The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-19
sU nwAY pLASs BooM REALTY.
Significance of ths Contracts for -Four
New Routes soon to he Awarded.

Comment was made yesterday on the
fact that although two business days had
elapsed since tho action OF the Board 81
Estimate and Apportionment in granting
the city's consent to the building OF four
new rapid transit routes on the island OF
Manhattan, and the adoption Of a tunnel
plan, by means of which the residents OF
Queens and upper Kings are to be landed
at Herald Square, In the heart Of the dry
goods and amusement district, no atten-
ton seemed TO have been paid 10 1t by finan-
cial onlooksrs.
Probably no more important step was
ever taken by a great municipality con-
corning the transit facilities OF its citizens.
and surely no municipal undertaking OF
any kind Whatsoever is comparable to 1t
In the dollars and human units involved.
BY the vote Of that board, to which 20
little attention has been paid, the first i'm
portant and irrevocable step was taken
by which the city. through Its constituted
authorities, gave its consent to the con-
struction OF about $500, 900, 600 worth Of
work on the island OF Manhattan alone
and the employment OF about 10000 men.
The further steps intervening between the
granting OF this consent and the actual
beginning Of work are simple and few.
The Rapid Transit Board Is now pro-
oeeding to obtain consents OF abutting
property owners along the proposed routes
on Third, Lexington, Seventh and Eighth
avenues, which are necessary In addition to
the consent of the city. Experience shows
that these consents are difficult to obtain,
and 80 the Rapid Transit act provides that
upon evidence of diligent efforts resulting
in failure the courts may be applied to for
the purpose of appointing commission to
condemn the right OF way. Then the
Rapid Transit Board will proceed to draft
a contract, which must be referred to the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment
for approval.
This approval obtained, the board will
advertise and let the contract at public
hi iding. 1t is understood that under
certain conditions the board is assured
of ut least two competitive bidders for this
great work. and in the event Of the terms
being literally arranged it will be possible
to construct this great improvement with
out overtaxing the oity's credit
The significance OF the action Of the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment was
not lost upon real estate spectators, who
watch these things with very keen interest.
The effect on real estate values along the
lines to which the city gave its consent has
been marked in the last two days, and the
announcement Of the engineers that there
is no reason why at least two OF these lines
should not be in full operation within four
years after the contract is signed has had
the effect of stimulating trading activity
and raising values.
The interest Of the general public in the
letting Of this contract centers in the PROM
Use Of the Metropolitan Street Railway in
terests that they will compete for the build
ing of these roads, and il successful will
secure to all passengers Of the new sub
ways the free use of 600 miles Of surface
lines by means of transfer for single
fare. As the Metropolitan interests have
secured the cooperation Of John B. MoDon-
aid. who constructed the present subway.
and MIR. Deyo, it's chief engineer, the bene-
fit of great experience is assured in the new
construction whereby all the defects which
operation has developed in the present
subway will be avoided, and even greater
speed and train frequency will Ia possible.