New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-21
THE EAPID-TRANSIT PLAN.


and scope of the Rapid-Translt biil concern
ing which there has been so much discussion
in advance. 1t would be difficult to over
estimate the importance of this measure Every
one admits that the most pressing need OF inc
metropolis is prompt extension ana improve
ment of the facilities for travel WITHIN us DOT
ders These advantages can be secureo Only
by n comprehensive scheme OF RAPID transit
This bill proposes to supply It, ana names 'iio
Commissioners upon whom is laid the response
hiIitv of securing to Newl ork sunclcht
system of swift transportation. These Ooni-
missioncrS are Mayor Grant, eX-Secre'ary
Fa;rchild. Charles j. Canda, Joseph }. ODono-
bue William l.. Strong Frederick I. Brown
and George H. Robinson This Commission
fairly rep,esents both elements IN the Demo
cratic party OF the four Democratic Oon',
missioners two are prominent ana lhhuehudi
Tammany men, and two have been lor years
conspcuousy identified with the Ole'eiahu
division. The three remaining members aro
Republicans. Tire Democrats thus nave ma
;or;tv. but Republicans cannot justly object 10
this. as they are so tar outnumpcred DIT
every election here by the Democratic Vo1erS'
This Commission cannot be CONSIDERED an
ideal one throughout by any means some o'
the names are entirely commendable. O'herS
have never gained reputation 0y puoHc SUI
vico II is not necessary to parucWarlN'
r,orv ,,oIl-informed New Yorker will be able
20 eono,,to the two classes in the Commission
at glance. 49,.
rho most striking Characteristic of this
nlan is the tremendous power which 1t gives
IL.
was introduced year ago the proceeui"E>
of the RapidTra Commissioners were
10 be submitted TO the Commissioners oi 'n'
Sinking Fund. As Tammany controls uc
Sinking Fund Commission and the haP'a
Transit Commissioners were TO be appoih'eu
~ T,mmanv MAYOR. that would practically
have nut the whole enterprise III inc hahu> %
Tammanv. Certainly this bill Is vast I'M
movement on the Mayors scheme IN mat par
ticular. The taxpayers OF New lOrk "ou''
bo extremely impatient under any leGiSia'oh
which wtlld aggrandizc the already excessive
rower Of Tammany. TO this Commission Is
subs,artiollv committed the task OF laying out
r,n;d- transit routes and carrying Oh all inc
rocossarv preliminary work for the new rail-
,oad lines 1t is true that the consent OF inc
stpdv If the details of the bill shows that tha'
is not likely TO prove serious opNIa'ic' Ms
,ohomo nronoses. as the Mayors bill did 10
get the largest possible return to the Guy io'
the valuable franchises and privileges ""''u
II i intended to confer on the men VINO WI"
buiId and control the new rapld-tIanNt routes.
The privileges will be put mp at auction anu
,horo Is no doubt that the sale will result al
handsome receipts for the city treasury
Tho measure has evidently been drawn Win
oro,, dol;be,atjon and care. and with a pur-
mise Of meeting all reasonable criticism III
some quarters efforts have been made 10 us
credit il in advance by asserting that II "o""
sacrifice Fifth-avo.. Broadway below MADISON
Souarc and public parks OF ineSumable Vaiue
20 our citizens. This was wild and whIrln4
,oll, The bill especially exempts all pubic
marks Fifth-aye. MadisOn-aye broadway De
low Thirty -third-St., and f0urh-aNc' dpoN'
rortv-sccoud-st. 1t will allow the Rapid Tran
sit Commission to give authority 10 the PrcS'"'
elevated railways TO make certain extensions
and additions to their lines. y strong defence
may be made OF this part OF the scheme no
necessities Of the city are Immediate ana SER
ous and Ncw-YorlS will not be contcntcd 10
wait until new company has time TO Dull!
now lines. Yet there Is grave menace III
| danger in this section Of the bill. Inc 'oih-
missioners will need all their Sagaclty' al 'hcir
Judgment. all their public spirit to determine
inst how much they ought 70 grant TO the Man
haitian Elevated Railroad. and how much they
ought TO refuse.
The bill undoubtedly has many merits and
Il
rotiort toll has been lavi>hcd upon every de-
fail of the problem which now conironts inc
chief city Of the country. It's projectors h'lN'
oyrectnd 10 meet the most penetrating scrutiny
prolonpcd study may possibly discover defects
in il that are certainly not apparent on inc
surface. II will no doubt be probcd with tho
most exhaustive search both by it's friends and
| lis enemies II has 50 much TO commend i
that il is extremely probable that the Legs
latue will adopt it. 1t may be said mat
stronger Commission was possible ana yet II
| oucht 10 be borne in mind that many GU
izcns whose names carry more weight ana IN
Guopce than those of the majority OF the COM
missionc,s named would not consent TO under
take 81 crushing burden Of responsibility
Tho Commissioners will have an opportunity e
g.ip lasting distinction. and if they succeed II
relieving the appalling congestion and obstruc
tion which now clog and delay the movement
of orr citizens uptown and downtown, they
will do service to this community such as NJ
NIayor or public officer of New-Iork can pos
sibv surpasS They have every incentive L
annlv thcmselvcs-if this bill becomes law
with unremitting diligence, earnest sei-sacrl
Gco and highest ambition 20 their Stupendou
task.
FLAGS FOR THE SCHOOLS