The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-15
The Union Ferry Company and the
Brooklyn Residents.


Three or four years ago the Union Ferry
Company raised the passenger fares on
their boats from one to two cents, on the
ground that the then high price of coal ne
eessitated the measure. But few gave credit to
this allegation, for it was we'll known that the
company were earning handsome profits under
the old arrangement Having, through their
monopoly, the law in their own hands, they
compelled the public to submit to the sur
charge. The following winter the price Of coal
fell to its present low rates, and at this in con-
sequence of the increase of railroad facilities,
it has continued ever since. Notwithstanding
this reduction of expenses, and the large addi-
ton which has yearly been made to the traffic,
the company have evinced no disposition to re-
turn to the old prices. Atpresent about 8O,O 900
passengers daily cross the river in their boats
yielding weekly return of $1,000, without
counting the fares for vehicles, which, consider
ing the exorbitant rates charged must yield an
equal sum. Assuming the gross weekly re-
ceipts to be $22,400, we have yearly revenue
of $1,264, 800, with which the company can
play just as they please; the accommodation
required by the public being, as is well
known, meted out to suit their own
greedy views of profit Some idea may be
formed Of the extortionate character of those
views from the parsimony which they display
in small matters Without referring to the
principal grievance against them-their insult
licient supply of boats-our readers will agree
with that it is impossible as regards the other
details of their management for any large estab-
lishment Of the same character to be conducted
with greater meanness. Let us take as a SAM
pie the condition Of the waiting rooms at the
South ferry, which are not only the flthiest
but foulest smelling receptacles into which hui
man beings can be packed. In the arrange
ments connected with them all considerations
Of delicacy and decency are disregarded, and
but few ladies can venture into them even in the
coolest weather. 1t is the same at all the other
ferries, with the exception Of Wall street, which,
being considered the most aristocraHc Of the
whole is better constructed and ventilated
It is not merely, however, in the
shabby condition of their passenger sta
tons, but in all the other branches Of
their administration, that this pinohing,
misery 6piTIt 10 OOccIsdtic LII tue WdlblRn
rooms there is but one gas burner, Of the small
est size, placed so high, and yielding such an
infinitessimal amount of light, that those wish
ing to while away the tedium of delay by read.
ing find 1t impossible to do so. 1t is the sames
on the boats after certain hour of the even
ng, the greater part Of the lights in the cabiy4s
being put out, leaving the passengers to the
Il % L. Az
scuve. At time when, on all the great lines Of
transportation and conveyance, every effort is
being made to curtail the inconveniences and
increase the comforts Of passengers thes g facts
strike every one with wonder and disgust
They create the more surprise from the gene
raj conviction that prevails that the company
Il extortng from the public just double the fares
for which they might convey passengers and still
make reasonable profit That these imposi'