New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-13
THE THIRD TRACK QUESTION.

THE THIRD TRACK QbESIfOA-
Proposals for the third-tracking of the
Second Third and Ninth avenue ele-
waited roads the Interborough RAPID
Transit Company has been repeating at
intervals for several years. but they have
never proved popular, and they have
never met with favor from the authorl-
ties. Perhaps it would be better TO say
that they have never been put I'D. such
form as TO meet with favor from the
authorities, for the Rapid Transit COM
mission was once disposed to grant the
desired franchises if the Interborough
company had been willing TO undertake
extensions of the subway system i'll con-
sideraton for them. Opposition 10 the
third tracks comes from a feeling that
elevated structures in crowded streets
are nuisance and that the city should
look to subways rather than TO addl-
tional elevated roads or additions to
present elevated structures for further
facilities.
Another objection to the third tracks
has always been that the company has
asked perpetual franchises for them, and
perpetual franchises belong even more
TO the past that Las been put behind than
elevated railroads themselves. The pres
ent offer apparently contemplates per-
,petual franchises. 1t may be conceded
that inaSmuch as the third tracks are to
be parts Of roads which are operated on
perpetual franchises the granting of
perpetual franchise for them would not
l. nl;nc+innS
would be in the case of new lines. Still.
in any subsequent readjuStment of its
relations 10 the company. such as may
become necessary, the city would be III
a stronger position If the additions 20
the elevated system were operated only
upon a limited franchise Furthermore.
a perpetual franchise for extensions 20
the elevated roads in new territory Is
open TO very serious objections
The offer of the company calls for the
most careful scrutiny from the authori-
ties. The proposed additions TO the ele-
waited roads would unquestionablX prove
enormously valuable to the Interborough
company. The profits from operating
elevated railroads in New York City are
very large. since the structure. compared
to subways. is relatively inexpensive.
while the traffic is heavy; and in this
case there is little lean with the fat.
The operation of the Belmont tunnel to
Queens in connection with the subway,
while a great boon TO the people of
Queens, would not be substantial con-
cession by the PETERBOROUGH. which
would be better off operating the tunnel
than keeping it idle. Moreover, aside
from this, the city is to receive no addi-
ton to its transit facilities such as has
been hitherto proposed as q considera-
ton for granting valuable Undertaking
rights. When the value of these fran
chises is taken into consideration the
proposed payment to the city of only
80 per centum of increased receipts from
appears totally inadequate.
For the proposed plan it may be said
with perfect truth that no other prom
ises so prompt a measure of relief for
The Bronx and Queens. Subways would
take two or three years longer to con-
struct and put in operation than would
these additions to the elevated roads.
Moreover. it may be said that. the pro-
vision CT transit facilities being so eX-
pensive. common sense demands that ex-
listing lines shall be fitted for and put to
their utmost use. The plan calls for
careful study and consideration from
every point of view.