New-York tribune., 1909-03-13
MR.. BELMONT SEES P.S. C.
FIRST VISIT IN II YEAR.
Interborougk Plan to Lengthen Sub
pdu Stations ApproUed.

August Belmont and Theodore P. Shonts pres-
dent of the Interborough- ropolttan Company
visited the Public Service Commission offices yes
terday afternoon and were closeted Tor an hour
with Chairman William r WILCOX 1t was MI.
Belmont's first visit to the commission in over a
year.
After the conference Mr.. Belmont hurried away
Mr.. Shonts said the visit had to do with the In
terborough's recent offer 10 spend Soo@n"p IN
extending its subway and elevated system pro-
vided certain changes in the existing rapld TansII
laws can be obtained.
Il am going away for little vacation said MT.
Shonts. L wanted 20 bring Mr.. Belmont over TO
see Chairman Wilcox, 80 that we three might go
over the situation in a fashion to acquaint Mr..
Belmont fully with matters they stand at pres
ent I also wanted Mr.. Belmont understand
Just what Chairman Villcox's attitude was at the
present time. That is all"
Mr Wilcox corroborated Mr.. Shontss statement,
but would add nothing to it. The appearance OF
Mr.. Belmont at the Offices of the commission and
the announcement that Mr.. Shonts was going to
take a vacation gave rise the supposition that
hereafter Mr. Belmont would take more active
part in the management of the Interborough s
affairs than he had done in the last two years 1t
was even rumored that Mr.. Shonts was going to
resign or be subordnated but this report was en-
phatically denied at the Interbcrough offices.
Chairman Wilcox sent letter last night TO
President Shonts, telling him that the Public Ser
vice Commission was in full accord with the In
terbOrough'S proposition to lengthen the local ana
express stations in the subway so as to permit
the operation Of six-car local trains and ten-car
express trains. The present maximum Is fve-car
locals and eght-car expresses. Mr.. Shonts believes
that lengthening the platforms will increase the
capacity of the subway at least % per cent
Mr.. Wilcox was asked If he did think that it
would be more advantageous to Iengthen the local
station platforms that eight-car local trains
could be rather than the sixcar locals proposed
by the Interborough. He replied that the COM
mis- ions sf1
carefully. and added that the commission would
doubtless recommend whatever scheme offered the
greatest possible relief.
The improvements proposed by the Interborough
estimated 10 cost less than 100000. In case
the commission decides TO order the local plat
forms heightened TO accommodate six-car trains
the cost would be nearly 81 10000.
At the Interhorough Offices II said yester-
day that the subway extension in Seventh avenue
as proposed planned the building of the stations.
which were to be for express trains. in such fash
ion thar when the time came TO install the local
tracks Il might be done without dsruptng the
whole station. Provision in other words. IS TO
be made for local tracks. The stations will also
be reservoir stations. permitting train TO pull
in as another is leaving the station.
It was also stated that on Lexington avenue a
double decked subway contemplated, the
lower level OF which would he taken by the first
tracks constructed. These would he carried across
the depression in Lexington avenue. north Of 103d
street on an elevated structure. which would ter
inmate at 116th street Ultimately. upon the
building OF the local tracks this elevated struct-
ure would be used by them and the express tracks
depressed
At the regular meeting yesterday OF the Public
Service Commission the application Of the Inter
borough Rapid Transit Company TO extend its sub
vav and elevated lines and the application OF the
Amsterdam Corporation for permission 10 build
an inter terminal subway and elevated belt line
placed on file
These applicat tons" said Chairman William H
Wilcox will be placed file and left open for
future consideration as referred to committee OF
the whole" It is understood that Henry B. Sea
man. the commissions chief engineer, has been
asked to make an immediate report on The feas-
ihilitv of the two propositions The present rapid
transit law be amended before the coTnrnis-
sion can act on either application.