The sun., 1916-12-05
AUGUSTUS THOMAS
HAS TRAFFIC CURE
Playwright Would Build Orna.
mental Iron Bridges Across
Fifth Avenue.

Augustus Thomas, the playwright, az a
public spirited citizen has been deeply
concerned about the traffic congestion In
Manhattan. He has applied himself to
a remedy and yesterday contributed his
views to THE SUN
For the present." nc said. Il believe
bridges are the best solution of the
problem they could serve until the per-
manent cure Is discovered. They need
not possess the unsightlincss that many
fear, Built OF ornamental ironwork. they
might be ornamental additions to our
city. The small bridges over the Seine
In Paris are decidedly slightly.
THE bridges, In my opinion. should be
constructed across Fifth venue on thor
oughfares between Thirty-fourth and
Fifty-ninth 81 ieets. Alternately they
should handle the east and west traffic.
At Forty-second street tire heavincss OF
the traffic would require a double way
bridge.
These bridges would be ten feet wide.
six feet 10 be given up to auf omobilcs and
two feet each side for pedestrian paths.
Stairs for the pedestrians would he Just
back OF the Fifth avenue property line.
At Forty.second street the bridge would
b. wide enough for the car tracks as
well as the ~footpaths.
Cheap aud Effective plan.
The plan il cheap and Immediately
effective added Mr.. Thomas. Each
bridge as soon as constructed would give
n measure OF relief. With the cons,ruc-
tion there would be u general falling
on Of the congestion. when all the
bridges were completed there would be
uninterrupted travel on Fifth avenue.
The chief objection for wide bridges.
as | see H.. IL the eHcroachment on adj
joining property. Interference with traf-
fc approach and the additional dis,d-
vantage OF cutting OFF light. One way
bridges would avoid theHe objections"
Questioned about keeping cars that
wanted to turn at Fifth avenue in the
flow of traffic the playwright explained :
''To get into Fifth avenue "A notorist
would shape his course az follows: III
bound west. intending TO ro north. he
would just turn Ia the right at the
corner. However, II he wished TO GO
south he would have to cross a bridge.
20 around the block. head east and
then Join the traffic by turning to the
right at Firth avenue"
Walter ]. Solomon Of the Forty-sccond
Street Association believes the problem
will solve itself when the new subways
and the Park avenue viaduct are COM
pieted. lie is unalterably opposed to
depressing the ear tracks at Forty
second street. and none too optimistic
about the feasibility OF underground tubes
or overhead bridges. His organization is
n powerful one and will resist every
effort TO make Forty-second street suffer
to the advantage Of Fifth avenue.
"Our street from Eighth avenue to
Third avenue Is as strongly representa-
tive OF good business as the stretch of
Fifth avenue that lies between Thirty
fourth and Forty-second streets he
said. Our interests need 10 be as care
fully conserved as those or Fifth avenue.
when we have the new subway on
the East Side there will be a decided
falling off in the pedestrians who now
cross Forty second street TO reach the
stations.
Sees Relief for Fifth Avenue.
The construction OF the viaducts viii
give Fifth avenu much relief from its
present crush OF vehicles. The repav!ng
OF Broadway and the completion of the
Seventh avenue subway ought to TAX
thousands more vehicles on the only
real avenue now Mt to use.
when all this work is done, and the
hnish OF It Ia not far off, Il may not be
necessary TO provide any radical means
10 take the pressure from Forty-second
street and Fifth avenue. There will be
a general readJustment of traffic that
probably will save that point.
proposals TO depress the car tracks
or to sink pedestrian tunnels at Forty
second street should be carefully consid-
cred from every angle before they are
adopted.
Justice for FOrty-serOnd street.
"Forty-second street to-day represents
the investment OF millions. II is unfair
to give Fifth avenue the heneht II such
action will hamper the activity OF Forty
second street.
THE whole situation could be saved, in
opinion, by putting the Sixth avenue
elevated under ground. II is time We
faced the fact that the elevated struc-
ture is hurting US more every day that
II Is depriving us OF an artery that could
be made as valuable TO the city as Fifth
avenue.
why does not the city realize that
the work must be don some time? II
done now the property alu would do
more than pay for the cost OF such Il
subway. In every way the enterprise
represents a gain and should be carried
to a conclusion"