New-York tribune., 1910-05-22

the part of the most expert men in America is
this: How to build a station that John Smith
or Mary Jones, who have never been IN New
York, can arrive at the Grand Central terminal
and pass through it to where he or she is going
with the least possible confusion and the utmost
tranquility and peace Of mind. That is really
the ideal that has to be sought after in the con-
struction of great railway terminal nowadays
The HIGH arched architecture of the railway
stations had its genesis in the gate of the walled
city ages ago. 1t Is the entrance by which all
travellers arrive and depart. If their comings
and goings be pleasant they will pass that way
again. But the modern railroad station must be
arranged so that the arriving passengers may
not jostle those who are hurrying to catch their
trains
When passengers arrive at modern railroad
station below the street level they must not feel
as though they were stepping into cellar. They
emerge. perhaps, from highly polished, mahog-
any trimmed sleeper. It's roof is low and it has
been their home for a day or day and night
or longer. When they end their journey at the
new Grand Central terminal they will hardly
mark the transition from the elegance of their
temporary home on wheels. 1t will be like pass
ing from one handsome apartment into the great
corridor of another. The platforms will be on
the same level as the floor of the car and there
will be no torn dress skirts or lacerated feelings
that are the daily features of this transition
nowadays. The great corridor which the pas
sengers will enter will be softly lighted Its cell
ings will be low, and it walls will be colored in
restful tones There will be no confusion. At
most only other train track will be in
sight The vista down which they walk will be
pleasing to the eye, and will seem like one big
long room. From there they will pass out into
the kissing gallery That is what the railroad
people call the place where the people wait to
meet incoming travellers. In this kissing gall
lery" there will be room for double lines of peo-
pie, each 100 feet long-plenty of space and no
confusion for the welcomers. There will be
three of these kissing galleries. which ought
to be ample even when travel is heavy The
track ON which each train arrives will be an
nounced so that there will be trouble in get
ting into the right kissing gallery"
Another carefully considered thing in the con-
struction of this terminal is the elimination of
stairways. Wherever possible. gently sloping
incnes take the place of steps An incline is
better than stairway because it is easier for
everybody, particularly so for the very young or
the very old. Even the middle aged man or
woman finds it more comfortable.
All these inclined ways are located in direct
lines of traffic. that the immense crowd that
moves to and fro will never have to turn any
corners or to turn around and go back In other
words, to handle the millions that will sweep
back and forth through this gateway everything
is arranged to avoid all possible friction or con-
fusion. 1t will not be necessary to teach people
where they should go; they will naturally move
in the right direction.
The exits and the entrances to this great gate
Way have been planned with the same care
Primarily. it was assumed that on some rush
occasions the crowd might spread out hesItat-