The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-14
ASKS FOR 4.TUGCK ELEVATED
BELMONT OFFERS > CENT INTER
BOROTGH FARES ~ RETCRN

And Transfers Uctvecn the subway ana
Elevated Syucns Thrown ln-GrOui
Against More Elevated lines, hut the
Commission VIII THINK over II.
II the marlborough company can got n
franchise for four tracking the Second
avenue elevated railroad the company
will carry passengers between all the bor-
oughs in which It's system operates for
single five cent fare and, moreover, will
give free transfers between the subway
and elevated systems This proposal was
made yesterday by the company to the
Rapid Transit Commission.
The company's application to add two
tracks TO the Second avenue elevated was
made few weeks ago, when It became
known that the Metropolitan system and
the Gates syndicate. which II behind the
Port Chester Railroad Company, were pre-
pared to bid for the building Of subways on
the East Side. The commissions committee
on plans reported adversely on the pro-
posal, but the application was renewed
yesterday to the whole board and the pro-
posal put before the commission proved 80
attractive that tho committees recon-
mendation was laid aside for the time being
anu " Wdh AFAlAtAl W llhAA a nolANa VI kNblAN
hearings before acting on the report.
Julian +. Davies for the marlborough
company explained that the company
desired to provide an express service on
Second avenue by making the road four
track one. From the terminal at l5Oth
street the structure be described would be
a two decker as far south as i2sth street.
At that point the two upper tracks would
extra tracks would run on a level with the
existing tracks and would continue So with
the exception at the points where stations
would be constructed, to Third street.
The plans call for two express stations,
one at Eighty-sixth street aud one at
Forty-second street To avoid congestion
It is proposed 70 place these stations above
the present stations and TO reach them the
trains will 90 to height Of III feet
above the grade Of the local tracks.
Al Third street the express limos would
descend over private property into a
subway under Chrystie, Canal and Centre
streets 10 Chambers street, where it would
turn west to a terminal near the Hudson
River,
Mr.. Davies said that this plan would
result In a saving OF twelve minutes over
the time made from l5Oth street 10 Fulton
street by the subway trains. Then he
made the offer Of an marlborough single
fare and free transfers.
Immediately the Commissioners began
20 ray attention. Some Of them seemed
20 doubt that they heard arighh Comp
troller Grout pointed out that the contract
for the building Of the Brooklyn extension
permitted the company TO charge Brooklyn
passengers an additional fare north Of
Fifty-ninth street In this borough and
asked IL the company was willing 70 abTo-
gate that right. Mr.. Davies replied affirm
and would this offer apply also 70 other
extensions or new routes that the COM
pany might build?" asked Charles Stewart
Smith.
ait would" replied Mr.. Davies; in fact,
n in the course Of time. the marlborough
Company should ever extend say 70 Boston,
Ne are prepared 10 promise that we will
even carry out our agreement by carrying
passengers 10 Boston FOR Eve cents
Vice-President Bryan Of the Inter
borough company, said that the company
would begin the giving Of transfers imme-
diately the permit was granted, without
waiting for the completion Of the new hnes.
Asked by Commissioner Smith II the report
was true that his company had made ar
Tangement with the New Haven railroad
for carrying the passengers Of that road
downtown, Mr.. Bryan said that nothing
Of the kind ia contemplated at this time
He went on 70 say that although II was true
that there had been conferences with Presi-
dent Mellen of the New Haven. looking
90 the possible transfer Of passengers at
Willis avenue, the marlborough company
was not ready to provide for more traffic
on its elevated lines which were running
90 their fullest capacity, while between
l49th street and the Harlem River the trains
were being run on Roadway that was
possibly beyond the safety limit.
Comptroller Grout made it clear that he
was opposed 10 the building Of more elevated
lines. He intimated that IL the application
OF the company was gIA1tsd that 70
would lead 10 similar applications for the
extension OF other elevated lines In the city,
and the result would discourage bidding
for subway contracts. The commission,
however, decided TO go further into the |
patter and resolved to hold public hear
Ing before acting on the application.
In adopting the report Recommending
the laying out Of the new routes described |
in detail In The sun, the commission held
in aheyance the Recommendation Of the |
committee that the Second avenue elevated
scheme should be rejected.