New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-13
DEATH AVENUE" NEXT.
HERRING By p. S. BOARD.
Committee appointed to Consider
Track RemOUaL Problem.

The Public Service Commission for this district
held yesterday its first meeting especially for the
consideration OF rapid transit affairs and at once
took up the Eleventh avenue situation. A committee
Of two Commissioners Bassett and Matbe. was ap-
pointed to make an investigation and report TO the
commission within two days.
The committee will hold public hearing on the
subject next Thursday afternoon. This viii be the
first public hearing Of the board
Although the SAKE law provides FOR the condem-
nation OF the New York Centrals tracks in Flew
enth avenue, the commission thinks that action on
Its part may relieve the city of some of the enor
nous expense such proceedings would cause.
It is understood that some of the commissioners.
at least, wish the Central to use its West Side
limo for passenger traffic well freight. The
commissioners think this would mean a great bene-
fit TO Harlemites.
'If the New York Central" said Travis Whitney
secretary to the commission has valid fran
chse at all, it has passenger as well as freight
franchise, but it uses only the latter.
1t is significant that the committee has appointed
tho hearing for Wednesday, July is. The Leg1s-
lature on that date will, in all probability, still be
IN session Should the committee find an adequate
remedy for this death trap 1t could Immediately
draft its ideas into bill, rush the bill to Albany,
get the Governor to send emergency message to
Legislature. and under it pass the measure De-
fore adjournment.
There are two ways" said commissioner to-
day. ''by which the tracks can be taken off Eiev-
enth avenue. They can be removed by COndemna-
ton proceedings brought by the city or by exercise
OF the police powers Of the state The state could
declare the movement of trains on the avenue q
public nuisance and order their removal. This lat.
be no strenuously fought by the railroad
than the former"
Father John p Chadwick chairman of the COM
mittee of fifty. sent letter 10 the commission yes
terday urging action on the Eleventh avenue sit
uation.
The committee on bridge crush made report
Yesterday II said that It making salts
factory progress, but that much more hard work
remained TO be done before It would be ready 10
make recommendations.
The commission received a communication from
Bridge Commissioner Stevenson reporting the
FpF0NG hFrT
and Blackwers Island bridges, with the train
capacity Of each bridge. Regarding the WllIlaIlS-
burg and Manhattan bridges Mr.. Stevenson salu;
Certain work on the Williamsburg Bridge Is IN
progress under the jurisdiction of the department
Of Bridges which, when completed, which expect
viii be by the latter part OF this year WI" resui'
IN +bA operaton over the bridge of elevated rail-
road trains from Brooklyn to and into the SUP
surface railroad station in Manhattan eAtendlls
In Delaney street from Clinton street 10 ESSEX
street Upon the compilation OF the sald terminal
and the other improvements now under way IN
connection Herewith, thirty ehtca n eisl teu
trains an hour which can deliver 25,Vp people an
hour at the Manhattan terminal. may be operated
across the bridge. This traffic VIII be entrely IN
addition the present traffic over the suF4a'e 0
ley cars crossing the pridge.
Manhattan Bridge-In the case or tho Manhattan
1riSga which II is expected will be completed by
December 81 i90a provision is made on the struct-
ure for eight railway tracks in ALL four on the
lower roadway and four on the upNer level OI
these tracks the four on the lower teVei can De Gse
INTERCHANGEABLE for subway, elevated or surIaSe
car traffic. The four on the upper level may Dc
used INTERCHANGEABLE for elevated and surface car
II will be necessary TO know in ample time before
the bridge is completed Just how the tracks over
the bridge TO be allotted to the dlr1ereht TRANS
portation companies"
The chief engineer reported that work hao oeen
begun on loop lines 70 connect the brooklgh'
Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges -,
The committee appointed on the proposed bourth
avenue subway spent tho afternoon looking over
the route. It's members are commissioners NC
carroll Bassett and Mnltbie.
The State Board OF Civil Service Commissioners
told the Public Service Commission that provision
had been made for the transfer Of all employees of
the former Rapid Transit Board to similar posi-
tons under the commission. with the excep-
ton OF Secretary Burrowes, who mas resigned
Chief Engineer Rice OF the commission made a
report IN which he took exception to the state
ment made by John II. OBrien. Commissioner or
Water Supply Gas and Electricity. that the west
chester Lighting Company has slipped in lZ-ineh
main on Broadway between goth ana 24Zd streets,
and who asked that the commission nave the ilh1n
removed