New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
MELLEN BACKS M'DONALD
Il SUBWAY ALLLANCE.
Opposition to Plan for More EIe-
Uated Tracks IN 2d-aUe.

John b. Mcdonald. OF the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company, last night received a telegram
from President Mellen OF the New-Iork, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad. with permission 20
make Il public which makes Il practically certain
that the Mcdonald interests have formed a rather
solid alliance with the New-Haven road, and that
if the former build the subways planned by the
Rapid Transit Commission the suburban traffic OF
the New-Haven road win be turned over TO them.
The telegram from Mr.. AIellen IS as follows;
You nay state to the Rapid Transit Commission
H1iIs,snze Sts,ioS ana Ser the interchange OF bus-
s. go tt - -,,,- ,1ronosed Subway
and the New-HaVen road. You are authorized 10
noSf Cordial al the present time and that as a
cult OF negotiations we expect they VIII be more So
The interpretation put on this avOwal OF a COM
munity OF interests is that the NeW-HaVen. IN
which the RockeSelleTs are largely interested. Is
disposed 20 assist the Metropolitan IN Ats endeavor
70 get the contract for the building OF three addi-
RionsI four-track subway lines in Manhattan.
The entrance OF the NeW-Hsven as q competitor
or as an ally os one OF the competitors Tor subways
lends an element OF interest 20 whether S4th-sE
shall be given over the exclusive use OF moving
platform or a fouT-track trunk line connecting the
upper East Side and the Grand Central Station With
Herald Square and ths Pennsylvania Railroad sta
aion The New-Hayen's new terminal is TO be az
Mott Haven on north side Of the Harlem River.
As Il has not been denied that Mr.. Mcdonald is
negotiating with the &ewYorlI Central for direct
connection with the new station 10 be situated on
the Harlem E1Ners Ino lueSlip oA HalcN the OoA-
mission win ultimately do with S4th-st is becoming
hourly more interesting.
A vigorous fight viii be made against the building
pf more elevated tracks IN 2d-ave One OF the op-
Aponents OF building additional tracks there man
vhO Is understood TO reflect the views OF the Rapid
Transit Commission. said yesterday:
aGsnifesty a four-track road Is much more in
curious street than a two-track R0ad, whether
tor above the existing tracks In any event, the de-
gformity OF the street is prOportonatey increased
Every important extension OF the longitudinal ele-
'Vsted lines viii automatically reduce the amount OF
additional longitudinal subWays constructed Mani
ostly the number OF longitudinal rapid transit lines
must be IN proportion 70 the amount OF
1ra1c be carried Capital cannot aflord 10 build
underground lines costing, with equipment etc.
about 81 800 900 q mile OF track without adequate
traic TO support Accordingly, by just about
Ehs extent that the elevated lines extended con-
luoed. At present Il seems certain that there Will
De bidders 4OT two longitudinal subWays on the East
side each with four tracks. II however. the Inter
borough company as allowed 10 add two additional
tracks IA 2d-ave. construction OF one OF the pro"
posed East Side routes would IN all probability be
saeferred for mary years. IL not abandoned
Peculiarly dangerous IS the plan Tor additional
elevated tracks in 2d-ave from 150th-st 10 Sd-st,
because Il Is accompanied by the condition that at
Ooeupying important streets which would have little
value except IN connection with the 2dave elevated
itne8. The eject OF thus connection would there
fore. be thar this subway. which would be perHa-
nsnt, would be likely TO obtain the same perna-
nance FOR the elevated lines in 2d-aye.