New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-09
SUBWAY NEAR SURFACE
PIN NOW FOR NEW TUBE.
Practically Decided to Ignore Pro
tests Of Broadrog Merchants.

While no formal action VIII be taken by the
zsoqr5 OF Estimate before Thursday it is prac-
,ica1Iv settled that the Lexington avenue Broad
nay subway VIII be built as close 10 the surface
If The street as possible, thus following the
,recedent established IN building the first sub
nav. This means that the Temonstrance of the
77roadway merchants against the cut and cover
method of construction is OF no avail, and that
che merchants for a year or two must be pre-
nared 10 accept the discomforts incident to hay
Ing the streets torn up in front of their business
places.
After the public hearing on Thursday the com
-rissioners had an informal talk about methods
and policies TO govern the building Of the next
,unnel II was the unanimous opinion that a
6eep subway would not do, and that the inter
ests Of the passengers who want to get in and
out Of the tunnel outweigh the interests OF the
merchants who may be financially injured by the
surface method OF building
I'VE heard a good deal about the Broadway
merchants and what they are going 70 suffer If
we do not build q deep tunnel, but we heard
nothing from the people who win be compelled
20 use the tunnel day by day. and who would
have q. case against US If we failed TO keep the
funnel close to the surface" is the way one of
The commissioners put It.
In London large elevators are used for lower
arg and hosting passengers. The engineers who
built the tubes in London have told the Rapid
Transit Commission that the New York subway
IS superior to the London subways because Of
the nearness Of the bores 10 the surface Of the
street
The commissioners consider that they have an
object lesson in the operation Of a deep tunnel
Fl the 16Sth street station on the upper West
side. When the traffic IS light the elevators
there handle the crowds. but when there are
large numbers at the ball games at American
League Park the elevators are swamped, and
people have TO walk up and down stairs at great
personal discomfort.
II Wall Street information Is trustworthy. the
Belmont interests viii not bid for the LeXiIlS-
tor avenue subway below 42d street 1t Is said
>. he The intention of the IuterbOTOugh people
70 bid FOR the upper part OF the Lexington ave
nue. subway and q little later, when the plans
are ready ana there Is an Opportunity Tor lAs
lower half Of the Seventh and Eighth avenue
system By joining the two half sections The
InTe-hCrouEh would have q line tapping the
Bronx OF the north. the Pennsylvania. Railroad
station at s335 street and Seventh avenue, and
jhe financial district on the south. PROBABLY
such & subway would carry as many passengers
as the existing subway
So far as known, there is no certainty that
4he Belmont interests viii have a rival in the
bidding. The Rapid Transit Commissioners be
ileve that Il they DO not get independent bids
the first time. by TeadVortising outside capital
will become interested
A new bidder viii be under the disadvantage
Of being compelled to provide at least S25,Ooo.-
0o0 even If the city extends its credit 70 finance
The contract for the new Brooklyn Bridge ter
TnnaI viii be ready for submission 20 the
Rapid Transit Commission at next weeks meet
9nE. Il viii be submitted TO the Corporation
Counsel for his supervision, and after being
adopted next week viii be advertised for six
weeks for bidders. II IS the terminal FOR the
elevated and surface cars 10 relieve me brlGSe
crush. and win be a temporary structure and
plan