The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-10
The Danger or Rapid Transit.


overt hostility TO rapid transitis in the motion
Of Mr.. Hustled exempting Fourth avenue from
a steam railway line. Now, on its face this is
a very innocent motion, but we look upon 1t
with distrust. Mr.. Hustled has the reputation,
4 which he has not succeeded in removing,
Of being what may be called the head of GER
tain railway interests in Albany. He knows
perfectly well that the Legislature granted
charter some time ago in reference TO rapid
transit road upon Fourth avenue. lie
knows, also, that Fourth avenue ia nat
ural line between the present improvement
on Fourth avenue and the Battery. The
Fourth Avenue Railway is owned by the COM
pany which controls this improvement, and,
while we would counsel no legislation that would
affect the interests OF any street railway as
compared with the other railways, we think, at
the same time that it is UNI ust for the Legisla-
ture to pass an amendment distinctly In the
interest of the Fourth avenue road and ignor-
ing the interests Of the owners of other roads
who have as much claim to the consideration
Of the people. The motion to exempt Fifth
avenue and Broadway from a steam railway
is proper Beyond that any interference on
the part of the Legislature is improper Ii
it is found after deliberation that Fourth
avenue is the natural line for rapid transit,
then there is every reason why 1T should be
taken. It is small avenue compared with
the others; it passes through the Bowery,
wide business street, and goes directly to the
City Hall. If we had any opinion on the
matter it would be that Fourth avenue is ex-
actly the avenue on which we should have
steam railway. We do not wish hastily to at
tribute the course Of Mr.. Hustled to the in
fuence Of this railway interest If this mo
ton represents q hidden design to defeat
rapid transit then it is a responsibility
which Mr.. Hustled cannot very we'll afford to
assume. The company which owns this rail-
way has received from the city and State Of
New York the most bountiful consideration.
To enable the Central and other railroads to
run directly to the Grand Central depot we
have paid one-hak the expense Of the magnif-
cent Fourth avenue improvement We have
given it site for its new depot practically
free of cost. The company has received
privilege after privilege from the people.
While other trunk railroads, like the Pennsyl-
vania Central, the Erie and the Baltimore and
Ohio have been allowed to make their own way
in the matter Of terminal facilities and depots
and franchise, this railway interest has never
been refused anything it demanded. There
fore when we say that its owners should aid
literally in giving Us rapid transit We are
simply saying that they should return to the
city some of the benefits they have received
from it
The discussion Of rapid transit has attained
such proportions that it is not in the power Of
Mr. Hustled or any combination or influence,
no matter how strong, to defeat it. Nothing
could be more unwise than to challenge tho
angry feeling that would be reused by its
defeat. The people Of this country are grow
ing sensitive, day by day, upon this question
OF the influence Of railway and other vast cor
porations upon our politics. Throughout the
Western country . deep, suspicious and not
altogether uniustifable feeling has been
aroused by the rapacity Of railway monopolists
who believe that the laws, the Legislature,
agriculture and the public prosperity gener-
ally have been made for their benefit and not
for the public welfare. Il would be a most
unfortunate proceeding for Dir. Hustled, and
those whom he represents especially, TO allow
the impression 70 gain ground that they arc
opposed to rapid transit. We cannot be-
lieve il possible that Mr.. Hustled has taken
this attitude. and yet upon what other theory
can we account for his action? lie is q skilled
politician, accomplished in the ways Of con-
ventions and in the management Of men in
the marshalling Of those peculiar influences
which control public sentiment. He is to
some extent leader in the. republican party
OF this State lie IS not, we believe, without
ambition, and, naturally enough, he will be
\ anxious 70 serve powerful railway interests.
7 But he will learn that to serve these interests
/ at the expense Of his duty to the people
would be to write his own political con
! demnation. There is no part Of this
State more anxious for rapid transit than the
county Of Westchester, which Mr.. Hustled rep
resents. The passage Of this measure viii be
largely to increase the prosperity Of West
chester and to enable that county to share in
the progress and growth Of New York. 1t IS
\ incredible that any gentleman claiming to
honestly speak for the wishes and wants of
the westchester people should put himself in
the position Of opposing rapid transit. This
motion to exempt Fourth avenue from
the proposed bill is mistake. Ii is
the beginning Of q policy Of Limitation
and amendment that will either destroy rapid
transit absolutely Or give rs q measure with
out life or value. What our legislators should
do is 10 pass the Common Council bill, pure
and simple; exempt no highways from the
operation Of its provisions but Fifth avenue
and Broadway; 70 throw the whole city open to
tho consideration of the Mayor and the Com
missioners to be appointed under this bill.
This done. the Mayor can 90 swiftly IA