700 Traxsactions of the American Institute. 



practicable in open cuttings, tlirongh back yards, running under cross 

 streets and under buildings that cannot be bought at paying prices. 



Mr. Fisher would modify this plan so as to go under Canal street, 

 instead of over it ; and he would make it thirty-five feet wide wherever 

 practicable. For some years, until existing buildings are removed or 

 modified, it may be necessary to have more tunnels than are agreeable ; 

 but, as the income of the company increases, buildings will be bought 

 and removed, and ultimately the way will be open, except under the 

 cross streets, and it is expected that the ventilation will be satisfactory. 



Comparing the three ]!^ew York plans, Mr. Fisher preferred the 

 open cutting, on account of its free ventilation and light. The pro- 

 posed means of ventilation of the others are insufficient. And room 

 cannot much longer be spared for areas, or even common lamp-posts, 

 much less for the lan-ger ones proposed. The gases and vapor slowly- 

 ascending through the areas would go into windows and doors, and 

 render buildings unpleasant. In the open cutting, they would be 

 projected upward by Ihe force of thp steam blast in the middle of the 

 opening or street, and counter-currents of pure air would descend at 

 the sides, so that only pure air could enter windows in ordinary 

 weather. In reply to the claim relative to the under sidewalks and 

 well-lighted under stories ; roposed by the Arcade company, he said, 

 that, in his opinion, the under sidewalk, on account of its insufficient 

 light and difficulty of access, would not compensate for the loss of five 

 feet width of the upper sidewalk, and the under stories would be 

 much better lighted from the undergrade street. Light room and 

 street room would be combined ; the new street should have sufficient 

 width to light the buildings well, even to the basements and sub- 

 basements, down to the level of the new street. 



Having compared these plans, as to light and air, and economy of 

 land damages, and claimed that the space taken for the inter-street 

 would not damage property not yet built on, because the light room 

 is more valuable than the ill-lighted buildings that now exist on many 

 lots, he proposed a plan of his own, by \vjiich a higher speed than is 

 attainable on rails can be attained. The plan is applicable in the 

 tunnel or the arcade; but he would prefer the open cutting. It is, 

 to floor the street with iron, as level and smooth as possible ; and to 

 run steam carriages. Their average speed will be greater than that 

 of heavy trains, because they can load for distant places, and run 

 through without stopping, passing the way-carriages ; because they 

 may safely be built light, as in case of breaking down, they will 



