Publicado por [New York, 1886
Librería: David M. Lesser, ABAA, Woodbridge, CT, Estados Unidos de America
14, [2 blank] pp. Original printed blue wrappers, stitched. Near Fine. New York State authorized Alfred E. Beach in 1868 to construct pneumatic tubes beneath New York City and Brooklyn for the purpose of conveying letters and parcels; an 1873 Act authorized Beach to construct an underground railway in New York City. The Beach Pneumatic Transit Company was incorporated in 1868; it became the New York Arcade Railway. Above-ground property owners, including Astor, opposed the projects. Claiming that the underground construction would damage their property, they argued that the projects violated New York State's prohibition on the grant of monopolistic privileges to private companies. Judge Van Brunt dismissed their claims, and upheld the Company's power to undertake the construction. The New York Court of Appeals reversed Van Brunt, declaring the Railway Company's Charter unconstitutional and defeating, for the time being, its plan for underground rapid transit.