New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-04
CONGESTION in 23RD ST.
SHbvCay or MOUing Platforms Neces~
Sary, Merchants Declare.

That the merchants doing business IN Ease
and West 2Sd-st- are not only willing but anx-
ious to have a crosstOWn subway IN that busy
thOrOughfare Is evident from many favorable
expressions Of opinion gathered at random yes
terday. All agree that any underground means
OF transportation would serve to relieve the con-
gested state Of the street. especially between
Lexington and Eighth aves.. in what Is known
the shopping district. Some are IN favor Of
the regular train service in a subway similar
90 that now running north and south. but the
majority seem to think that a moving Sidewalk
with no stations. would afford the best relief
so that passengers could alight IN the middle OF
blocks at the basement story OF any store they
wished 70 visit
Life Insurance Company. which has some four
thousand employees IN its big building. sAla
that his company was in favor OF any RAPID
transit scheme that would furnish additional
facilities for the great throng Of people who
crowded the surface cars many times beyond
their normal capacity The moving sidewalk
plan. he thought. would be the best. because OF
the greater facility with which the people could
be handled
J. r. Schmizer. OF Meyrowitz q Co, sala that
II the proposed erOsstOwn subway were con-
nected with the present one II would be a good
means Of transportation. but that express trains
ought to stop at the present 23d-st. station. for
even the locals did not always stop there now
The moving sidewalk. he thought. would Be
more convenient and less dangerous than any
other plan, for then there would be no need o.
stations, with the sidewalks running both ways
at different speeds. The blocks between Lax
ington-ave and 6th-ave.. he thought. would al
ways DO a business centre OF Manhattan.
H. H. Fuller. representing the owners Of ths
Fuller Flatiron) Building and the Mercantile
Building at 23d-st and 4th-ave.. which to-
gether house more than three thousand persons
daily was OF the opinion that crOsstown sub
way would greatly benefit all those doing bust
ness IN that neighbOrhOcd- The trafio there
had greatly increased, he said since the pres
ent subway was completed IL underground
stories to the present buildings could be con-
structed the moving sidewalk plan would be oy
| far the best means Of transportation
| J. Mansfield representing Enrich Brothers.
said that his firm had always been in favor or
a crosstown subway. because OF the great num-
Der Of persons coming into the CITY Dy ne to.-
| ries on the East and West sides. There was no
/ question, he said. about its being conVenlence
and a benefit to the shoppers. but ne thOugnC a
/ railway like the present subway, with statlonS
/ at every second avenue, would be the best means
Of TRANSPORTATION. that persons would Jhen
have only one block to walk in either direction
A H Cosden, of RikeT's. at 6th-ave. and 30
st. said there had always been more IraVel II
the street than the cars could accommodates ana
that any additional facilities would De welcomed
bv the public This is a shopping district.
said he "and the shoppers should be accommo-
dated
1 r Lesch. representing the Berlin Photo
| graphic Company. said that crosstown sub
| way would certainly help every business man IN
i the street. and that the moving sidewalk plan
was the best one