New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-28
.P.S.C. TO PETERBOROUGH
CITY CAN'T BE BLUFFED.
President WHIcor Makes Significant
Hint on UnifcatiOn of SaSbroays.

President Wilcox of the Public Service Commits
sion sent a reply President Shonts OF the Inter
borough company yesterday. traversng all the pro-
posas laid down by Mr. Shonts with reference to
the desire OF the company for new subway routes
and practically telling Mr.. shOnts that his proposal
of June 30 is impossible in it's present form
The letter closes with assurance by Mr. Will
cox that commission will be glad TO CONFER Win
Mr. Shonts at any time with reference to the plans
under discussion. The entire letter is calm and
courteous but President Wilcox supplemented it
with a statement which breathes belligerency to an
extent if Mr.. ShOnts wishes TO interpret it So
Speaking OF the plans of the company and OF It's
evident desire to certain north and south ave
nues so as prevent occupation for subway lines
by any other company. Mr.. Wilcox said:
The people of the city OF New York will never
be brought to their knees by their necessities They
No man or set of men, no corporation or set of
corporations will be permitted TO force this COM
terms dsadvantageOus TO the city.
Speaking further of the city's position of advan-
tage in dealing with applicants for franchises. MIR.
Wilcox remarked
The city needs all it's clubs to retain its pres
ent advantages. Perhaps instead OF the term
clubs" l should have said avenues of resource
fulness
President Wilcox is inclined blame the Board
of Estimate and Apportonment for the delay in
lengthening the station platforms. on this he says
The Board Of Estimate has had our plans before
ening the platforms Would facilitate the handling
of ten-car express and eight-car local trains and
per- cent The Should baTe been S1 n early
IN the summer so that advantage could have been
comparatively light All the commission can do
along to the board for approval
Mr.. Willcoxs letter says that the company's pro-
posal for additional tracks upon the elevated roads
is being carefully investigated. and he asks that
plans he forwarded showing the reconstruction Of
the roads for the proposed tracks.
The cOmpanys plans for tracks on the Queens
ooro Bridge are favored. provided agreement
can be effected terms
The two-track lines suggested by the company
TOT Lexington and Third avenues do not meet with
the approval of the commission because Of their
inadequacy. On this the letter says:
and hT , construction would render impracticable
complete ro1, ISon ioreys the building Of
Tan ether through Lexington Third ave
transit needs of the city too many to permit any
tb6roSion to Ice 50 located 10 obstruct two
. Furthermore. no new sections in The Bronx
yantages would be that a more direct route would
merely be provided between the West Farms
Manhattan below 42d street. and that the section
Be local subway service but a not sG rapid S0 ex
plscs IN Ttird Inc express line YOU propose TO
thlrd track on the Il" road TO be used FOR ex.
Of facilities either for Manhattan or for The BronH
~ rs possible TO provide "A connection between
street BY Way Of some other avenue without block
L4Is Two SupMdNS-thHt is. branch could be built
tAteudlng up Madison avenue to connect with the
present subway IN The Bronx. with another short
li'Sttoi al OF near 10th street and LenOX
nue. such line would enable the patrons OF the
SubNaN living M The Bronx reach lower Man
HaLtaIl oL route as direct you have proposed
ana me lFnoN avenue section would be benefited
more than ny the Lexington and Third avenue eX-
tensions The construction OF such a line would
also serve the district between Fourth avenue and
II the lnterborough company should be the sue
when advertised. connections could be made be-
tween the present subway and the Broadway Lex
ington avenue subway when convenient. But tho
commission does not believe that the Broadway
Lexington system should he thrown overheard or
an extension OF the present subway allowed 70 pre-
vent Its construction. The Broadway Lexington
system has many features and advantages which
OF the alternative routes suggested for the ex-
tension down Seventh avenue. the commission pre-
fers the line by way OF Varick street provided
city authorities viii alter the street layout that
neighborhOod to facilitate construction. But we
believe that four tracks should extend further
south than Canal street, and that switch con-
nection should be made the Battery between
this line and the tunnel TO Brooklyn. that trains
from Brooklyn may run up Broadway up the
Seventh avenue extension.
The commission desires YOU 20 state upon what
conditions YOU will undertake the Seventh avenue
extension. either a separate and distinct matter
or In connection with the Steinway tunnel and ex-
tensions in Brooklyn and The Bronx 8 outlined
above. part OF the cost OF these extensions being
borne possibly by assessment
As to the line across Canal street. the Manhattan
Bridge and through the Flatbush avenue extension