New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-27
NOT LOST.

Somebody supposing himself 10 be wag re-
Gently advertised the loss of the Rapid Transit
Commission. and offered liberal reward for
its discovery Thereupon the president OF the
Commission, Mr.. Orr. promptly made its where
abouts and condition known but magnani-
mously declined 10 put in claim for the re-
ward. The fact, of course. is. as he said, that
the Commission has proceeded as far as for
the present it can proceed in the performance
of the task assigned to it, having adopted plans
for an underground system Of rapid transit
and obtained the Supreme Courts approval OF
the form of contract Then the scheme was
brought TO standstll by the municipal adj
ministraton's determination to hold that the
debt limit had been exceeded. and consequently
the Commission. having taken the proper and
unusual course Of stopping its expenditures,
retired temporarily from public view. II is.
nevertheless in existence. is still animated 10y
the spirit of zeal and fidelity, and is prepared
10 resume its activities at the earliest possible
moment
If the Tammany administration, which has
undoubtedly learned some things during the
year now clos; with respect TO the Public
Library. for example and perhaps also the
public schools-is really in mood to consult
the wishes of the people. II will not long main
tain lis present attitude toward the only fcas-
ible scheme of rapid transit which ever has
been or is ever likely 10 be devised for the re-
lief Of NewYor pressing necessities. The
general appearance of things indicates that the
debt-limit brake is about to be taken of the
wheels Of progress. The Mayors recommends
ton Of another East River bridge and various
other signs of what is under contemplation in
the official mind, together with forecasts con-
bn al, 81 40
erty. justify the suppositon that the work Of
municipal improvement will shortly be revived.
Under these circumstances it is not wholly
inconccivable that the administration may be
induced by Overwhelming evidence Of a public
demand TO reflect whether il is worth while
10 hold up rapid transit much longer for the
beueft Of the Manhattan Railway Company
and from considerations o. political and pecun
airy advantage 10 the organization.
A great deal mas been done within the last
four years 10 develop the surface railroads Of
this CITY and the results Of their extensions
ard changes Of motive power combine to fur.
nish the strongest kind Of proof that swift IN
derground transportation is an Indispensable
necessity The people thought and by a great
majority OF their votes declared IN 1894 that
UNDERGROUND roads were essential TO their com
fort and prosperity, and we are convinced that
If they had chance To record another verdict
now IL would be still more impressively record
cd 10 the same effect The multiplication OF
surface road facilities has not met the con
stanily increasing requirements Of the meiropo-
lis The demand stIll far exceeds the supply
and there il no reason to believe that any pos
sibc development, Of surface and elevated lines
can solve problem which grows more urgent
from day TO day. There has been great deal
Of audacious defamation on the subject. but
not one particle Of evidence has been adduced
70 show that the people have changed their
minds since 1891 They then asserted by Q