New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-03
THE 4NSTERD4N-AFE PROTEST.

Citizens living on and near Amsterdam-ave
are still keeping up their energetic and com
mcndabe fight against the installation OF -four
electrician tracks along that thoroughfare, but
apparently they are not making much progress
OF course they are greatly embarrassed by the
fact that the railroad companies had carried
their arrangements far toward completion be-
fore the present opposition developed much
strength. Naturally enough though most I'M
fortunately. the evils now 80 obvious were not
foresecn in time to prevent the bestowal OF
privileges which It Is now difficult II not IN
possible TO withdraw. At the hearing yester-
day In the Aldcrnanc Chamber the president
of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company
said with an air Of assurance, that those whom
lie represented had no interest In the matter.
inasmuch as their electric line in Amsterdam
ave was in full operation and could not be
interfercd with; and 1t was apparently conceded
that the other road. leased by the Third Ave
nue. Company has obtained the municipal and
property consents required for the completion
of its plans. That nothing In the way or q
revocation OF permits by the authorities that
granted them can reasonably he anticipated
was clearly shown in Mayor Van Wyck's re-
mark previous to the meeting that the only rc-
course Of property-owners was TO the courts.
1t occurs to us that there Is municipal de-
pa-tment to which in years past the opponents
Of four-track construction In Amsterdam-ave.
might have appealed with strong hope or as
slstance and IT may be worth while. even I'M
der this administration, to invoke Its authority.
The Board of Health has great powers. and
when 1t chooses to exercise them firmly 1t gen.
orally accomplishes its object. The Metropoli-
tan Traction Company was quite confident, so
long as It had to reckon only with public pro-
tests and Grand Jury presentations that MOTH
Ing could be done to prevent the slaughter or
Innocents at Union Square: but when the Board
of Health took hand In the proceedings the
company found that It was practicable TO run
around those deadly curves at safe rate or
speed In that and many other cases the Board
has held and shown that Its powers were
ample to protect the people from dangers ana
nuIsances which corporations ana in1lvduals
were not disposed 10 abate. II Is now repre-
sented by many Intelligent citizens who look
much further than their own personal interests
that four trolley tracks In Amsterdam-ave VIII
inevitably establish conditions OF serious peril
there. in addition to all the other objections
which they urge. and we therefore advise them
to lay their case before the Board OF Health.
II Is possible that the Board would not coz
slider itself authorized to take ccgnlzance OF
evils not yet actually in existence. 1t Is pos
sble also that II would refuse Or neglect for
other reasons to interfere. It must he al
mitted. we fear, that the people cannot rely
so confidently as they could formerly upon the
Board of Health for protection from abuses
1t lately denounced. with much vlgor OF phrase
and seeming decision Of purpose. the swiftly
increasing production OF soft-coal smoke IN this
city; but little or nothing appears to have been
done TO preserve the purity OF our atmosphere
for offenders are many and bold. But II can
do no harm. while not negectlng any other
possible chance OF relief, to bring the Amster-
dam.ave. matter to the attention OF the Board
Of Health. The effort TO protect that fine street
from unnecessary and unreasonable encroach
ment certainly ought not to be abandoned. Be-
yond a doubt the transportation companies
could II they would, operate their lines with
two tracks. They have agreed to such an ar
rangpment elsewhere. and they ought. II pos
slblc to be compelled to do so there.