New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-19
HOW MoNoPoLIEs EDUCATE TIE PEOPLE

HOW MONOPOLIEs EDUCATE TIE PEOPLE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The Tribune was unusually happy this morning
in its treatment OF the new electric enterprise.
which. according TO Nj Whitney. is "to prove Of
great benefit the people OF the city-the price OF
electric lighting Will decrease at east 30 Der cent
In order 10 realize the immense public service
these phanthropists Of New-York and Philadelphia
are contemplating must not overlook the edu-
cation OF tho citizen in his duties toward the State
and his fellow-men. The Metropolitan Traction
Company. for example. has a franchise for which
II pays-or does not pay-so many dollars year
10 the city. In the playful and benevolent way
characteristic OF one OF Dickenss famous person
ages the company took from the city. besides the
privilege Of substituting underground trolley for
cable quite face either side Of the tracks for
conduits in which will repose the Surplus power
that Ny Whitney intends giving away at 30 per
cent less than cost
carry with it the right TO supply electricity to
toners who need it for light. heat or power.
Of 1895 in passing the Eldredee bill. among whose
ecceuuicites was the expression OF right 10 dis
sangulne as PecksniN himself and before January.
1890. the millennium Is expected with due allow
ance for delay until the end OF the legislative ses-
sion or lss In securing the passage 90 OF the I'M
"The Evening Post" thinks Mr. Whitney public
benefactor and the prospects OF immense gain 10
charge any sin Of omission against these traction
men. But the education Of the public goes on.
The permit Is given Tor n change OF system and IS
awaited OF 10 lay pipes for something The company
cannot lawfully do Pipes are a.so laid for making
this lawful
The education Of the public Will advance further.
after the plans Of the 100000 company are ma
tured and the surplus power stored In the con-
Quits for whose construction there no author
ity and sold by the Traction Company. which had
no right 10 sell IS peddled out 10 citizens who want
10 warm their hands, cook their food and read
their newspapers by the aid Of electricity
Suppose that 1907 there is block on Broad
way. Lenox Amsterdam. Columbus and Lexington
nves-caurse the Surplus supply" has given out.
The fluid acquired for tho trolley and ndispensa-
bic TO the rapid movement OF the cars has been
conveyed 10 hotels. apartments, Offices and
Kitchens all OF which would be In darkness. and
would remind the occupants Of Iceland but for the
benevolenoe Of Mr. Whitney. How can these phi
lanthropists be everywhere at once? Their private
and rernunerativ contracts with individuals and
corporations must be kept even though every car
on every Metropolitan line is stalled II was mis-
calcu. alton. II was thought thar the extensive
demand for electricity" by the cars would cease
at o'clock. The demand" endures until T. but
there Is supply,
We'll well the patient public must walt and learn
that NJ Whitney and his friends are entitled 70 me
profits In their SO 900 ep0 though the heavens IAN
Ana thus is the pubic educated to the standar1
OF the Law Eff
New York Dec H. lhH