New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-07
THE HAYHATrAps OPPORTUNITY.


The committee report made to the Chamber
of Commerce on Thursday respecting rapid
transit was drawn and signed by those who are
open and avowed friends of the elevated rail-
road companies and their projects. But some
of the things which they said respecting those
corporations are pertinent, and deserve favor
able consideration. In fact, If the elevated
railroad companies would carry out fairly and
in good faith the suggestions of these ingenious
advocates on their behalf, there would be little
difficulty in their obtaining the approval either
of the Rapid Transit Commissioners or the pub
lie for the most of the additions to their lines
and facilities that are urged by this committee.
For instance, the spurs to the ferries, the
Centre and Canal ST. connections, and the West
ST. addition may all well be granted without
interfering with the complete and compre-
hensive system of rapid transit that the com
munity is looking to the Commission to provide.
At the same time, these extensions would doubt
less lessen the difficulties and annoyances that
arise from the inadequacies of the Manhattan
lines while the greater and more comprehensive
systems were III course of construction, and
would serve in the future as the great connect
ing links between the main arteries of travel
and transit.
If it were not for the unfortunate experience
of the past the public might be willing to be-
eve from the tenor of this report, signed by
such prominent friends of the Manhattan Com
pany, that the officers of that corporation would
not seek to obtain these privileges in defiance OF
the rights of the community and individuals.
While permitting the elevated roads thus to
occIpy our Streets" say the committee, " they
should, however, be willing to pay fair share
OF the public burdens in taxation, and where
private property is injured they should also be
obliged to compensate the owners thereof"
Even the most enthusiastic advocate of these
companies would not contend that they had
exhibited an extravagant degree Of this DISPOSE
ton in the past But in no other way could
they so easily secure their reasonable purposes
or allay the hostile feeling that prevails against
them. 1t is fair to say that the present man
agement has at times within the last year mani
tested spirit of greater fairness in its dealings
with the city and in its recognition and pay
ment of the claims Of many property owners
injured by its railroad. But it must also be
admitted on its behalf that in the same degree,
or rather in much larger measure, has it reaped
the benefit of this policy, by the relaxation Of
the antagonism in the public mind that has
been the greatest obstacle in the way of its
attaining even the mildest form of additional
concessions. The Manhattan Company, if dis
posed to treat the rest of the community with
justice and fairness, can obtain any reasonable
privileges that do not conflict with public or
private rights or with the construction of more
adequate and comprehensive systems of rapid
transit But If it shall persist in standing de-
family refusing to recognize any rights in con-
ilict with It's own interests, it will still find ar
rayed against it a sentiment that no skill of
counsel or ardor of Jealous friends will be able
to cope with or overcome.