New-York tribune., 1905-05-20
THE qH1RTY-FoURTH STREET SUBWAY.

THE THLRTY-FOURTH STREET. BUBWArs
BY its proposal to extend the 94th-st subway
across the East River the Rapid Transit Com
mission has given the public q surprise. Until
the contracts for this and other new lines are
actually let, forecasts about the result cannot
be made with certainty; but several probab1l1-
ties already stand out in relief. The idea OF
locating the eastern terminus of the tunnel in
close proximity to that Of the Long Island
Railway will strengthen the popular belief that
a fusion Of interests has been effected by the
Pennsylvania and Metropolitan companies, and
it will also suggest some pleasing possibilities
in the realm of suburban transportation.
By the substitution Of electricity for steam,
which Will begin to take effect within the next
few weeks, the Long Island Railway will put
itself IN a position to recapture much business
which the trolley roads In the Borough Of
Queens took away from it. The instant that It
becomes feasible to run its electric trains
across to the island Of Manhattan It will en-
Joy an immense advantage. A continuous ride
from places ten or fifteen miles away from
Long Island City to the heart of the Borough of
Manhattan will result in u great saving of time
and trouble. The company which controls the
Long Island road long ago recognized that fact
and it contemplated the construction of a tunnel
Of its own under the East River for the accom-
mediation of commuters. The execution OF the
If such a route is opened under municipal au-
spices and If an alliance is effected with tho
corporation that secures the exclusive priv1-
lege of using it, The Pennsylvania company
could also abandon its project for an under
ground passageway to the East River from its
central station in 7th-aye. If it were free to usa
one belonging to the city.
The foolishness Of duplicating costly facili-
ties In that part Of town has excited a s11s-
a4G %lnh ffn nv O1i
the Pennsylvania company to carry into effect
its original intentions. and will refrain from
bidding on the new works which the commits
sion has practically authorized What makes
the suggestion more credible Is the fact that
subway in 34th-st would parallel a surface
road belonging to the METROPOLITAN system. If
IS to be hoped, however, that these fears will
not be realized. So far as the suburban SER
vice is concerned, it matters little whether the
old project or the new one Is adopted, but the
choice will materially affect popular conven-
fence on Manhattan Island The ovis+fDc,
crosstown road in 84th-st is already greatly
overtaxed, and relief from the conditions +hera
cannot come too soon.
1o the advocates of moving platform the
decision Of the commission TO aIlou, po+bir,
but an electric road In the 34th.st suhvav viii
be source of disappointment. Still. thew have
no just cause TO complain It was wise for tho
authorities to give the preference to mode op
transportation whose excellence has been fnIlv
tested and which is identical with that 70 hs
adopted on the new north and south nnes
Mr.. Edward NJ. Shepard is credited with hav.
Ing declared that the commission was not -
liberty under the law to consider anv Other
system OF traction. If he is correct, that BODY
was Obliged to pursue the course which - roi
lowed. 1t is probable that there Will ba I,ttIa
talk OF introducing the moving platform into
any OF the other crosstown subways.