New-York tribune., 1908-02-28

Proposition on .Subzcay Ertenston
Submitted to Board of Estimate.

Chairman Wilcox nf the Public Service Commits
sion tried to make clear yesterday why the conf
mission wants The Board of Estimate and AppoT-
tionnlent approve cf the BroadVay-1eAlhs'oh
avenue and Canal street extension subway routes
Mr.. Wilcox said the commission is asking me
Board of Estimate TO do for these routes only what
if has done already for dozen others.
"A wrong impression seems to have become cur
rent as to The precise proposition submitted by the
Public Service Commission to the Board Of Esti-
mate and Apportionment for its approval In con-
naction with the Broadway-Lexington avenue route
and the Canal street extension said Mr.. WILCOX
THE Public Service Commission asked the Board
Of Estimate and Apportionnent 10 approve Ger
tain important ana extremely desirable modifica-
lions in connection with these two routes. II the
Board of Estimate and AppOrtionment shall grant
the approval requested Its action will place upon
the man the two routes suggested and render pos
sfble their construction whenever funds can be
secured Without the approval Of the Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment these routes can
never be built, either by the city or by private
capital.
The commission has asked the Board of Esti-
rnate and Apportionment TO do precisely the same
thing that j; has already for more than a
dozen routes Further. early in last year the ad-
ve~tisement Of contracts for three lines IN the
boroughs OF Manhattan and The Bronx, estimated
70 cost more than s159. 600 600, authorized by
the Board Estimate and Apportionment- If it is
proper for the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment 10 authorize the letting of contracts before
any definite obligation is assumed, there would
appear 10 he reason why the board should not
approve the laying of the route.
.-One OF these three lines advertised last spring
was the so-caIIed Lexington route which,
in the MAN. was similar to the present Broadway
Lexington route. except that the line as
now planned is generally conceded to be superior
original in several essential particulars.
Furthermore as the route planned it
may be operated independently or in connection
with the existing transportation lines-an impor-
tant consideration when the point is reached Of
asking for bids for operation The grades have
been lessened the size of the subway has been
increa sed, a number Of curves have been elimi-
mated, and il stands the route is the
most direct and central that has ever been
laid out.
The cnly objection that has been urged has
grown of a feeling of apprehension Of danger
TO Grace Church. The engineers have assured the
commission that the subway will be so low that
il will have effect whatever upon the church
But even If some unexpected difficulty did develop
in the future, if it thought desirable to
vary the route at this point, it can easily be done,
the precise location 10th street is funda-
mental consideration.
The Canal street route is OF great value to the
citizens of Brooklyn. it will enable them TO so
north and south in Manhattan by any one of sew
eral If the line is built they would
be obliged walk considerable distances to make
their connections.
1t should be remembered. not only by the citi-
zens Of Manhattan but by the residents OF Brook
lyn. Queens and The Bronx, that if these lines
not approved by the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tonment they cannot be constructed by any one.
If. however these routes are approved by
the Board Of Estimate and Apportonment, then
the Public Service Commission will proceed once
whole or in part provided the money for such
struction is voted by the Board of Estimate and
Apportionment, and unless money is voted no
is possible"