The New York herald., 1922-06-07
PRAISES MOVING
SIDEWALK PLAN
Chairman McAneny Of Transit
Commission Finds Only
One Objection to 1t.

The advantages of an underground
moving sidewalk through Forty-secoAd
street from river to river were outlirkd
yesterday by George McAneny, chair
man of the Transit Commission at a
luncheon given yesterday In the Ec=-
more Hotel by the Forty-second Stf-es
Property Owners and Merchants Anso-
citation and eleven other civic organisa-
tions interested in the growth OF tAat
section of Manhattan lying between
the Grand Central and PennsyIvsnia
Terminals. Mr.. McAneny explIsned
that the plan is still being debatet DIT
most of the 800 or more property oWAe-s
and merchants present. carried sway
the impression that the Transit Gem
mission believes that the advantageS OF
the moving platform idea outweigh WA
disadvantages.
About the only objection that have
heard yet against the idea," said Mr.
McAneny. lis that it would necessi-
tate the removal Of the basement vaults
which now extend under the present
sidewalks. In answer to this fault. let
me say that an underground sidewalk
would provide an additional street front
age for the buildings deprived OF the
vaults The plah will provide for foot
path between the outer edge of the
moving platform and the underground
show windows which will most likely be
installed IL the plan is put into opera
tion.
Even though we do provide the NOV
Ing sidewalk we shall most likely al
low the present subway shuttle line to
remain in order to give the traffic tho
option of using the platform or tho
trains. Those who are in a hurry and
who possess the requisite athletic abil-
ity, WILL I am inclined to believe. use
the moving sidewalk. This will be so
constructed that the outer platform will
be operated at a rate of three miles an
hour and the second one at six miles
and the inner one at nine miles an hour.
On the last one seats will be provided
for those who wish to ride longer dis
tances.
This platform will link up al, the
trunk line subways which cross Fortv-
second street and will offer convenient
Access to the Grand Central Terminal
waiting rooms.
Zone Of the first effects Of this plan."
said Mr.. McAneny. will be to make
possible the removal of the surface car
lines. Forty-second street ought to be
as free and clear and as clean as Fifth
avenue Is to-day for vehicular and
pedestrian traffic. If the surface lines
obstruct removal on the ground that !.
IS an un1alr attack on !helr 1rdncnlSes,
might say that the Transit Commission
already has the power to settle all such
disputes arising from franchise rights"
Mr.. McAneny alluded to the hght to
remove the unsightly and archaic L spur
structure which still exists on Forty
second street from Third to Park ave-
nue.. He said 1t was symbol OF the
waste which Is going on in New York.
II always had an idea that the quick
est way to get this eyesore removed"
he said. "is to order the Manhattan
Elevated Railway Company, which owns
1t, to comply with the requirement that
the supporting pillars be placed on line
with the curb instead Of being seven
feet out of line. IL this were done the
Manhattan would without doubt be con.
tent to allow the removal of the struo-
ture rather than to be forced to NEE. the
costs of rebuilding it,