The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-01

The Cry RAILROADs-THE HUDSON RIVER
AND HARLEM RoADs.-It is now over four years
since the Hudson River Railroad Company
were granted the privilege Of laying double
track from their depot in Thirty first street
to their Office on the corner of Hudson and
Chambers streets When it became known at
the time, that an application would be made to
the Common Council for this purpose, strong
opposition was manifested by the residents
living on the line of the proposed route, and
meetings were held with the view of defeating
the company. 1t was urged that a railroad
running through Hudson and West streets
would deteriorate the value of the property on
both those thoroughfares and that the running
of cars through them would not only prove an
obstruction to all other vehicles, but that it
would be attended with imminent risk to life
urged with much force at the time, the appl-
cation was heard, and the right to construct a
track between the points we have named grant
ed. That the running of those large, heavy
freight and passenger cars has been at
tended with serious accidents, and, in many
cases, with loss Of life, the public know too
we'll. Itwould be wrong, however, to charge
these accidents to the carelesness of the compa-
ny or their employees; but we know that they
have neglected, even when directed by an or
dinance of the Common Council, to make such
Improvement in that portion Of the road which
runs through the city, as was deemed necessary
by that body. They have been ordered to take
fho oil ,br+sf ,,fo &ha
which, being level with the surface of the street,
presents no impediments to the wheels of other
vehicles. If a cart Or carriage happens to get
wedged in between the rails of which the pre-
sent track is constructed, it is almost impossi-
BILE for it to get out again without the loss of
one of its wheels, or some other damage.
But this is not the only cause of complaint
which might be urged against the Hudson River
and the Harlem railroads, for what we have
said applies equally to both. The tracks at the
termination Of each, but more especially of tie
first, are taken up with cars, much to the an
noyance and inconvenience Of drivers. The fact
Of the matter is simply this-the benefits which
the city receives from either of these roads fall
far short Of the actual damage which is caused
by them.
The depots Of both are on Thirty first street
that Of the Hudson River Railroad being on
the north, while the depot of the Harlem Rail-
road is on the east side Of the city. When these
buildings were erected, the limits of the city
had not extended up SO far but such has been
the increase which has since taken place, that
the trains, after they are connected with the
engine at the depot, have to run over a mile be-
fore they get into the country. No allowance
has been made for the growth of the city; but
we hope the Common Council will see the ne
cessity Of attending to this matter at once, be-
sides compelling strict compliance with their
orders in respect to the change of rail.
With regard to the city railroads proper,
which are really benefit to our citizens the
principal objection is that they are sometimes
overcrowded, and that they do not therefore
offer the same accommodations as the stages,
which hold certain number. This is
matter, however, for which passengers are
themselves as much to blame as the conductors
Or companies-fog il they insisted on having