New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-06

IN. donselv populated and its transit
facilities absolutely INADEQUATE 20 its
present needs. IL would be an unjust
dlscrlm nation on the part OF the city
70 effect the agreement in regard 10
the northerly SIDE Of Queens without
making suitable provision for our part
Of the borough. and We further submit
that none Of the contemplated new
transit lines viii afford anything like
the advantages which would follow the
arrangement which We now ask the
commission 10 effect.
As % the necessity. propriety and
rcasonablcness Of the project. we call
YOUR attention 70 the fact that the
section for which We speak was as
sGrcd over fifteen years ago that
II would have direct transit TO Brook
Ign and Manhattan.
The Board Of the Atlantic Avenue
Improvement created by Chapter 400
Of the laws Of 1897 was authorized TO
proceed with the work Of eliminating
grade crossings on Atlantic Avenue.
This was dependent upon the construc-
ton OF an underground double track
railroad from Flatbush and Atlantic
Avenue 10 Manhattan A. or near Maid
en- Lane, and the operation Of the Long
Island Railroad trains through its en-
tire length.
This original plan was later amend
ed and the tunnel from Flatbush
Avenue TO Manhattan was incorporated
IN the plans for the Interborough sys-
TEN and the contemplated physical con-
nection was not only retained in the
plans Of construction but was actually
partially constructed. The city built
the subway and paid $3.50. 900 as its
share Of tho work Of eliminating grade
crossings on Atlantic Avenue. The tax
PAYERS. however, have not yet received
The promised direct transit
The rapid annual increase in the
number Of persons daily using the At
lantlc Avenue division of the railroad
and the subway will soon make IL abb
solutely Impossible 70 continue the use
o. the Flatbush Avenue station as a
terminal, and the only ultimate solu-
ton Of this problem is the acquisition
by the city. either through lease or
purchase. Of this division Of the rail
road, TO be used as an extension Of the
present subway system, but as We un-
dcrstapd that owing % the limited
amount which the city can now spend
IL Will be impossible for the city 10
undertake this latter project We shall
for an arrangement foi the Joint Cd.
GRAFTON by the subway and the Long
Island Railroad over tho Atlantic Ave
nue. division. We feel confident that such
JOINT operation can be readily managed
and that We are entitled 20 have this
matter taken up a. once and before
The arrangement In regard 20 the North
SHORE division - concluded, and II
would be manifestly 20 the advantage
OF the city 20 have the two negotiations
put through a. the same tine.
A. TINS point we might add that We
recognize mat u would be unfair 10 re-
luire the marlborough 20 transport
Messengers from the casterly portion
o. Queens 70 The Bronx terminals for A
i've cent fare. We do not content
that the present rates OF fare on the
Atlantic Avenue division are excessive.
but We are satisfied that II a physical
connection between the Two systems ia
secured the agreement will provide
FOR reasonable fare much lower than
TO-" present comhtcd rates.
" . respectfully ask that the COM
m i~slon viii give this matter its imme-
q ate consideration and that YOU will
an ora us an opportunity 20 be heard"
ne letter was signed By Robert W.
Higble. president of the Equal Transit
League.
/; - intima,ed in railroad circles that
the use of the Atlantic Avenue division
by the PETERBOROUGH even for only .
few Of It's trains would add 20 the diff
hculties that already beset the Long
Island Railroad in operating trains over
the route. The Atlantic Avenue divi-
sion is two-track from East Neu York
10 Fla,hush Avenue. and railroad eX-
perts say the railroad would have 10 he
four-traek. which would entail gres.
expense. 20 permit the Joint use of SUBJ
way and Long Island trains there.