The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-12
ON THEIR GOOD BEHAVIOR.
THE BRIDGE TRUSTEES AFFoRDING
GROUND ron HOPE

President Howell Himself win Advocate
Reference OF the Transit Problem to
Board or Transportation Experts
Public opinion has made itself felt even by
the Trustees OF the Brooklyn Bridge. At to-
days meeting OF the Board President Howell
will advocate n reference OF the whole trans
portntion problem to q Board OF Experts to be
appointed by the Mayors Of New York and
Brooklyn. There is little doubt that the trus-
tees will adopt the suggestion. Whether any
thing will be done toward securing temporary
relief from the pressure during rush hours on
the bridge remains to be seen. 1nasmuch as
the bridge engineers confess themselves un-
able TO suggest q remedy. 1t would be wlso
thing to call In the aid OF outside expert adj
vice upon this point, also. President Howell
talked more sensiby about bridge affairs on
yesterday than ever before. He said:
Personally, think that as long as there IL
any doubt entertained about the ground that
has been assumed by the trustees We ought to
have all the Information about the possibilities
OF the situation that We can get, and while l
have the utmost confidence in our own en-
Gineers. l do not see why we should not
have others. from the outside. II 1t Is desired
10 go over the ground and give their opinion.
1t is grave problem. and whatever is
done must be done right and done for
all time, 1t was at my suggestion that the
amendment to the Bridge bin. providing for
the appointment OF board OF experts was
added, and l see no reason why we should
not have experts at any rate IL the bill did not
pass AS to who should appoint the experts
should think the Mayor Of New York and the
Mayor Of Brooklyn would be the proper per-
sons. What the Board OF Trustees would sayto
that, OF course do not know. They may think
1t is In their own hands, and conclude 10 make
the appointments themselves. II experts are
appointed, however. hone they will be practi-
cal men who are acquainted with the REQUIRE
ments OF operating the bridge trains under
very quick Roadway. and not bookworms who
know the theory of the business only"
The Brooklyn papers which have advocated
the displacement OF the present management
Of the bridge. have all Joined with THE Sun in
urging the trustees to comply with the public
demand for safe transit, and all guarantee to
the Board full credit for whatever they may
accomplish in this direction. Upon this point
the Standard Onion says:
There is sound sense In the advice that the
controversy over the Bridge Extension bill be
not permitted TO interfere with any plan
which 1t is possible to adopt under existing
circumstances for making travel Oh the bridge
safe and convenient
There is. or should be no politics In the
most immediate question involved OF course.
1t would be less difficult to solve the question
OF bridge travel with Board OF three experts
in charge Of the bridge management but much
can be done. II the right spirit prevails. by the
present Board OF Trustees They have more
light than they had q month or three weeks ago
on the subject. and they know now Just what
kind OF management OF the bridge the people
would have 4 their Just demands had been
complied with.
las q matter OF fact. the trustees as body
have been managers OF the bridge only IN
n n n
concentration OF power without concentra-
trustees take on the responsibility rs we'll as |
the powerE II they cannot devote the time to
p FG a enterprise of the sans me- naSnitude.
why cannot they appoint Board OF three ex-
SR Se bf to ds a
venient?. There Is reason to believe that this |
can be done with the powers now possessed
:. The Brooklyn Times, in an editorial entitled t
= :. A. An AppenI to Caesar" thus addresses Presi-
You are the Board. For what it has done
are Sng SmGst
good deeds you are praiseworthy. The Legs-
ature, which had been appealed to by, the
united press: public and Mayor INs Of Brooklyn
Whether you stuffed the cotton in its ears, how
much share you had in defeating the public
inquire Your responsibility has been tenfold
office. The people will with the more reason
look to you for remedies il they credit you
with the defeat OF the bill arranging TO take
rom you the responsibility
Learn wisdom by your former Ghastly mis-
AXE and when you have got the report OF your
experts act upon it. Do not discredit their
plan by false estimates. and then object to it
rs expensive. Do not adopt one OF the plans
which they may condemn as dangerous and in
efficient- This is what you did before. and the
public and press will watch you closely for
possible repetition OF the offense. Can you
wonder at this Can you complain?"