New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-02
EapID 1EANsIr OR SLOW TRANSIT

RAPID Transit OK SLOW TRANSIT
John H. Starin is a strong bulwark Tor
the Boulevard. lie is firm and stcadfast in the
interest of the people of NewYork As against
the schemes and encroachmentS of the Man.
haitian Company. If he sticks where he stands
and refuses to be moved he will take fore
most place among the citizens OF the metropo-
lis lie is resolute and obstinate and his OBJ
stnacy is exactly Of the temper which New
Workers will be glad to acclaim and applluu
lie has set himself like rock against the
plan, Of Mr.. Spencer, Mr.. lnman and MI
Bushe to surrender every public interest 70
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Manhattan Com
many. New-York can never obtain true rapid
transit from the Manhattan co'poratloh' WIN
its millions of watCrcd stock. with us SLOW
trains, and with its determination To make
money in Wall Street rather than III the lesi'i-
mate DEVELOPMENT of lis traffic. If this com
pany had ever shown disposition to sacrifice
any immediate advantage of its own in oidor
TO confer some benefit upon the community the
o+.;tude of \ew-Ycrkcrs toward it might be
different. But it has been managed with the
500 uurpose of insuring is dividends and in
crcasing IFS revenues with the least possible
delay. no matter how serious might De 'he
uublic discomfort caused by its methods AMI
policy and there is no reason why NeW-l orK
ers should feel inclined to grant 1t anything
without the amplest assurance OF satisfactory
return.
II is a very narrow, callOus squint-eyed
policy which has been pursued by this Man
haitian corporation since it obtained control Of
the elevated lircS in the metropolis. us man
aecmcnt has been seeking all the time 10
squeeze the ultimate percentage OF proht ouI
Ct the immediate nickel, rather than 10 look
TO tEo future for the most generous reward
for liberal concessions TO the public. IL
j. thoroughly unpopular. 1t has never
tried to conciate public sentiment or
TO deserve public approval by seeking TO 1ur-
nish convenient and comfortable transporta-
ton So far as it could furnish this with the
facilities at its command. The bar
gain between Tammany Hall and the Man
haitian management. by which the people OF
New-Yor were to be given over entirely TO
the scan.y mcrcics of the Manhattan managers,
has aroused the l;eenest Indignation throughout
the city. This bargain might have been car
ricd out but for the stubborn refusal OF MI
Starin to betray the interests Of the citizens
of New-lori.
II is note of encouragement which Mr.
Starin has sounded. He says that underground
rapid transit still has some prospect OF success.
The capitalists who are interested III the capture
of everything IN the city for the Manhattan
Company have tried i'll every way To dis
courage investments in any enterprise which
could interfere with a monopoly OF social 1t
,apid transit by that company. If certain men
possessed Of immense fortunes and vast re-
sources who are interested in the Manhattan
III nor0ly had not assumed menacng att
tude toward the underground rapid transit
s,hcnc il j. probable that tae plan originally
adopted by the Rapid Transit COMMISSION
might have secured suilicicn, support 10 bring
about practical results. These capitalists VINO
are interested in the Manhattan lines desllc 10
keep rapid transit i'll their own hands. The
public might not protest with much anger
against thi, sort OF monopoly If the manage
ment really attempted 10 put on a. many
trains a. possible on the elevated lines,
and tried 10 nm them NJ "A reasonable
rate of speed. But the attitude assumed
by the ManhattanS representatives before the
Rapid Transit Commission, and the failure OF
the e,e,ated railroad managers t. satisfy even
the moderate expectations of the pcopl" III Tn"
number and speed Of trains, have convinced
New Workers that the Manhattan management
will never give this city anything r9Scmbl ing
genuine rapid transit.
In these circumstances the declaration OF
Mr.. Starin that the underground system may
still be carried through, and that the necessary
capital for it can still be raised will be wei
coined with enthusiasm by public spirited New