New-York tribune., 1908-02-27
THE HUDSON RIVER TUNNELS.

Practical observation of the Hudson River
tunnels the first day of their regular opera
tiOn causes many favorable impressions. lhe
smoothness and comparative uOseieSSneSS Of
traction and the superb ventilation seem TO
leave nothing to be desired Long and deep as
the bores are, and of course quite destitute OF
openings save at the ends the air is fresh and
pure at every point. more than in the subway,
which has resorted TO the Objectionable eXpe-
dent of transforming sidewalks overhead into
grdirons This is doubtless largely due TO the
construction Of the tunnels in entirely
separate tubes each only little larger III
diameter than the ears, 50 that each tram acts
. as a piston in pushing cut the air before ana
drawing in fresh air behind it,
The tunnel lining and the walls aud ceilings
of tie stations are not as pretentouS OF rs
ornate as those i'll the subway, but they are
satisfactory. The massive columns and the
plain masonry roof are dignited and appro-
pirate The platform walls are unhappily dis
figured with advertising posters, hut much less
than those III the subway, for instead of hiv-
Inc, nichtmare-like yellow tin frames nailed
against encauStic tiles the placards are simply
Dasted fat in sunilen panels ma e for the puf-
pose. 1t may be a question whether the signs
should be there all, but certainly if they are
10 be there the Hudson tunnel method OF
placing them is incomparably preferable To
I that in the subway
The cars which after ali are of most concern
10 the public are 4 decided Improvement upon
those in the subway They are obviously fire
proof since they contain no wood or other
ronhuStible material of any kind the seat
coverings leather straps and signal ropes
The solid concrete floors Of cars and platforms
are not onlv firpproof. but are doubtless Tar
more cleanIy and sanitary than wooden floors
and wooden gratingS The division of seats
may ar may moi lessen the tendency to crowd
! inc but if will certainly check the Move along
there ahonination. while the upright posts
are a happy thought for the convenience ana
/ safety of passengers standing or WaIkihs
/ through the cars while the train IS III motloh-
| II is gratifying 10 see that i'll addition 10 eA-
! centionallv wide end doors the cars are pro-
vided with central side doors. such as were
adopted at The Trbune's urging many years
AGO OH the BROOKLYN Bridge and such as TINS
! naper has since recommended for elevated
railroad and subway cars. However much the
+,,pnol cars NAV be crowded. exit from them is
! sure 10 he far easier and more expedltouS lnah
/ from those of the subway.
ON the whole. then, must regard these
nioneer Hudson River tunnels as constructed
/ lnd an1inned in a praiseworthy manner which
marks an advance upon anything of the kind
I which this public has had before and which
< in a high degree CreditablC 10 the projectors
and managers Of the enterprise. Such routes
of travel Will not only bring the northeastern
1arts of New Jersey much nearer to this city
( in noint Of time. but they will also make
transit 10 and from them actually more pleas
ant than that between this city and any other
of its sllhurhs-a consideration which strongly
hesDeaks the need Of transit improvements in
other directions.