New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-05
BROoKLYNS NEED or RAPLO TRANSIT.

BROOKLYN'S NEED or RAPID TRANSIT.
The necessity of rapid transit facilities in
Brooklyn is becoming more and more apparent.
One elevated road is nearly completed and VIII
probably soon be in operation; but 1t VIII
meet only small part OF the demand. Com
plants regarding overcrowded horse-cars are
numerous and loud, and the city authorities
have been asked to compel the principal street.
car company to furnish additional accommodate
tions. The company answers that rs all its cars
have to go up and down Fulton-st., diverglne
thence at various points, it is practically i'm
possible to rim more cars. The truth Is thai
Brooklyn has grown and is growing so fast that
the transportation of the large numbers of peo-
ole who live in the outer districts and do bust
ness either down town or in this city can no
longer he accomplished by street-cars. Ele-
waited rapid transit roads are an imperative
necessity.
Various projects have been started to build
elevated roads in the last half dozen years, but
only one has been built thus far and that as
we have said, will accommodate only limited
region. The conformation of the city is such
that the solution of this problem is not easy.
From Fulton Ferry or the Bridge terminus rs n
hub, the city extends out like the spokes of
wheel and any rapid fransit linz will neces-
sarily be patronized only by the people living
within a comparatively short distance on either
side of it, Hence n high rate of fare must be
charged and In any case the profits on each
line cannot be enormous. To supply the wants
of all parts of the city a considerable number oil
elevated roads will be needed.
The plan which promises the most speedy
solution of the rapid transit question is that of
the Brooklyn and Long Island Cable Company,
which allowed one franchise already secured to
lapse few weeks ago because the conditions
exacted by the city seemed too severe. Re-
Gently application was made to the Common
Council for renewal of the franchise on more
favorable terms. There did not seem to be
any good reason why these terms should not be
granted, as the penalties provided for non
fulfment on the part of the company appear To
be ample The route laid out is from the
Bridge through Adams-st. and Boerum-placc to
Atlantic-ave. and also from South Ferry along
Atlantic-ave. to East New York. The COM
pany asked for the privilege of putting its road
in operation as as it is built up Atlantic
ave- as far as Flatbush-avc., where connection
will be made for a time with the present steam
railroad at the same time plcdging itself to con-
time building its elevated structure eastward.
This request was not unreasonable, and the
franchise has been granted The carrying
ont of the cable comDany's scheme will accom-
plish two things it will be long step in the
direction of giving rapid transit to Brooklyn
while rendering Long Island and Coney Island
more easily accessible to New-York than they
now are and it will remove the present steam
road in Atlanlic-ave., which has cost many
lives and seriously impaired the value of prop
erty These results cannot be brought about
too soon. But the Brooklyn authorities must
insist that the conditions on which the franchise
is granted are strictly observed. so that by no
loophole can the company shirk its obligations
and gain an advantage at the expense of the
citv