New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-29
KEEP OUT THE TROLLEY.

r. is cheering to observe that public opinion
aven in this excrucating weather is not alto
gether indifferent to the advances OF the troll
lev The newspapers of the city are generally
taking ND this threatened evil with intelligence
and energy and its advocates are making no
progress whatever In bringing popular opinion
TO their side This negative advantage is OF
considerable Importance, because their efforts
have been applied with great skill and per-
sistence for long time. Unfortunately, how
over it appears that they exercise stronger
influence in official circles than elsewhere. The
proceedings before the Railroad Committee OF
the Board of Aldermen on Wednesday were I'M
pleasantly suggestive. Thy reminded the com
munity that the public authorities cannot be
trusted to guard the public welfare unless an
overwhelming force Of public opinion is brought
to bear upon them. 1t was decided by the
committee, with only one adverse vote that
there should be no further public hearing and
that final papers in the case must be submitted
bv August IL This swift process is not TO be
defended on any ground. Even If the pro-
posed trolley roads were of undisputcd value
10 the community, there would be no pretence
that such haste was essential or even desirable
i ne DTdClltdi tAClu>i'H VI ''J'N''N''" W ''-N
projected cross town line from this date seems
to mean that the Railroad Committee is more
DESTROYS of pleasing the projectors than OF
serving the public.
We are well aware that the powerful syndl-
cate behind this scheme deprecates the sup
position that the trolley has been decided upon
as the means of propulsion, but those who have
followed this business most closely have reason
to believe that this, and nothing else, is the
real intention of the combination. We do not
pretend to say that these men intend TO employ
dishonest means of securing their ends, but we
do assert that they are not actuated by any
other consideration than that OF personal profit
They do not regard the public advantage. and
so far as we know, they make no such claim
They know that the trolley is an economical
device, and therefore they long TO introduce
il. and they will not be defeated if energy and
sagacty and ample resources Of one sort and
another can bring them success. But with all
allowance for their selfish sincerity, it bchooyes
the public to consult its own interest, and TO
bring against this forceful combination the
energy Of popular conviction and determination.
The danger of an invasion OF city streets by
this cheap instrument of destruction Is very
serious and imminent, and II Is OF great I'M
portancc that the people should understand the
situation. This latest scheme contemplates
cross-tovn line, running on numerous streets
and crossing the park in three places. Another
project, possibly still further advanced and more
extensive, has in view the operation OF trolley
roads underneath the elevated railroad struct-
ures. These two enterprises have one great
interest in common, namely, to secure foot
hold in New York for the overhead wire sys-
TEN. Once established to such degree 1t
could not be disodged nor kept from spread
ing except by far greater effort than is now
required to keep it out altogether. There Is
no argument in favor Of the trolley except the
argument Of profit to the owners. 1t Is I'M
slightly, obstructive, inefficient and dangerous.
This is not conjecture but fact, amply eStaD-
lished by experience through years OF trial
1t is a nuisance in any thickly populated city.
1t would be intolcrablc in New York. Keep 1t