New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-27
THE QUESTION OF NEW SIDEWAYS.

The refusal OF the InterbOrOugh company TO
bid upon the East Side and West Side subways
Is interpreted as a strategic move. AS no rival
IS likely TO step In and take those two valuable
lines, the marlborough can afford TO wait In or
der to make as favorable terms as possible with
slle city. And, while the company is waiting, It
Is by no mere coincidence that big gathering
OF indignant property owners is scheduled TO
descend from The Bronx to tell the Rapid Tran
sit Commission how imperatively necessary TO
that part OF the city are additional tracks on the
Second and Third avenue elevated railroads.
The protests Of the long suffering Bronx VIII
be all the more impressive In view OF the re-
fusaI OF the marlborough 10 bid We must
shave additional trG Ks on the elevated roads
rif subWays cost too much TO build" etc
The figures presented by the InterbOrOugh's
committee on the cost Of building the projected
Bubways are certainly impressive. Perhaps the
fact that they were TO accompany a refusal TO
bid made them a little less conservative than
would have been the estimates OF an intending
bidder. A cost OF twice as much a mile as the
cost OF the present subway almost takes the
breath away, and it certainly will add point to
the indignant remarks Of the long suffering
Bronx. But really the new subway, IT, when we
emerge from the realms of strategy, IL does
prove not TO cost quite twice as much as the
present one. viii be a very expensive undertak-
tng. The terms OF the contract for the first
subway were necessarily as attractive as posi-
BILE 70 capital. Il was a novel venture and bid
ders were shy. The terms OF the new contract
are stricter. and IN other ways the cost Of con-
EtruetiOn has been increased The new subway
IS 10 be fourteen instead OF thirteen feet deep
certain practical considerations made this seem
adFisable-aHd the added cost OF excavation
win be considerable. Stations under the new
contract VIII be on private property instead OF
in the streets, and they VIII be expensive Ease
ments under the new contract VIII be paid for
by the contractor; the city paid Tor them under
the old contract. Physical damage TO AUDITING
property under the new contract Is placed uDon
the contractor; this was not accomplished fully
under the old. The cost OF construction being
IN these ways greatly increased and the rate
OF interest on bonds being now high, il becomes
indeed question whether there will be enough
profit IN operating the new subway % attract
capital.
But the situation Is by no means hopeless
Mr.. ShOnfs 10 his letter lntimated willingness
10 compromise with the Rapid Transit Commits.
sion, and, while nothing was suggested as ID
terms it Is q fair presumption that the net
prOiect in which The Bronx is 50 much inter.
ssted, the third tracking OF the Second and
Third avenue elevated roads, will figure prom
inentIy in the offer OF a compromise. This Is q
fople an which the marlborough is vastly more
interested than 81 is in new subwsys. The third
tracks would cost comparatively little TO con
struct, and the earnings OF an elevated tracl
would be 5ust as great as the earnings OF a sub
way track While the percentage OF earnings
on an investment in a subway must be small
on an investment In a third track upon a struet
urs already IN e1astencs 1t wouId BE- very large