New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-16
FOR TO ADD MIRE."
THE HORRIBLE CONDITION OF FEW OF
THE CITY Sr,r, rrrr1rc

THE CITY STREETS
II does not do much good to talk or to write
about the condition OF the New-York streets but It
serves to show that the speaker or the writer still
marks Them, that he has not forgotten that there
are fairer things than New-York streets. and that
he has not yet been ground into the mud so deep as
10 oe beyond the power of protest. And there is
some cheer in this, for II contains the germ of
hope for the future. But how long2 How long?
The streets around Clinton Hall had been torn up
for repairs at the time OF the Astor Place riot on
May 10, 1912 and the mob threw paving stones at
the soldiers. and there has been no rest since:
is there any reason to believe that the beginning OF
IL was then or that the end OF II is near.
This is the first that has been printed In these
columns about the state OF things caused by the
change of motive power the lines OF streetcars
running through Forty second-st, Long Acre
Square and the Boulevard. But Nature has been
kinder TO New-York in the last few weeks than its
government its corporations, and It not TIL
these last two days OF snow and rain and fog. and
all things damp and sticky. that the full horror Of
life among the trenches was realized.
II is really impossible to tell whether Forty
second-st. is one side up or the other from Third
ave. 10 Broadway. and II is certain that the west
side Of Long Acre Square is wrong side UP. The
earth that is dug out OF the trenches is thrown
up on the sides and then spreads itself all over
the street and there seems to be no thought OF
cleaning the street while this condition lasts. And
IT looks il IL were always 10 last II is one of
those things that have the effect OF total paralysis
on the Street Cleaning Department. II there has
been street cleaner in that part OF Forty-second-
st. In the last two months he is man who ought
to make a fortune in any branch Of criminal in
dustry that he might choose. because OF his skill
in getting through so long a space without leaving
any trace OF his presence.
1t was heartbreaking thing last night and the
night before to people-and especially people
with skirts-getting into and out OF the cars IN
Forty-second-st. and Long Acre Square where
railway stations and hotels and theatres are. and
where some of the people good clothes In
spite Of the danger Of running them by riding in
those cars at all. The cars stopped except
alongside a mud puddle But indeed that was not
the drivers fault for there no other place to
stop.
All! WELL the old people can remember when'the
excavations for the present Broadway road be-
gan. and the young people can remember when
the road was finished and so, perhaps, this VIII
be finished too. and then 1t will be a delight TO
have fresh new. brightly lighted electric cars in
these streets and this square instead OF the pres
ent ones which painted white apparently at
about the time Of the Aston Place riot, with the
express purpose as it would seem. that they might
the better show their half century accumulation OF
ding1ness. Horrible second thought: VIII the COM
pany put on cars. or will It ut the present
ones with electric apparatus and keep them going
till they are destroyed in some new riot?