New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-12
PROPOSED MANHATTAN EAIENSlONS.

NEWCOMERS generally now appear to eN-
pect that the Rapid Transit Commission Will
grant extraordinary privileges and immense
extensions TO the Manhattan system. 1t is not
likely that there will be any persistent and
formidable opposition to such grants, provided
that the people become convinced that new
spirit has entered the Manhattan councils ana
that the present managers OF the system nave
experienced an entire change OF heart NO one
can dispute the obvious truth that the elevated
railroads have not hitherto been managed with
the purpose of giving the public the largest
measure possible of quick, efficient and com
Portable service. The chief ambition of the
Manhattan directors hitherto has seemingly
been to get hold Of Battery Park, and to gave
its patrons as poor service and as little com
fort as it could well supply. Many OF the d.
rectors of the elevated roads who were di-
rectors when the strongest efforts were put
forth to ruin Battery Park are directors now.
Il will REQUIRE overwhelming evidence to satisfy
the community that these directors have seen
new light. and will devote themselves here
after with a single mind to furnishing New
York with as complete and satisfactory syS-
TEN of swift and convenient transportation as
it is in their power to furnish.
If the elevated railroads arc to be extended
and expanded the guardians of the public in
terests should see To it that not single foot
of additional space in any public park is sur
rendered to them. The city should receive
satisfactory compensation for the enormous in
crease in traffic and in profits which must fol-
low the proposed extensions. Pledges, guar
antees, steel clad contracts should be exacted
on the part of the city. that the best service
possible shall be afforded, and that the public
treasury shall receive handsome percentage
of the receipts from the elevated lines. 1t Is
clear enough now that Tammany Hall long ago
decided that New orll should not have new
and adequate system of rapid transit and that
some of the members Of the Rapd-Iranslt
Commission came to the same conclusion. In
this matter it is evident that the city cannot
hope for whole loaf for many year to come.
But can it trust the elevated railroad manage
ment to give it anything softer than Belgian
blocks? The rapid-transit problem is very far
from solution. The present commission is not
now in the least likely to solve il satisfactorily
The baffed, perplexed, deluded, deceived and
indignant people are almost ready TO accept
even the scantiest measure of relief from any
quarter. Tammany Hall Will do nothing Tor
the public benefit. The Tammany city govern
ment cannot be trusted. And in the Rapid
Transit Commission obviously the Manhattan
influence is altogether too potent. The needs
of the city are urgent. Swift trains OH Suits
are dangerous experiments. But travel in the
air is all that NEWCOMERS can now look for
within any reasonable time. If tho Manhattan
management will be satisfied with per cent
assured dividends on money actually expend-
ed, will give up attempted raids on public
parks. will manage the property as the Penn
sylyania Railroad is managed with the deter
minaton to give the best possible service, will
aim TO improve the system as permanent in
vestment and not as bubble for speculation
in Wall Street, the city will at least secure
some advantage. But the outlook is not en-
cOuraging.