The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-01-11

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sr: Mr.
Erasus wimAn 10 known to be very prisng md
energetic gentleman quick to apprehend opportunities
for lucrative investment and ndOmitabe In the pursuit
OF practical objects lie undoubtedly the quail
ties OF leader In very eminent degree; but no Is
merely shareholder in the Staten Island Rapid Transit
Railroad Company and as such would decline to accept
all the responsibility for its management. That he
be- credited, however. with its principal achievements
thus far Ia fact generally and chcerfuy conceded by
his associatss something which may be admitted with
out derimsnt tn the organization.
But what is this staten Island rapid transit railroad
enterprise of which the public has recsny heard so
muchi OF course, 1t Is . scheme to MAKE money But
i'.amsthilg more than a scheme Tor making money;
na % .t pa. Sss ito n
population and wsa, with other .ubu- ban loeai,es
Jgrsss While Union Eases ana Hudson conntiss We're
ss ssf hassf Sc, Gr TO ns
Ing disparity Which should long snss nave aWssensa IN
Staten Island las been nssce.sSs Wnis The suburban
minutes from New Rshnd county svsey s be
visited only at Intervals Of an hour AMI except along
rekst, old staten Island railway. 1t was hardly
this was Its only It's greatest disability Tho
Island has ben .hal out from railway
magnhcsnt water front almost he best the entire
R5 1.Sx Soa ne s'ni s .. .aS
w But for its s"s Fertile
81. R..: s.ss ;:
s s :. NJ fas Ss ~
accessible than Richmond county, and none de.
enterprises Bridges across Staten Island Sound for
which bills are being considered before Congress will
permit lions with all the trunk limo railroads In
New Jersey and transit to New York viii be rapid and
frequent When these objects secured Staten Island
to make the least OF reasonable expectations will adj.
vance as rapidly ss any Of its neighbour Its
under the stimulus Of enterprise will double in less
Mother point too, which should not be forgotten.
fsssedly crowded Tho want Of direct commun alton
between the water front and tho railways leads to
enormous waste In handling merchandise. and enter.
prise IL nnay awakening to the possibility OF remedial
Inn roysinsnts But the new railway across Staten
Island leads not merely from Elizabeth and Perth Am.
boy 10 Tompk insve II leads also when the work Ia
cometed according 10 the conception TO Brooklyn and
This enterprise whatever the motive of its neeption
promises TO become bensncont public improvement In
70 results The criticism on tbs methods Of the Rapid
business rivalry, personal Jealousy and the cupity Of
property holders disappointed IN awards for damages
VIII alw ays provoke; The claim that the people the
north shore OF the island Indignant fare
has been restored may bs mat ~ the decla alton that
the rates are now at TIC minimum maintained during
many past years and that tho Indignation, It exists
able 10 that u mus nrst DO made worth whe 20
10 staten Island al all, before reduction can bs
Teasonh ~ asksi. A- 10 the charge that tho North
shor, Ferry contributes little nothipu ~ the 70
rived th' oueh the lease OF the staten Issnd Railway
counts against tho opponents NJ renun-rlty. rates
They can hardly expect the ferry TO bs maintained for
chartsbis purposes But the Norih Shore FERRY 10
probably more prOnlabio than IL suspected though 10
not pronIaos enough to carry passengers less than
sesh lsrAssH ISLAND