New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-14
BROOKLYN'S GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

The Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company ap-
pears nj last 10 have acquired control or the
Nassau Electric system Of street railroads as 1t
has for some time been trying to do. and as the
people Of Brooklyn have hoped 1t would do.
Nearly all the surface railroads Of that borough
are thus brought under one management IN
what Is one OF the most extensive city pas
senger railroad systems in the world. 1t ex-
tends from Flushing and Jamaica to Fort Ham
ilton and Coney Island, with some 800 miles OF
track and 5000 employees, and carries each year
about go, 900 600 passengers. The greater part
Of the great Borough Of Brooklyn Is dependent
upon II for local transit and It's influence upon
the growth, business and general welfare or the
borough is incalculable. These facts make the
deal one Of the most important Incidents that
have occurred for many years with respect to
local transportation. Its results VIII be awaited
with keen interest by the people Of Brooklyn,
and with not a little concern by those OF the
other borouehR-and. indeed, of other cities all
over the land
Beyond doubt, II affords great opportunity
TO both Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company. Perhaps the latters oppor
tunity Is mere obvious than the formers. Yet
public opinion and the legal constraint OF public
interest are forces not without avail In that
borough, as the Long Island water business OF
a few years ago and the more recent "cofhn-
carr agitation well testify. 1t rests with the
peoDle OF Brooklyn to determine, 10 a consider
able extent, whether this consolidation shall
prove a blessing or Il curse TO them. 1t must
almost certainly prove to he to their advantage
in some respects. 1t Is not conceivable that
under the new control the Nassau lines can be
as badly managed as they have been. In brutal
contempt for public comfort and safety, and In
all odous elements, the Nassau management
has been unique and unapproachable. The new
| management must give n better service. But
even the best OF the existing lines of the Brook
lyn Rapid Transit Company are not by any
means what they should be. They have the de-
testable overhead trolley. which should be put
underground They have open platforms on the
cars, which should be at least partially Enclosed
| In winter These and other improvements will
come in time But the time may well be quick
ened by 1udiclous and perseverng action on the
part Of the public
The opportunity before the company Is great
beyond expression. The company has hence
forth almost a monopoly Of the field. 1t has
subdued It's rivals, and can prevent the arising
of any others 1t has 1t in its power TO make
for itself financial profits so great as to stagger
the Imagination. And at the same time 1t can
give to Brooklyn n service that Will be a monu-
ment and model for the whole world. The
plan OF the city and the prospects Of It's growth
assure such possibility. Here in Manhattan the
plan of the city Is such as 10 doom surface and
elevated and underground roads TO competition
with each other. 1t is not so in Brooklyn No
system OF elevated roads is likely ever TO serve
anything like as large proportion OF the Dor
ough as the Manhattan system now does over
here. The surface roads can extend perfect
network Of lines throughout the entire county,
and enjoy practical monopoly OF the field.
The question the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany now has to answer Is whether II will aim
! ut giving Brooklyn the best possible service OF