New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14
HiGH TIME FOR ACTION.

II is difficult to believe that the haplu Irdn>i'
Commission is making the welfare OF the city
its principal concern. At all events if it desired
chiefly to promote the interests OF the Man
haitian Company and the political ends OF Tam
many Hall, it would have done precisely what
il has done and would be doing just what it is
doing. On that theory its proceedings are
shrcwdly Judged and sOundly taken. On any
other they are uninteligible. When the Com
mission began its work the need for rapid tran
sit was pressing. Now it is desperate; and
vet 8, slow are the Commissions movements
and so dcpcndently docs it lean on the present
elevated company, that the actual accomplish
mcnt of the work committed to its charge
seems as remote as ever and almost as prob
lematic. 1t backs and fills and trims and tacks
to meet whatever breeze the elevated people
choose to blow while Manhattan stock Is moved
ND and forced down in Wall Street to the eX-
ceeding comfort of the spectators ana poll
ticians ON the inside" This has bad look.
1t compels the public to suspect that its most
serious necessity is being used to enable
powerful ring of Wall Street operators and
Tammany bosses to mslead investors, and that,
too. as a mere introduction to the granting OF
concessions which will place the Manhattan
Company in possession of all available routes
without assuring either fair financial return
to the city for the privileges made over or
satisfactory scheme Of rapid transit.
The Commission was organized for the we'll
understood purpose of dcvisng plan by which
rapid transit should be obtained in a measure
sufficient for the city's immediate requirements
and in form that would admit OF develop
ment and expansion. And this Is precisely
what ii has not done 1t consumed two years
of precious time in the consideration of ques-
tons which inspired the hope that it meant to
reform lis full obligation, only to bring for
ward at last q plan that capitalists would not
touch. Then, as if in despair, it turned APP
pealingly to the Manhattan Company IL IS
difficult t. separate these two circumstances
difficult to convince rational people that the
plan advertised was not adopted in the eXpecta-
ton that nothing would come of it and the way
be thus cleared for the Elevated. There can
be no doubt that well-formed and we'll
handled combination Of Manhattan owners and
Tammany bosses has existed to bring about this
situation. and whether the Commission was It's
tool, or its dupe, or its victim. the combination
succeeded. The people are not soon to obtain
rapid transit. The best and the most they can
now look for is an extension OF the Manhattan
system a schedule of quick through trains, and
in some other respects a slightly improved ser
vice.
And even this, which ought to lie an accom-
paniment Of. and not substitute for, rapid
transit, which ought to be compelled as a
public right and not sued for as favor, is
being considered and discussed between the
Commission and the Elevated people with a
wearisome tangle of propositions and counter
propositions, demands and compromises, con-
cessions and exactions, the effect of which Is
bewildering and the conclusion of which seems
hopelessly remote Its purpose only is plain.
The Manhattan intends to obtain the vast and
splendid privileges under consideration at a
cost as small and with conditions as to the
| quality of the service as few and unsubsantlal
| as il possibly can accomplish 1t relies upon It's
power over the politicians. 1t relies on the
| fact that numbers of them have been enabled
| to make fortunes in Wall Street on the rise and
fall of its securities. 1t relies on the strength
of favors to come of the same kind for which
preparation has been male by gradual drop
of fifty points in the value of Manhattan stock.
If the Commission yields to its opportunities, II,
indeed there is not an immediate and proper
ending of all this delay, mystery and mock con
| tentOn, the Commission can hardly expect to be
| looked upon as anything else than the catspaw
If the Manhattan ammany combination. lis
duty is plain. 1t should require the elevated
company 10 choose between an immediate carry
ing out of the published plans, with > per
cent payment to the city Oh its annual receipts.
or public letting of such another contract as
will secure the same ends. The dilly daily
policy should stop instantly. Every day of it,
continuance adds to the scandal and wrongs the
public. The Commission has looked too little
to its duty and its honor. 1t cannot afford to
take any more chances with either.