New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-25
Rapid TRANSIT BIZ THE BRIDGE

The cars on the Brooklyn Bridge have been
set in operation after long and inexplicable
delay As no formal announcement had been
made OF the opening OF the Bridge TO traffic
of this class, and as the weather was unfa-
vorable, the throng of passengers was not large
at any time during the day, and there was no
difficulty in accommodating all who were anxious
to have the novel sensation of crossing the
river by rail. The general arrangements for
operating the cars were excellent. There was
no confusion; trips were made with regu-
larity; the provisions made for starting and
switching the cars were adequate, and the
general impression created by the first days
experience was favorable. There were mo-
mentary traces of friction at the start, but as
soon as the cars were under the complete
control of the cable they ran smoothly and
noiselessly. The Roadway during the greater
part of the day was nearer eight minutes than
five, although the managers expected that the
minimum time of passage would he thrce
minutes and the maximum rate five minutes
Probably better time will be made to-day,
and the cars will he run at shorter intervals
in order to accommodate the great crowds that
will undoubtedly pass the gates
II is not easy to understand why -four months
should have been required for the completion
of the arrangements for rapid transit by the
Bridge For aught that we can perceive, one
monitor at most two-ought to have suficcd
for the introduction of machinery and rolling
stock and for all the preliminary tests. Like
every previous stage of work on the Bridge,
the final process of construction has been
tedious and laborious and the causes of delay
have been wholly inexplicable. Apparently
the cars have not been running for the last
two months for no other reason than this
that it did not suit Mr.. Kngsley's convenience
or caprice TO have them put in motion for the
accommodation of the public. As a natural
consequence OF this inaction rumors have been
bruited to the effect that there was a great
deal of ppe-laying gong on deep under
ground with rapid transit managers and pro-
iectors in New-York and BROOKLYN, and that
combinations were forming for influencing
legislative action. Ii the directors Of the
Bridge suppose that The public will be con-
tent TO have the cars operated in the interest
of any outside corporations on either side OF
the river, they are, to use Shakesperian
word excessively fat-witted. The Bridge has
been built with millions upon millions of
public money, and must be maintained and
conducted for the convenience and comfort of
the people Of the two cities 1t stands 10y
itself, a broad highway between two great
centres of population. IL it be transformed
by secret combinations or political trickery
into chief link in any Coney Island or Long
Island system OF rapid transit it will not be
with the consent of the people on either SIDE
of the East River. The Bridge must be
operated economically and efficiently, and as
soon as possible the management must be
placed on popular basis. There must be
cheap as well as rapid transit. Five cents Tor
riding across the Bridge by rail is certainly
two, and probably three, cents too much