New-York tribune., 1904-10-24
THE SUBWAY'S HISTORY.
Work of Commissions, Failures,
Delays and Final Success.


The operation OF the completed subway in this
city fuIhls a hope for underground rapid transit
which began 10 take form in the public mind
about forty years ago il is the solution OF a
problem which has veXed the minds OF many Of
New-York's best citizens for about thirty years.
Until after the close OF the Civil War. the sur
face lines operated by horsepower, with several
stage lines sufficient for the transit needs OF
the public in the city. AS the city continued TO
grow and the congestion spread northward. how
ever The stages and horsecars became entirely tn
ADEQUATE. Some relief afforded for time by
the elevated roads but the cry for rapid transit
never was stiIled.
About forty years ago a company was formed to
construct a tunnel under Broadway. and a section
OF the tunnel actually bored from a point just
north OF Murray-st. 20 a point Warren-st.
That tunnel section is there yet, briclked up like
an empty sewer. although il never has been OF the
slightest for any purpose.
PNEUMATIC RAILWAY PLAN.
The original plan was 70 use the tunnel for a
uusuuaatic railway. having cars that would fit in
fhs tube like piston in locomotive cylinder. and
forcing the cars through the tube by pneumatic
pressure The idea OF electricity as motive power
for railway cars. avoiding steam and smoke in a
tunnsl. unheard OF then.
After the short section OF the tunnel IN Broad
way was completed. however. there were legal
ObstTucuonS which prevented the company from
proceeding. and there also change OF plan
a company that took over the tunnel obtained
charter for the operation Of a pneumatic tube for
parcels and there is belief that its charter right in
Broadway for that purpose would hold to-day IL the
company were in existence. Years later the Ar
cade Railroad Company formed with a plan to
enlarge and the Broadway tunnel for the trans
portation OF passengers, but the courts In decid-
ing injunction proceedings. held that the only right
given under the tunnel charter for the con
veyGnce OF packages.
AS early 1868 the New-York Central Under
ground Railway Company was Incorporated by
special act OF the legislature but nothing was ac-
couplished by the company. In 1872 Commodore
Vanderbilt and others organized the New-YorIc City
Rapid Transit Company, which Incorporated
with plan 70 build an underground road from the
city Hall, 10 connect with the Harlem Railroad at
lfty-ninth-st. but nothing was done by that
company.
The cost OF constructing an underground road
with private capital and paying damages to prop
erty owners along the way was regarded as the
great obstacle. The late Abranl S Hewitt urged
municipal ownership the solution Of the prob
lem IN 1854 and later when he was Mayor OF the
city his views were embodied in a bill which failed
70 receive support and did pass the legislature
LEGISLATION SOUGHT N 1883
The movement for an underground road in .he
city assumed new shape in 1859 when Mayor Grant
sent 10 the legislature bill give him power TO
name rapid transit commission OF five members
Of whom three must be residents Of the city TO
lay out a route for a rapid transit road. Under
the Mayors bill the commission would have had
power 10 select route independent Of the wishes
or consents OF the property owners along the way.
The bill defeated in the legislature after much
discussion and after several attempts TO amend it.
The revival Of the plan OF an arcade road in Broad
way being talked Of much al the time. arousing
much opposition among Broadway property owners
who thought they saw in the plan scheme 10
destroy their property.
Political considerations had something to do with
the defeat OF the Mayors bill. because IL wes de-
ciared that Tammany Hall was seeking 10 get con-
tFol of a commission which would have the power
10 condemn property for road from one end OF
me city 70 the other The extent OF Tammany
backmai and extortion in the city had not been
made plain then. and was not 10 be laid bare until
five years later by the LeXow committee. but
enough OF the organizations doings was known 10
make the business men Of the city suspicious OF
every bin emanating from Tammany official.
Al the same time men who were interested in
real estate IN that part OF the city north OF the
Harlem River clamoring FOR rapid transit.
Many other people were interested in rapid transit
plans. believing that the needs OF wage earners for
homes in the part Of the city which is now The
Bronx demanded recognition ana that the develop
ment q the Annexed District. IL ;hen was
known wss being delayed for want rapid transit,
while many thousands Of the city's workers were
hndtng cheaper homes in New-Jersey-
FIRST COMMISSION NAMED
The first Rapid Transit Commission-one that
really accomplished nothing-was appointed by
Mayor Grant on April 3. 1880 under the provisions
OF the Rapid Transit act Of 1876. This commission
consisted u August Belmont. Charles stewart
Smith. John y. starin. William steinway and Or
lando g. Potter
IS he law required the appointments were made
On the petition Of fifty reputable householders and
taxpayers OF the city and county OF New-York
signatures 10 the petition had been obtained by
'ohn d. Crimmins. VINO really started the move
inert among the members Of the Real Estate Ex-
ehshee Mr. Cgimmins had tried 20 interest Mayor
Grace IN the movement. but Mr.. Grace said he did
not care 70 take Il u2 in the closing days Ct his
administration.
Al lae tme the petition WAS presented 20 Mayor
sfsnt the idea OF an underground road had been
-olmeo' but there no thought OF an electric
'a'i"sy running in q subway The petition said:
ahese Is need IN the said city and county Of a
- liNay. or railways. wholly within the hLnIls
eltg Tor the transportation Of passensets'
s-9s &c ireight between the northery and soutn-
ir of the same that the present faelllIss
10y Tor rapid transit between the daiLefeLt
- tlereof are altogether inadequate 10 met
asl-nas % the people FOR speedy transportation
s'~ ~le above mentioned limits the cagsei|