New-York tribune., 1908-09-06
RAPID TRANSIT ABROAD
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EdzCard N. Bassetts Dissertations OF
Subzoays IN Foreign Clt'es.

-,,,tss;onar Edward NJ Bassett of the Pub
lie Service Commission, who has recently relufheu
from a trip TO Europe, where he studleu the Trains
nortation systems of the various capitals, talked
Yesterday of the observations made by MIN III ehe
two months he was away. He concludes that
New York City is not behind these cities IN It's
TRANSFORMATION facilities although these facilieies
differ in degree and kind in various cities AS
general observation they consider comfort ana
safety while give more regard to speed ana
capacity. -
Asked if there would be any concrete results on
tho ira pspor slton problem here as result OF MS
trip the Commissioner replied frankly 'hat he oiu
NOT believe any great changes here could De e&-
.,,ot.1 ia follow his study of European systems.
..\= matter of fact" he said, we have a
~ oblcm here which We shall have 10 WORK ou'
in our own way. Conditions and topography oti-
fnr So much in various cities that it may not De
feasible to adopt things here that may work wen
i,, other nlacce No do not think we can make
over our trausporta ton systems on the lines Oh
those in Europe
one thing that impressed Commissioner Bassett
was the care and expense used in track construc-
top in Europe compared with New YORK winch
enhanced not only the safe anc speedy operation
Of cars but also resulted III the cars being opef-
atc6 with much less noise than here
I'VE have regulations for putting up buildings
hut W, have no legal standards OF track cohstruc
tion he said. I'VE may come "a H.
Commissioner Bassett observed that the cars IN
Iuropean capitals were not ohstructeo SO nlucli
as here by the transportation OF heavy Ireisnt
through the streets. He said New York woulo
have to find method OF removing Vii-s
traffic from the streets -.
In the course of his talk Commissioner Bassett
said:
1.-The great cities of Europe have given especlal
attention to safety and comfort We nave given
more regard to capacity and speed Nhen SPEAK
Of ranid transit railways 1 refer To elevated roads
as well as subways No American need 10 De
ashamed of New York City In this respect because
when one considers the conformation OF the greater
ety the deep and wide waters within It's limits ano
the many obstacles that nature mas lIhposeh 10
render intraurban traffic difficult, the QUICK ana
nractical methods supplied in this city are aston
isbing in their magnitude The comparative 1ree-
dom from restraint has allowed a quicker aeFetop-
nent of street rapid transit here than IN LONDON
paris Berlin or Vienna Their slower methods
have however, produced some results that snouio
no Instructive to us for the destiny of New York Is
to be one of the beautiful cities OF the world ana
the people of this city will never rest until its RAPID
transit lines safe, comfortaoie anu oeautiiui
elsewhere. ,.,
For instance Berlin has found that elevated
,Iroeas can he made almost noiseless. and OF such
solid and beautiful appearances that aoutting prop
ertv is not damaged The track Is stone oalias'eo'
shade trees In the suburbs are SO placed as 10 as
sist the identification. and the stations consructse
1argev Of masonry are very handsome Their cars
are lighter than ours. and the trucks ana motors
b.ya aaan made so carefully that they are almost
neiseless. ,,. -,
In the subway portions of the railroad no such
ar,1rt ~ heat is generated as In ours parity due
10 lehtrsss OF rolling stock and partly 10 the care
- .,S.I1 the operators have been trained in the
,,za NJ the electric current. This railroad Is owned
end operssed by a company. Instead OF the city
na,ing for the construction Of the subway to de-
vsIon a vacant suburban section in the southwest.
the nersons who furnish the money for construction
have bought the undeveloped territory. and hope
mai the increase Of value will assist in paying
the construction cost This enterprise is interest
inr because Of its novelty in subway finance
I'm Paris the city owns the subwsys. and a COM
many operates them under thirty y-nve year priv
,,aas Tbev are profitable both to the city and the
.omnanv at present. They have relation to sub
urban development. but form an underground not
work within the walls of the city Each subway is.
however a separate entity II Is not system