New-York tribune., 1921-05-08

iaaey told the Greensboro Chamber of
ConimeiNsc recently that transit con-
struction affecting Queens was pro-
gressing Satisfactorily
The information on the status OF
progress WAS developed by series of
questions asked the Commissioner by
John Adikes, chairman of the transit.
committee of the Greensboro Chamber.
Commissioner Defsney's explanation of
the subway work was surprising. for
ii indicated early additions to the pres
ent transit system and an improve
nent IN operation of some lines now
in operation.
Commissioner Delaney, dealing with
the subjects categorically as presented
to him, stated:
Plans for the construction of the
Greensboro subway from Madison Ave-
nue. to Seventh Avenue have advanced
close to the point Of advertising for
bids All legal steps have been taken
and an agreement with both operating
companies in regard to method of con-
structiHg the station at Broadway has
been reached. This project is the first
on the list of those receiving attention
and every engineer and craftsman that
can be utilized is at work on these
plans.
"The engineers have been directed to
preparation of plans for installing a
new and independent set of tracks and
signal equipment commonly described
as gauntleted tracks, for the use of
the New York Consolidated Railway.
The plans will include the eonstruc-
tion of new platforms on the outside
Of the elevated structure at Hoyt Ave
nue. station on the Astoria line and at
Woodside and Junction Avenue stations
IL a ILL.,
engineers have declared the proposal
60 install gauntleted tracks to be I'M
possible on account of the complica-
tions due to island platforms at the
three stations mentioned. By con-
structing side platforms similar TO those
all along the line it will be possible,
from an engineering standpoint, to IN
stall a separate track for each line
and eliminate, in my judgment, all of
favorable decision Of the court in re
gard to the plans heretofore con-
sidered.
New Arrangement Costly
ssThe new plan will be extremely cost
", including, as it does, complete new
frackage, new signal apparatus and new
station platforms, but it appears to be
the only way to accomplish the re-
suit desired--namely, dual operation
Counsel advises that there may be some
legal questions to be settled in regard
to responsibility of the companies or
the city as to payment Of cost of parts
of the work to be done, but | have
directed the engineers to prepare plans
as outlined and am confident that all
legal questions can be satisfactorily
taken care Of I cannot state definitely
when these plans will be completed,
because they are revolutionary In their
character and require preparation IN
minute detail.
"It is my judgment, however, that
the greensboro Chamber of Commerce
should pay continued attention to the
subject and guard against detection
of the efforts Of the commission into
controversial channels. The gauntleted
track method is the plain and simple.
way to accomplish dual operation. 1t
would have been unjustifable, in view
of the large cost, to have chosen this
plan before trying to adopt the less
costly plan, but it seems to me
that the gauntleted track plan will 80
adequately protect the rights of the
Interborough company that the court
will not further obstruct the installa-
tion of dual operation facilities.
"plans for the construction of the
elevated structure from Alburtis Ave
nue. and Peartree Avenue, and thence
TO the storage yards and shops on the
Flushing medows, are progressing.
The extension Of the line to Flushing
has not yet been adopted, and this Sec
ton is not included in the dual subway
contracts. The plans for the approach
TO the yard and for the yard and shops
are harmonious, however, with q fur
ther extension to Flushing when the
construction Of the addition is decided
upon.
Good Headway on 14th Street Line
s'The subway construction in Four
teenth Street, Manhattan, is proceed
ing continuously; the subway under
the river and TO Meserole Street, in
Brooklyn, is substantially completed;
from Meseroles Street to East New
York no contract has been let The
original route laid down by the old
Public Service Commission passed un-
der the Long Island freight yard at
Bushwick station and over the Long
Island freight yard at Varick Street.
The engineers have always con-
demned the plan of the construction
of a station under the Long Island
freight yard at Bushwick station, and
| inherited controversy over this
point. AS result of this controversy
new route was laid down, extending
from Meserole Street through Bush
wick Avenue into McKibben Street in
subway; thence on an elevated
structure from McKibben Street diag-
onally across private property to
Tharhas Street, and thence through
Thames Street to the Long Island