New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-09
sExsE ARoUr RAPID TRANsIE

We were right, it seems, in believing that
the Rapid Transit Committee OF the keal r. Is
tate Exchange had been mirepresented' Inc
report presented by it to the Exchange IS the
most rational utterance upon the subject that
has made itself heard through any BODY OIL
citizens in a long time To the newspapers
which grow weary preaching the necessity
Of action that shall be intelligent and judcious
as well as prompt, common-sense utterance
on this subject looking to the actual doing OF
something and the doing Of it in the right
way. is absolutely refreshing.
The committee first pronounces against the
building of any more elevated roads. 1t de-
mands speed of at least twenty miles an hour
from Harlem River to the downtown business
portion of the city, and says that in order TO
obtain such speed the trains must run In
open cuts or tunnels, and upon substantial
yiaducts. The committee insists, secondly.
that the system must be adequate to the future
growth Of the city both upon the east ana
the west sides, including at least two main
lines. and upon each line facilities for through
and local traffic. In order to hasten the appli-
cation Of plans, the Mayor is TO be requested
to name a commission made up Of representa-
tives Of the exchanges and boards Of trade
together with engineers chosen from the De
partments Of Public Works and Parks and
elsewhere, who shall recommend rapid-transit
system applicable to the entire city.
The only criticism 10 be made upon this
plan appears TO be that it is six months, not 10
say several years, behind time. 1t would have
been far better If this action had been taken
so long ago that perfected plan for the new
roads could have been laid before the Legis-
lature at the opening Of its session. Now the
session is probably one-third gone, and the
commission is not appointed yet. If they work
with great zeal and diligence it will still be
difficult for them to complete report in time
| to enable the Legislature to act intelligently
upon IT, These are vain regrets, perhaps, but
| 1t is impossible not to wonder at the sluggish
inertia, in dealing with this matter, Of those
whose interests are most at stake and at the
meek endurance Of the New York public, which
is the most patient animal that ever bore a
burden or submitted to abuse without a muir.
muir. The amusing spectacle, however, Of the
people looking blankly and with open mouth
at the Legislature wondering what is to be
done about rapid transit, and the Legislature
looking blankly and with open mouth at the
city Of New-York, wondering what the public
wants done about rapid transit has come &c
an end. Somebody has actually said some
thing Now Il the same somebody, or some
body else, will actually do something, we shall
begin to believe that we are getting along IA
mously.
II ought to be possible for the Mayor to namC
a commission representing the various Ex-
changes, and including competent engineers
whose recommendations on this subject would
carry great weight. Such action would be, OIL
course, entirely unofficial, but it might be made
of great value nevertheless. II is to be hoped
that the Mayor will see his way clear TO com
plying with the request Of the Real Estate
Exchange, and that without unnecessary delay