New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-18
NEV HOPE FOR RAPID TRANSIT

The Introduction In the Legislature OF bill
to lcgalize and promote the execution or MI.
IIcwitt's plan for rapid-trapsit railroads buiit
with public money and owned by the city af-
fords ground for congratulation and encourage
mcnt We heartily welcome this new depart
urc in search of the relief which has been need
ed SO long. As a melancholy experience mas
shown the prime essential in the carrying out
of such an undertaking is that II should be
nut in the hands of competent and Trustworthy
men. If the citizens whom the bill associates
with the Mayor and Controller for this pur-
nose are not competent and trustworthy we
might us well give up once for all the habit OF
Judging men by their records So far. then, as
the Commission is concerned, the confidence or
the community has been secured ut the outset.
I'non the details of the bill nobody can pro-
nouncc a valuable opinion who has not given
,hom more careful consideration than has been
possible since they were made public.
az the main features OF the scheme we SIN
ccrcly APPROVE circumstances and conditions
being what they are. One thing at least has
been demonstrated by the proceedings or the
present Commission, namely, that IL ought To
be nut out of existence with the least possible
delay Another thing has been pretty well
established and that is that the mscries from
which the people of New-IOrk now suffer for
want of adequate transportation facilities are
likely TO continue and grow worse indefinitely
unless the municipality which represents the
people intcrvcncs in their behalf. If that rca-
sonablc belief has not been concusivcly estab-
lishol. nevertheless in our opinion, it would be
foolish to- wait longer for further proof. The
city impcrativey requires rapid transit. and the
city can better afford to furnish the means or
securing it than to keep on hoping year after
year for the presumably unatlainablc.
In common we think. with many others we
are somewhat disappointed 10 find that the
bill leaves the proposed Commission free To
choose almost any type Of rapid-tranSit road
il pcascs We have supposed and still sup
nose that the projectors Of this scheme TO
whom we owe the bill now before the Legis-
laturc. have in mind only such underground
routes and modes of construction and opera
ton as Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Wilson have de-
scribcd 1t is also to be assumed that the Com
mission is expected TO work out the problem
ON those lines and the latitude which the bill
gives NAV be justified by legal or other ncccs-
sarv considerations. 1t is chiefly in view of
the dangerous possibilities which the unccr-
taintv of life involves that this large liberty
of choice suggests some misgivings. TIL" rights
and interests of the city. rs well rs of ndiVld-
uals whose property may be required for public
PURPOSES appear To be securely guarded as WAS
TO be anticipated from the professional stand
inc and official experience of the lawyer who
drew up the bill; and far as II Is possible
TO Judge prior To a full discussion, which may
develop some defects the measure Is an excel
lent piece Of work. The present situation,
therefore, as regards rapid transit. may fairly
be called hopeful. That anything has yet been
practically guaranteed only the OverSangulnc
can suppose. Three years ago there was much
iubation over the beginning Of what was fond
w deemed to he an energetic and straghtfor-
ward movement in the right direction, but the
iov was soon turned into mourning, which has
lasted ever since
The happy possibility OF getting rid OF The
present Commission suggests a grateful rccog-
milton Of the eminent service which one mem
Der of it has rendered to the city. From first TO
last Mr.. John III. Starn has done his duty with
unfailing firmncss and sagacity. The Commits
sion was Gcarcd to turn out a product agreeable
to a Tammany- Manhattan combination OF spec
ulators, and the community is under an i'm
merSc obligation 10 Mr. Starin for It's salvation
from that fate. He has baiel ingenious wilcs
resisted constant pressure, upset many selfish
calculations and finally, as it now seems safe
to believe, kept the way clear for a rational
and honorable undertaking in the interest Of all
the people. 1t would have been Of great adj
vantage to the city if his services could have
been retained, and if any one Of the gentlemen
named for the new Commission should decline
to accept the burden we hope that Mr.. Starin
may be induced to take his place.