New-York tribune., 1867-02-06
THE FERRY INVESTTG ALTON.

on Commerce. and Navigation, Mr.. John
Oakley, has given notice that the COMMITTED
will meet at .the City Hall of Brooklyn to-day
and Thursday, for an investigation into the
conduct and management OF the East
River ferries. He requests that prominence
should be given to this notice, adding,
" SO that all citizens who desire to make com
"plaints can have an opportunity 80 to do. 1t
3" is my desire to make the investigation as
"complete and searching as possible, and
" therefore invite all persons who have sug-
"gestions to offer and are acquainted with the
"subject to meet the Committee and consult
"with them. The Committee have come down
"to the City in order to hear the voice OF the
"people, and with an earnest desire to oevise
some measures for the public benefit"
If this Is all that the Committee intends to do,
we respectfully but decidedly object to Its |
method of investigation. All citizens who have
complaints to make should have the oppOr-
tunity, and suggestions may be properly re-
ceiyed by the Committee; but 1t was not
merely to hear the voice of the people that II
was sent to this City by the Legislature. Mr'
Creamer's resolution was "that the Committee
"on Commerce and Navigation be authorized
"and directed to Immediately investigate the
"present system of feTriage on the East
"and North Rivers, at the City OF New YORK,
"and that they report at an early day to tins
House bill compelling the ferry companies
"to afford better security and protection to the
"public.n This resolution imposes on the Com
mittee other duties than listening to complaints
and suggestions. Thorough investigation of the
ferry system requires that the Committee
rnafhod aa fha following:
1. The Committee should examine all the slips,
bridges, and boats, of each ferry and take the
opinions of competent engineers and builders as
TO their safety and convenience. 1t should see
what accommodations are provided in the wait
ing-rooms, and for the sale of tickets; what
police system is adopted to maintain order
among the crowds embarking and disembarking
at the same time; what precautions are taken TO
prevent passengers from jumping on or off the
boats before they are fastened to the slips; what
means are provided to rescue persons who are
pushed overheard; whether sufficient number
of life-preseryers are kept on the boats; whether
they could be easily reached if needed; whether
tho boats used in Summer are INT to use IN
Winter; what number of ice-bOats unemployed;
what means are taken to keep an open channel
! in Winter, &c, &c.
Q The Committee should examine the charter
Of each company, and see if it has been violated,
or if the conditions it imposes on the company
arc sufficient.
g. It should summon the officers and direct
ors of each company, and require statement
of the number of persons carried on their boats,
and should compare h tiie travel With the accommo-
dation.
a. 1t should examine the books of each COM
pany and, especially the regulations for run
ming the boats, and the time schedule. 1t should
inauire whether these regulations are published
! for the information of the public, and If, when
they are changed, any public notice is given.
8. IL should discover TO what persons the
practical superintendence of the ferries is
intrusted; whether they have any duties, and
| if so, what they are.
This part of the work, which would include
many inquiries we need not enumeTate, COM
p1rises, in short, careful examination OF the
ferries and the ferTymen Having performed
it, and made itself thoroughly familiar with
the condition of the ferries, and the system on
which they are managed, the Committee should
receive the testimony of citizens. 1t can then
intelligently compare fact with fact, rules with
tllcN VlOlHIlOilj uHu ulcdcuio thO OuP"Dni'!
of the companies by the injury to the general
welfare. That DONE it will be able to determine
correctly the justice of complaints and the
value of suggestions.
Without any wish TO interfere with the plans
of the. Committee, we urge upon it that such
method of investigation is expected by the
citizens of New-York and Brooklyn; they do
not wish the Committee to act upon mere testl-
mony. That Mr. Oakley and his associates are
earnest in their desire to devise some measures
for the public benefit, we do not doubt, and
already the good effect of the proposed inves-
tgaton is seen in the sudden introduction of
barge floats on the boats OF the Union Com
pany. If these are of value now, why were
they not used years ago9 But, though Mr..
Cyrus p. Smith g. Co. have been frightened
into the concession of barge floats these are but
trifles in the way of reform. The danger of
drowning is but one of many evils in the ferry
system, and the boats provide many ways Of
shuffling off this mortal COIL in which the
floats would be useless. The Committee should
take plenty of time in the investigation, and
the bill which it is directed to report should
provide for the complete reorganization of every
ferry in New-York. Our citizens do not want
the present bad system patched up; they ask
that it shall be swept away, and one that shall
be safe, convenient, and permanent, at once
provided 10y the Legislature.
- s-.<SSS
The Trustees of the Cornell University will hold