New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
DANGEROUS CITY CROSSINGS.

The pers Of the crossings Mt several places
In Broadway are on the Increase. AS the city
grows the mutltudes OF visitors who 60 TO and
fro within its borders and the hosts of men
women and children whose homes are here and
who earn living here are rapidly expanding
Hence the massing OF crowds at various points
in the most important business thoroughfare OF
America becomes constantly n more serious prob
lem with which 10 deal. Thirty years ago. in
the era Of the stages Broadway was so damned
with vehicles that they often became packed
In blocks which stopped all progress. sometimes
for an hour or more The cab!e-cars have done
away with tedious bookings OF trucks and
wagons. At all hours OF the day and night
these cars force their threatening way without
long pauscs except when some accident hap
pens to the cables Drivers who can make use
Of other streets do not flock to Broadway so
eagerly and IN such throngs rs they did before
any cars were seen in the chief street OF the
city In the sixties II was a task OF such dill
Guilty and danger TO cross Broadway ut fulton-
st that an iron bridge was set up for those who
wished to pass from one side TO the other I'm
pressive and extensive have been the changes
since then. but many Broadway crossings sui
provoke fear and trembling In the hearts OF the
timld and are full OF menace 10 all who are
not wary, cool and quick.
1t is true that the uniformed Anaks OF the
police force do valiant service IN protecting
youthful. coIncly and dalntily appareIed mem
bers OF the gentle sex from wanton motormen
and evil-mnded drivers. 1t IS true also that
most Of the good natured giants who guard
some Of the Broadway crossings do not shrink
from giving helping hand 10 the weak and
aged Of both sexes II they are not too busy
with the care OF bewitching maidenhood. But
much larger troops OF parolmen. are sorely
needed IN parts OF Broadway both downtown
and uptown. The platform men who are anX-
lous TO make good time with the cars md the
drivers who are in hurry pay little 9eed 10
the troubles and worries OF anxious and ner-
vous people who are In dread OF being run
down In the Borough OF Manhattan the po-
Ice payroll now reaches an enormous total. and
the patrolmen are counted by legions. At
several Broadway crossings the protective
guard should be strengthened. Many more
sentinels can be used to advantage. The series
OF perilous crossings where no policeman Is ~
hand IS mn evidence Of neglect by the Police
Department OF a most important public need
anG n - plain that al Wall-st. Fulionst.. Mail
u.
:. irty -fourthst aud Forty-hfth-st. the uni
formed guardians Of the feeble and unwary
should be mustered in force Before the cable
End electricity were used FOR surface cars N This
metropolis The woes and alarms which were
encountered In crossing Broadway NJ Twenty
third, Thirty fourth and Forty-nfth sts. were
much less serious than they are nj present
Journeys from one sidewalk 20 another nj those
places are now almost as exciting and disturb
ing as the effort TO hnd a path through The
dense Jam on the platform 81 the CITY Hall
station ~ the Third Avenue Elevated Railroad
IN the rush hours Isles OF refuge would be
exceedingly useful IN New York, as they are
IN London But until get our isles % refuge
II is the urgent duty OF the Police Department
to put more policemen on guard AZ the danger
Gus Broadway crossings.