New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-31
VIII NEXT?

''''-t --~---------------
WAIT NEXT;
Tho belief of capitalists that the underground
system of rapid transit proposed by the Ooih
mission would not prove proii;a"ie investment
* plainlv expressed in their failure o. va LOT
,be franchise on Thursday. Ihr Unite re-
iec+ion of plans which have been labouously
,noturcd has been anticipated By many OF our
shrovdest and most experienced men "a d"'''i>
aver since the detail, Of the scheme were m"H'
rublic. They have not disguised per ''1h-
ions AVID their diStruSt. which has NOT he'''-
sorilv amounted to active opposition has ha'u-
,,uy Influenced others who might have taken
a favorable view OF the project, and has thus
diminished It's original chance OF acceptance.
No--or.r the mere existence Of rival Interests
frrnlv iutrcnched and commanding anr.e 'c-
sources. has produced a strong impression and
o,,.t.d fine fears Of investors. Il the NanhW-
tan Company, in particul2'' has Ao' a"'" so'''/''
the enterprise directy it has nevertheless eAe'-
csed q powerful adverse influence.
While solution of the transportation prob
lon doubtless seems TO many further on than
eve before, 1t is proper to say that the HapIo-
Transit Commissioners have dIScAaESe~ Itel
tasl, with perfect fidelity and integrity. And
it Is pleasure to add that in tho first moment
Of disappointment which they may perhaps
deem rather humiliating they are showing
spirit which does them special credit. AeI
tboDcbt that the underground system combined
moro advantages than any other, but they are
not inhexible. Speaking for himself ana ms
ooleagucs. Mr.. Steinway says that the Com
mission has not exhausted its resources ana
talks choerfully of alternative plans which are
already under discussion
II is desirable to look the situation squarciy
in the face. with full realization Of the TACT
that its difficulties are enormous. Whatever
plans may be suggested hereafter 1t IS certain
that no one of them will give universal satls-
faction. Every conceivable scheme for sup
plying that of which all concede the necessity
will arouse opposition in some quarter ana be
omen 20 lust criticism. All that VIC can hope
for is the invention OF plan having more
merits than defects. When we have found
way of multiplying the transportation faclitleS
of New-York which the general sense OF the
community approves and Of which capital Is
not afraid we shall have accomplished all that
any reasonable citizen can expect 1t Is not
difficult to soc that an elevated railroad OF the
least offensive type, rlnning from the Battery
straight I'D Broadway and the Boulevard and
operated by electricity, would at least serve
the main purpose OF carrying passengers swiftly
from one end of the city to the other and prob
ably combine numerous important advantages
But such d proposal would encounter deter
mined and bitter opposition Oh the part OF
property owners and tenants and would an
tagonize strong popular sentiment OF PRIDE
in q famous thoroughfare 1t has been sug-
gested that the construction OF an elevated
road over the Harlem tracks from Forty
seconds northward, with viaduct or tunnel
connections to the lower end Of the city, would
be feasible and generally satisfactory But
such a scheme would involve manifold com
plications at the Harlem River and elsewhere,
and the coIpo ations whose approval and active
co-oporati,n would be essential have never
shown an inclination to prosecute any RAPID
transit enterprise. In the opinion OF not a te"
persons who have given much thought to the
subject a solid viaduct through the city blocks
will be the final solution Of the problem As
regards solidty, pNmanence, speed, security
and sichtliness that plan suggests undoubtcd
advantages. But the work would be OF colossal
magnitude and cost, and there are more OBJ
staces in the way than this generation could
able TO enlist strong popular and financial sup
port.
Mr.. Steinway announces that the Commission
will now undertake to devise a system Of elc-
waited railroads on both sides of the island.
MANY if not most New-Y Workers will learn with
regret. we think that this is the next best
thing in the opinion of those to whom the task
OF finding a way out Of our present troubles
has been coniided. Tho elevated roads now
in existence have not endeared themselves TO
the people OF this city. They are not pleasing
to look upon nor under the conditions which
commonly prevail, are they agreeable to use
But it should be remembered that the worst
evils which they inAict are capable Of being
lnitigated And then as we have said, no
possible means Of relieving present necessities
can be perfect. The good we look for must,
in the nature of things, be largely alleged.
The Commission however, can guarantee the
public against most Of the abuses to which 1t
is now subjected. The use of electricity As a
motive power can be required and that alone
would be an immense advance upon the present
system But we are not now inclined TO adyo-
cate the construction Of new elevated railroads,
or indeed any other plan. When the Conn
mission has worked out second scheme there
will be time enough to commend or condemn
if. We have thought il well, however, to re-
mind the community that it will finally have
10 take what it can get if it desires 10 take
anything.
FLOUER AND Maynard.