New-York tribune., 1906-08-05

the mute testimony offered by two OF the stores
being closed and third used by the city for
storage purposes seems to bear out the state
anent that they have not been attractive
But the underground street must be cOntinu-
Gus TO attract the public" says Mr. Rice. ''Peo-
pie will not go downstairs for half a dozen shops
but when there is entire street underground,
with an arcade. offering absolute protection from
heavy traffic. the case is entirely altered
The difficulty In obtaining unanimous
opinion OF what Is remedy for traffic condi-
tions In New York is illustrated by that OF an
other engineer.
"I hope the city will not build an UNDERGROUND
subway for foot passengers" said Henry Har-
risOn SUplee, the engineering writer. who has
studied traffic conditions in different parts OF
the world. cit seems to me that the Overhead
footWay has tmmeaSurable advantages over the
other Aside from meeting In every way the
problem OF getting the unprotected Pedestrian
away from the stress and danger OF mixing with
street traffic IL would be far cheaper TO con-
care Of ITSELF and the value OF the property
would be greatly enhanced. The scheme I pro-
pose is similar 70 the double sidewalk in Ches-
Ter England where the Second-story sidewalk fs
familiar 70 tourists
THE overhead sidewalk would run along the
second stories OF the buildings, and on that
upper level would be the main entrance and
show windows. This would leave the street
level for basement uses with delivery entrances
Take the case OF Nassau street, here. The side
walks are so narrow and the crowds so great
that tho majority Of US are forced TO walk In
the street, lodging trucks. cabs and automobiles
If an overhead sidewalk were built from Brook
side.
dangerous and UncOmfOrtab BILE condition would
be remedied at a comparatively small cost AS
the value OF the buildings would be greatly en-
hanceo' De1eve II would be feasible for the
city to tax the landholders to bear a portion Of
the expense OF construction.
"UnquestiOnably the thousands who have TO
walk up and down Park Row and Nassau street
coming from or going 20 Brooklyn Bridge or the
ADJOINING subway station would welcome any
means OF avoiding the now inevitable dodging
OF cars and heavy vehicles. process which in
wolves untold wear and tear on the nerves and
temper, and not tnfFequently results in fatal
accidents A series OF overhead footways down
Nassau ana William streets and Park Row
would accomplish this end. Then the pe(es-
trlan who walked along the street would be
knowingly doing so az his own risk But az
present the risk is unavoidable
Fourteenth. 23d and Saith streets would be
excellent places to install these elevated foot
ways. leaving the lower levels for the carriage
patrons OF the big department stores Shoppers
coming on the elevated would be on a level with
this higher sidewalk. while, for the benefit OF
subway passengers, elevators or eScalatOrs
might be installed al the station
Now that the stOOp line on Fifth avenue be-
low 42d street has 10 be altered. Il has struck
me that it would be an excellent thing 90 try
the overhead fOOtWays there. installing them
while they are making the other alterations.
People do not want 90 go underground even
20 avoid crowds and danger. But they win 20
overhead 20 walk II the overhead passage Is con-
tnuous, as. OF course IL would be In the crowded
districts. In the other parts OF the city they
would not DO necessary. AZ the present time
there are one or two department stores which
have nyHhead sidewalks from tho elevated STA