, the operation of such road
will be assured to the public two years earlier
than by deiay at this time. If, the other
hand the city is not able two years from now to
start the work of excavation, the Improvement
will be ali ready TO begin when the city can
issue the bonds Furthermore an early consld-
Grafton Of the subject assures Ii more thorough
consideration of it's manifold details wider
range of public opinion can be obtained Ihere
will be fewer chances of mistaken judgment
Such a procedure in my way of thinking, is far
better than to wait until the undertaking can
be begun and then rush through the prelimi-
nares without the mature deliberation which
an earlier start would have made possible.
THE only solution of the rapid transit prob
lem in this city is the tunnel. 1here can De no
question about that. The plan that has already
been adopted by the Board of Rapid Transit
Commissioners admitted by all concerned
to be tentative. and to meet the requirements
of only a part of the vast population of the
greater city.
REAL ESTATE TO BE CONSIDERED.
Accordingly plans were made and adopted for
an extension of the line to Brooklyn, and this
enlargement of the initial plan is assured. mas
much as the consents obtained and the city
stands ready to issue the requisite amount OF
bonds.
with the Brooklyn extension assured as far
as the determination of the route and the credit
of the city are concerned the next step is the
East Side branch. No one deny that the