New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-13
4 RAPID-TRANSIT TEST.

The work of the Rapid Transit Commission
ers is about to be put to a practical test by the
offer Of the franchises at public auction Their
report was approved last June by the men whom
/ the Supreme Court appointed to consider it,
/ and in July that approval was formally con-
frmed by the General Term. Since then poll
tics and the public health have engaged pop
uar attention to the exclusion of most other
subjects of general concern, and scarcely any
thing has been said or known about the recent
labors which the Commissioners have directed.
But the task Of making detailed plans and
specifications has gone quietly and steadily for
ward and it is probable that within day or
two date for the sale of the franchises will
be fixed.
Though other interests have diverted atten-
ton from the particular project of the Com
missioners the imperative need Of new trans
portation facilities must have been constantly
impressed upon the people of New-YorlI during
the summer and fall. The situation grows
worse steadily and rapidly, as all who are COM
PEELED to endure it can testify. Complaints
may not multiply in the same ratio, for human
beings can be educated t. bear misery as well
as appreciate and demand comfort. The en-
ployes in a boiler factory learn to ignore the
din, and men and women who used TO be in
dignant and to say 50, because they frequently
had to stand i'll public conveyanceS, and were
generally pushed and punched and stepped OH
and half stuff coated in a vile atmosphere have
become SO accustomed to these complicated an
noyances and expressions that they have ceased
to some extent to beWail them audibly. They
are not reconciled to them. but many are tired
of protesting. and many have become more or
less callous by the constant friction Of hard
conditions.
But the least gloomy and fretful citizen must
realize, when he takes time TO think, MOI only
that the measure of misery and loss now in
hicted on the community cannot be endured
forever, except through d,scredtable failure
Of popular pride and sagacty, but also that
the conditions will inevitably grow worse until
they are radically changed. Some temporary
relief may follow the advent of cable power on
Broadway and ThiId-avc. and the audacious
operations OF the Manhattan Company, but these
enterprises do not pretend to furnish a sOlu-
ton of the problem which has vexed New ork
s. long Comparatively minute accretlons AMI
changes OF this sort will leave the main queS-
ton lust where it was before. Some new and
great and elastic system must be provided, and
this is what the RapdTranst Commissioners
have attempted t. devise. They have expended
a great deal of time and effort in the public
service and are amply entitled to public graft
tude. Whether or not they have labored in
vain remains TO be seen.
We have never believed that the plans adopt
cd by the Commissioners involve any insur-
mountabe difficulties Of execution. Modern
engineering is constantly demonstrating its
ability 10 overcome obstacles far greater than
those which this proposed combination of tun-
mel and yiaduct pres nts. Fundamentally the
problem is one for capital t. decide II in
veStorS believe that the enterprise will be
profitable. engineers viii prove that it is feas
IDLE Among those who are capable Of dis
cusSing such matter, in'ellgonty opinion seems
10 be divided a, t. the willingness of capital
ISIS to engage in this gigantic undertaking Now
that the test is so soon 10 be applied. il is
scarcely worth while 10 hazard prediction.
There is no doubt, however. that the test is
welcome. If all the labors, calculations and
harangues of many years are destined 10 leave
the problem unsOved, it is desirable to asccr
lain that fact as soon As possible. For in that
ca e a solution on other lines must be attempted |