New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-08
TROUBLES OF COMMUTERS
ERIE MANAGEMENT IN FAULT.

LOCAL TRAFFIC.
BY an extended investig cation of public feeling
along the line of the Erie road within two hours ride OF
New-York IL has found that the wenigh universal
sentiment ono OF dissatisfaction with the present drec
ton. The common cry that is careful proyis
ion for the increase of local traffic and little concern for
the satisfaction OF the reasonable wants OF the thousands
who pass the road morning and evening on their
way TO and from their business IN New-York. The
wishes OF the public with regard to the number OF trains
the times OF the trains and the prompness OF their run
ming received more attention under the old regime,
faulty il was than The rigid economy which
now rules conduct of this corporation and places
round dividend far above public accommodation 49, IL is
generally asserted, carried too far. The President OF
Erie states that the communication and local passenger
traffic Of the road Ia done at loss and he aims 70 make
that loss as light possible by reducing the num-
Der Of Improbable trains But the residents along the
line answer that hberal!polcy would rapidly build up
local business that could not fail to prove profitable
They state that they are at great disadvantage as COM
pared with commuters other railroads leading from
New-York notably the NewJersey Central, wherein,
by frequency OF trains, by nberality OF Communication
rates and regulations and by every indueement local
traffic is fostered and NewYork business men induced
to settle on the line of the road owners Of real estate
on the Erie line claim that If they wish to sell their prop
erty the fact that IL is only to be reached by the Erie
will depreciae its value and keep away purchasers
With region the natural advantages OF Witches
pecaly those of the section between Paterson ana sur
fern-are hardly surpassed 10 the whole State develop
ment is very slow compared with the growth OF towns
on other railroads From people living at Paterson, or
between Paterson NewYork there is little demand
additional trains though even for that part Oh the
State the number of trains and their adaptation TO public
wishes do not compare favOraby with those OF ohcr
leading lines but Paterson the residents feelha
until lately they have treated with marked Unjust
ice. Thirteen years ago. when from hdgewood, the
largest town between Paterson and Sufern there were
only five commuters TO NewYork, and very little traffic.
sixteen trains stopped daily at Rdgewood eight each
way. All through the last Winter and Spring there were
only thirteen trains stopping at Ridgewood, five 10 tho
city and eight from IT, And this when the receipts Of
the Erie road Rdgewood station for 1870 $4,000
outside Of communication fares which and PAID
Jersey City The number commuters had in the mean
time, risen TO 100. There not so many commuters
from Rdgcwood station this year in 1870. The Md
land Railway has station close by Ridgewood, at
Midland Park and all Of Erie's former commuters who
can conveniently go that way prefer IT, Matters were
mendcd in no small degree however, by the Summer
timetable of the Erie road. BY this arrangement
there eight daily trains TO Rdgewood and nine from
that place TO NewYork But these are not enough for
the convenience Of residents in that vicinity. IL was
by repressive policy that in the last - years
Hackensack ana the many pretty towns along the
New Jersey Northern Railroad have been built up.
Until May 26, the stations immediately above Paterson
had only three morning trains the last leaving Ridge
wood at sos II a doing business in New-IOrk
missed TINS train he could not 20 TO the city till $40 in
the afternoon Now his much better for there
two later morning trains, at s35 and 94O Nevertheless
1t the emphatic opinion OF the dweers in tho country
above Paterson would both the Erie roadand
themselves good stead 10 give them many trains
Paterson has Although the running Of the extra
trains might be present loss to the road the develop
ment OF this section OF country would be 30 advanced
that the result could not but rebound to the advantage
of the railway. one evening train is specially
desired and there is for stations beyond Pat
ersOn between Gas and 1880 p.
The additional trains gwen in the Summer arrange
nlent are doubtless due to the efforts OF committee
consisting OF +. \. Walton OF RdgcwOod A. j. Cameron
of RdgewoOd o. j. Victor Of Hoboken ana l. W. En-
gland of Paramus, which appointed last Spring by
the commuters the Erie road from the stations be-
tween and surn represent their grievances
to the Erie management ana 10 impore additional trains
That committee obtained expressions OF approval and
empty offers OF aid from such subordinate officials as
agents. division superintendent superintendent of pas
scnger traffic, and engineers but could accomplish
nothing unless Peter II. Watson President of the Eric
Railroad could be induced 70 consent 70 hear their
prayer. After weary waiting, hoping much and getting
nothing from the promised efforts OF under officers
majority of the committee called on Mr.. Watson. An
audience was promised them in half hour, but they
they left b. cool their heels IN Erie chambers
from $3.50 a. 1870 p. m, when Mr.. Watson gave them
the and ourtest of interviews From this they
got no encouragement and the appearance Of new trains
In the Summer timetable was surprise and Is still
something of a mystery.
To the Committees statement Of lack Of accommoda-
ton to their offer Of exhibition Of comparative tables
showing how far behind other main lines the Erie was
in favOrng local traffic and Communication, TO Their rep
resentatiOn the capabilities OF the country they APP
pcared for 10 their request TO show how would right
speedily benefit the company as well as the petitioners
to mt ON ucw tainsIt was answered that the
taton and local business OF the Ere road are done at
contemplation, the present management did not pro-
pose put trains at loss that the interests OF the
but nothing could he done for the petitioners TIL third
rail should be placed Oh the Erie for local business to
accommodate which gauge ana ngiueS |
would be used. The Committee ana the people they |
represent still think that Suiiern might well DO made
The depot for local business IN place Of Paterson, and all
the Paterson trains To SuierB As many Paterson
tas n idle an hour or two i'm that city il would seem
that their pushing to Suern Q5 mileI would not entail
intent no now discOntentcd residents bet een Pater
son and Sufcru. Between these places commuters Do
complain very badly OF delays OF trains OF troubles
al the ferry They admit that there is for reform
in respects bu anxious TO seek FIRST the
tabsbment OF Paterson convenience az their stations
that for the present they viii lose signt OF lesser COM
pants Against too few or too mean on the trains
there Oucry, though u II aid that on holidays, or
where from any there i IN unusual cowdlng ol
passengers there is not always sufficient provision Com
nuters complain vigorously that uner the present mau-
agencnt rule has been enforced unknown under tue
old government not to allow stopping over for an hour
or at intermediae station between Nowfork aud
their destination ms rule huTts faers0h Wheie many
commuters living beyond would stop to make purchases
for which they had not time or convenience IN NeWHork
The summing up Of the sentiment OF travellers on the
Erie road is favorable 10 the honesty discipline aud DIV
iIend paying convictions of the present management.
As puuctuaity, hbcralty aud larBenlnded regard
for the great future as compared with the petty pres
ent, 1t il distinctly uufayoraLle
the answers OF Erie officials to charges OF delay nj the
tunnel and ferries follows II Is absolutely i'm
possible avoid frequent st0ppagcs al the tunnel while,
as now trains pass through daily or NJ an average
OF one train every minutes ana ~ seconds. To
avoid accidents, two trains running III the same
drecton are allowed In the tunnel at the time.
There Is complete and rapid system Of electric signals,
so that train clears the tunnel IT'S sue
cessor enters Trains have the right OF according
to class aud the time OF their arrival hfsc3ss
train the Erie Road has the precedence OF hrscas
train on Essex II II reaches the tunnel
first although the Morris and Essex train may Dc duo at