New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-24
STREET RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION


For the past week the condition of half
New-Yorll has been scmi-barbarous. Travel
ing perhaps an average of two miles to their
work, our citizens have had more difficulty
each morning, in making the journey, and
have undergone more fatigue than trip
to Philadelphia would require. They can
cross what our aliases used to call 1.-THE
Great American Desertn with more ease
than they can, after snow-storm,
pass from Harlem to the Battery,
through what should be the focus Of a CONT
nent's civilization. How long must this en-
dure 7 How long must delicate women hang
by the car-straps, packed like behring's, while
every moment the chill wind from the freshly
opened front door whistles about their heads,
as they jolt at tedious pace homewardsf How
long must every snow-storm bring protracted
daily misery to half our people Is the need
to be forgotten anew with the melting of every
SNOWFALL
Late expositions of the aGflirs Of the street
railway companies show that they receive from
twelve to thirty per cont-an average, to be
particular of 1871 per cent-on their invest
ments. This we take to DO fair return for
money put into any legitimate and honest
business. II is at any rate ali that any honest
man or corporation intending to fulfill his or
its obligations has much right to expect, in
any ordinary way, from any honest adventure.
Still later expositions show that these COM
panes have franchises, granted without con-
sideration TO the city, worth over ten millions
of dollars--in interest worth nearly, il not
quite, ten per cent on that sum, and certainly
salable for that. Yet for its own enrichment
and advantage, as it is supposed, the city
grants tins for nothing.
For all this these companies owe some
thing to the public. To be sure each line
seems to be assured of its particular sup
port az long as it continues TO offer even the
present inadequate accommodation. But beyond
the consideration CT their own interests the
lines owe to the public full accommodation in
any emergency. Emergencies do occur, and
the companies always fail. For instance, at
each and every sudden snow of this season
tho public have been left with only half the
number Of cars usually considered neces-
sary for their accommodation. Unhappily
the number of those who wish to ride cannot
be reduced proportionately at as brief notice.
The companies will probably never see the
quick consequences Of this picayune policy
until elevated and underground railways are
projected over and under every avenue. That
must become the measure Of relief in the end.
In a milder climate the ample water facilities
of the city would servo q vast number, but
where Nature 0bstructs we must look to other
means. The Gilbert Elevated and the Van
derbilt Underground roads will help materially
to solve o problem before which, however
difficult, the ingenuity Of American mechan-
les will not hesitate. We ought to have
the promised dummies at once, and the greater
improvements in time. At any rate, the peo-
pie Of this city deserve for the franchises they
have given away, and the profits they annu-
ally pay, better facilities than they have. And
if the present companies do not provide them,
some other, better and moro liberal organiza-
tons will.