New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-12
DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE.

The new grip of the Broadway cablc-cars
shows how easy II is to accomplish the impos-
sible. When the public first demanded that
something be done to stop the slaughter at
Union Square 1t was announced that The de-
sired change was impossible. If the city would
surrender Union Square for a tunnel or cut all
danger would be avoided. but a siower cable,
or any device enabling cars 10 20 around the
curve slower with the regular cable. would
disorganize the whole system and paralyze
traffic The company was very sorry, but 1t
really didn't see but that the people might as
well walk uptown if 1t could not hurl its cars
around Dead Mans Curve But the people and
the newspapers kept nagging. much to the COM
panys Indignation. and finally the Health Board
took a hand in the discussion. and 10. a new
grip, with device so simple that the wonder is
it was not used years ago. carries the cars
around the curves with perfect ease and safety
at as slow rate as may be desired, and with
out the slightest congestion Of traffic The i'm
possible is accomplished, the people are happy.
the cablecar operatives are able to work with
out their hearts in their threats. and the COM
pany is proud Of having done what 1t knew it
could not do.
Now that the struggle is over and the fight for
human life has been won. there Is no need OF
complaining over the past attitude Of the railroad
officials. We call attention to the case to point
q moral for the future not to be unpleasant
about the past. The officials did what human
nature prompts other men 10 do in SINH
lar circumstances. 1t may be allowed that
they really thought the public demand unrea-
sonable and one that could not be satisfactorily
complied with They had not perfected the
present grip. and they were quite able to assume
that they would not perfect IT, That is the rule
the world over Men do their best when they
have to, and are fully convinced that something
less is their limit until forced to extra excrton.
Every abuse Is beyond remedy when first com
planned Of A good trolley-car fender did not
exist till the law compelled 1t to exist. The
deadly car stove had no substitute till Jail
stared railroad directors in the face. and for
years the passengers in the elevated trains were
told that the gloomcompelling apologies for
lamps there used could not be improved upon
by the same men who point with pride to the
recent introduction Of gaslight system long
operated elsewhere. The same tendency holds
sway in other business and in politics. Inertia
and vested interests make Improvement some
thing TO be avoided. The old method is always
chung to until competition or outside pressure
forces the use Of new one. and then the new
one is invariably discovered. Necessity is truly
the mother Of invention. but the inventor never
fails beforehand to be at enmty with the ne
cessity.
The experience Of the Metropolitan Traction
Company should not be wasted on other cor
porations In this city. The transportation. SER
vice here is far from perfect. and the com
panes are all too ready to assume that II can
not be made perfect IL they could be induced
to listen with more open minds to the sug-
gestlons of defects they might Introduce i'm
provements which would profit them in the end
and gain them public favor whereas by walt
ing TO be forced to action they create preju-
dice which deprives them Of due credit for the
good things they may do and cannot fail 10 in
jure their patronage II is great deal better
to give the people conveniences they have hard
" felt the need Of than tardily yield TO their
demands for improvement ca. angerlng them