The New York herald., 1922-05-27
Transit Board Hears Pleas
for Facilities for Benefit
of 100000 Taxpayers.
WOULD HELP BLACK BELT
Washington Heights People
Insistent on Getting Ade-
quate Service.


and residents presented a formidable
opposition yesterday to that phase of
the Transit Commissions new subway
construction program which would
end at the Harlem River the pro-
posed extension of the b. r. It's Broad
way-Seventh avenue line.
BY dead ending" the extension at
that point. they argued. the needs of
Washington Heights would not be
served. The Washington Heights Tax
payers Association. through Mayer C.
Goldman, submitted a substitute plan.
calling for an additional six and half
miles Of construction, which would
project the line to Fort Washington
avenue and 1s7th street along St.
Nicholas avenue route.
The commissions tentative plan con-
templates a two track extension of the
Broadway B. r. T. line north from
Fffty-ninth street. under Central Park
West and the park to 10th street;
thence via Seventh avenue to l55th street
and Eighth avenue. The cost for this
route has been estimated at $26.500. .0oo
and the time required for construction
7h years.
Four Track Line Wanted.
Mr.. Goldman declared there were on
Washington Heights 100000 taxpayers
whose interests would be far better
served II four track line were run
to 1l0th street. and then continued up
Eighth. instead of Seventh avenue. Car
rying on to St. Nicholas avenue and
12lst street. 1t could then proceed
through West Harlem into Washington
Heights along st. Nicholas Park to
lSsth street. crossing above the present
Interborough subway. which at this
point Is ninety feet under ground. He
would have the route proceed thence
under Broadway to 176th street. to Fort
Washington avenue and on to lS'th
street.
Reginald Pelham Bolton. secretary OF
the Taxpayers Association. said the
Transit Commission plan would bene-
fit 10000 colored persons In Harlem ana
also people going to the Polo Grounds.
but there are other things more I'M
portant than ball games
The proposed St. Nicholas avenue
route was supported also by members
of the Washington Heights Chamber OF
Commerce and the Hamilton Community
Council by Copeland Townsend or the
Central Park West and Columbus Ave-
nue. Association. Harry Pasternack, who
has a petition with 10000 names: Ed
ward Sullivan of the Harlem Board OF
Commerce and John ]. Walker of the
Bedford Heights Board of Trade. Brook
<I.z al
River proposal would only benefit our
colored friends who might want to get
a wash at Concy Island"
NortherIy Terminus wsnted.
There was some disposition also to
amend the commissions s69.50o.ooo plan
for a double deck trunk line subway
to run the length of Manhattan Island,
chiefly under Eighth and Amsterdam
avenues. Dudley Harde OF % Broad
street, representing property owners
urged that the northern terminus be
advanced up to Dyckman street. rather
than have II at Fort washington ave-
nue. and 1s1st street.
Copeland Townsend thought the pro-
posed st. Nicholas extension preferable
TO the trunk line under Eighth and Am
sterdam avenues. which. he held. would
unnecessarily parallel existing subway
facilities.
George c. whesfer. attorney, repre-
eentIng owners OF Washington Heights
property OF an assessed valuation ol
100000, preferred the st. Nicholas ave-
nue. extension route. but pronounced the
Eirhth avenue trunk line "a good al
tentative"
Champions OF the ST. Nicholas ex-
tension project had their ardor some
what cold blanketed when Chairman
McAneny informed them their pet route
would carry with II the Limitation OF
exclusively local service. as this could
be only two track thoroughfare AND
express service would be out OF ths
question.
Tnxpayers' Fears Quieted.
Tho fears Of Central Park West and
Columbus avenue property owners tha
the Transit Commission was contemplate
ing the removal OF the surface cars II
Columbus avenue and the diverting o.
the traffic to Central Park West lines
were dispelled last night By Chairman
McAneny OF the Transit Commission
when he told the Central Park Wes
and Columbus Avenue Association a
the Hotel Majestic. that the commission
not only favored the removal ot th'
tracks in Central Park West but ha,
also incorporated In its transit plan :
scheme TO continue the lines OF the p
r. r. subway up Central Pack West II
order to facilitate the removal OF tn
surface lines The meeting WIS presided
over by Copeland Townsend. managini
director OF the hotel and was IN IN
nature OF mass meeting OF the resident
OF the district.
Mr.. McAneny said he was hearth,
In favor OF removing the tracks in Cen
trail Park West and that he would dive n
the present Eighth avenue cars uT
Broadway 10 Sixty-slxth street and the-
continue them up Columbus avenue al
far ms 10th street. Columbus avenue
should be retained in the scheme, h'
said.
woman In the audience wanted e
know II the subway would be delayed
II the attitude OF the city administra
tion was such that Il should refuse &
vote the money for its construction.
III they really meant H. II woulc
delay u.s." answered the chairman.
Mr.. McAneny explained that the sug
pestion Of Daniel l.. Turner, consulting
engineer Of the Transit Commission
that the tracks In Central Park West b.
retained and that those In Columbus
avenue be removed had been mad
mer&y In the form tha y suggestion ts
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