New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-17
A BLOCKADE N BROADWAY.
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF THE TICKLE
NESS OF THE CABLE

ANOTHER DEMONSTRATES OF THE Fl' hLf1-
NESS OF THE CABLE.
Another blockade occurie on the Broadway cable
road in the early hours of yesterday morning
From about o'clock until after o'clock cars were
stalled on the uptown Ire from Fourteenth-st. 20
about Forty -second-st The cause could not be
ascertained but is supposed to have been a broken
grip. These repeated blocks on the Broadway route
becoming a source o. serious and annoying IN
convenience to citizens. The s;oppages. which are
frequently Of long duration, are becoming so fire.
quent that passengers after paying their fare are
beginning .ook upon the possibility OF reaching
their destination without aggravatlng delays as
matter of doubt 1t is more than ever apparent
that the cable system is unsuitable for the heavy
strain o. the Broadway traffic. People who have
observed how efficient as compared with other
motor methods. is the underground electric sys-
tenn now in upon the Fourth and Madison-ave
route. advocating the equipment OF the Bread
way line with electric power
The directors Of the Metropolitan Street Railway
Company. while recognizing the advantages Of
the electric system. have not yet considered the
advsahy Of doing away with the cable.
Another constant complaint by Broadway travel
lers is that the night service is insufficient. and
that frequently fifteen minutes 10 half an hour
will elapse In the early hours OF the morning he
fore a car rolls along.
A. H. Vreeand. the president OF the company.
said 10 Tribune reporter who called AT his home.
No 27S West Eighty-sixth-st.. last night that no
thought could be given 10 the installation OF cleo
tr.c power in Broadway until the Second. Eighth
and Ninth ave. lines had been equipped. Replying
to other inquiries Mr.. Vreesnd said: The under
ground electric trolley in use on the Madison
line is working perfectly. and Is giving the
utmost satisfaction to the company and those who
use the route This motive-p power is undoubtedly
the best that has yet been introduced for the pro-
pulsion of streetcars. and when IN the course Of
few wears II has been developed and improved II
will efIectualy solve the problem as TO the best
motiVe-power for transit purposes In New-Y0rk
ready felt. Before they began running II was i'm
possible for people to find places on the Lexington
ave cars between the hours Of and IN the
evening Although the road IL completed only
far south Aston Place We carried yesterday
lust about twice the number OF passengers that
did that route on the CORES pondng day last
Aston Place and the Pos.ofce we have had many
engineering and mechanical difficulties 10 cncoun-
ter but by February the work will be finished.
Operations will then he begun on the other ave
on broadway Will he eNectually lifted. which Viii
mean that more satisfactory conditions VIII follow
that road"
Two suits have been begun against the Metropol-
ton Of other than Broadway tho Broadway
tracks. The actions based the recent de
csiOn 81 the Court Of Appeals in the Kingston
case. When asked about these actions. Mr.. Nree
land replied: They are rot causing Us any loss Of
sleep. The Kingston decision does not AFFECT us.
nor does Il have any bearing upon our system.
The decision relates only to the peculiar condi-
tons surrounding he Kingston action. and II was
distinctly pointed out ny the Court that its do
csiOn not 20 be taken as a precedent on rail
road leases and railroad agreements The judge
the case before them and that their judgment was
relovan; only to that case.