The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-22
RAPID TRANSIT.
IT'S MORAL AND SANITARY EFFECTS.

ITS MORAL AND SANITARY EFFECTS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your issue or the 10th inst. appears an impor-
tant and appropriate Introduction Of u new phase
OF the now popular theme OF rapid transt-to Wit,
Its sanitary and moral aspect. AS participant
IN the hearings before the Aidermanic Committee
Oh Rapid Transit, accept your implied censure
1or overlooking this important branch OF the SUBJ
Iect. l am glad your influential columns have
rescuedlt and II accorded space would make
amends by emphasizing and ampfsng 1t. and add
ing collateral branch OF the same subject, not
embraced In your article-to wit, the injury 10
passengers and employees OF street roads. In health
and morals. AS the health and morals OF our
citizens are Intimately related to taxes and real
estate values fuller presentation OF th.s subject
snould interest taxpayers and property own.
ers. Health anu morals have ever be- accounted
among the wsest economies, and the economic
interest OF the city Is but The aggregation OF the
economic interests OF oil It's citizens. That 1t oud
be I'm immense sanitary Improvement for passen-
gers 10 exchange the sow.golng dusty, noisy
lOathsome. vcrmln0us chilling. nllghted, ill.ven-
tnated, crowded and iatigung street cars, with
their straps and mantraps IN the shape OF plat
Orms, with their continuous crops or colds. rhen
Matisms, pneumOnias, cOnsumptiOns and con-
laglons. for the elegant spacious, com ortable.
warm aud wholesome coaches OF u weii-appOinted
rapid transit railway needs only to be stated. ms
contrast Is alreauy furnished Ia the luxurious
oI me Greenwich Elevated Railway, and the pup.
lie Attests its appreciation by lal &c ana growing
provenent every one who has sister.
we or daughter liabe to the contain
mating influences ana iamuiarities OF "a a
robbery and drunken ruifansm, Is ready to
acknowledge Indeed, IT IS olticulr TO exaggerate
The positive suffering that now much Vi the Tine,
Accompanies our present modes OF transit; whie
rapid transit win aord to the tired mechanic, the
n; RI
Alun. Investiga.l0 lion would show that many OF the
cases OF the now prevalent pneumouIas are III.
rooms, offices and manufactures to Inc chilling
street car.
Rapid transit win. Internationally. multiply
maunold the number OF clean airy, spacious aud
cheerful homes, empowered amid flowers anu gar
uens. by peopllng tue untenan.e ed wastes Ut upper
New York, the new warus and lower westchester
with the pent.up population OF our tenement
houses, and wlil renoer them duly accessible in
less time and far more easily and comfortably
tnan now requisite 10 reach most portions OF the
:'y. A declued portion OF our taxes are levied
Tor the support OF invalids, paupers and crlm.
mails. Rapid transit, BY removing our youth rom
the temptations VI the crowded centres, bv furnish.
Inc deadly, pestlence laden air or tenement
houses lor the wholesome, vltallzing element OF
The suburts will very scnsi0ly diminish sick.
cess, pauLerism. crime ana taxes. IL Will mutt
ply homes IA lieu OF ienemcnts; owners IN lieu OF
tenants manly Independence Will succeed
servity; the sanctItv ANA privacy OF nome. the
molanz.ng ccmmtngllng oil different iamllies.
great majority OF business men Tor business.
diversion, physical ana mental Improvement ana
domestic concerns. all conducive 10 health ana
longevity. win present modes OF transit in the
morning q business man must bolt bis breakfast,
and SO Invite indigestlOn; then suffer an hours
martyrd0m. balancing himself with straps, and
when dumped near MS place OF business Is too
fatteued TO enter with proper spirit or serenity
upon he duties Of the day. In the evening the
fatigue Ut the day Is Intensified by another work
Ing passage Ia the street car, aud he is en-
uttered and united ior the domestic hreside.
Rapiu transit Will nterpOse IN lieu Ut this briel Out
agreeable intervals VI lelaxatIon.
In proportion as population Is distributed over
larger areas Will the air IN the denser districts be
purified, crowded tenemenls renewed Lie gen.
eral neullh improved una the death rate dlmin-
ished. Fltlated AIR IL the most e1icient factor and
dissemtuat0r OF epldemics, disease ana death.
Recent and rigld Investigations In London, by an
eminent physician and scientist, have oemon-
treatment or wounds and injuries has percep-
iioly grown more difficult, tedious and unsuccess-
lull. aud cpdemics ana contagious stay longer,
spread further aud are more dll1cult to eradicate
than formerly. In summary way must say
that rapid transit, IN It's sanitary and moral as
PEGS aione, VIII directly lessen city taxes by re-
moving one OF Its rul.lu causes, in lifting large
classes OF dependent citizens into higher plane OF
tnriit and independence, und transforming manv
tax OnsumIng into tax paying citizens; and thl'
independently OF the reduced rate OF taxation due
Reciprocally the same cause WILL ecouomiZe the
time OF I'LL our citizens, and nsuring to them
greater health, safety and serenity increase their
longevity and efficiency, and so lar enhance their
ability TO pay their taxes
q. E. PETERSON.