New-York tribune., 1899-02-12
MANHATTAN PROMISES.

II would I've pleasant to believe that the vast
improvements in the operation Of the elevated
railroads which have been copiouSly promised
Of late are about to be accomplished, and that
the management is really inspired by that
licitude for the welfare of the community with
which it is officially credited Mr.. George
GOud's recent description of the attractions
which he had been authorized to provide. and
10 which his own Judgment and conscience had
irreVOCably committed him. was most aluring.
and public enthusiasm might have reached a
high pitch ere now if il had not been suddenly
tempered by Mr. Sage's announcement that
George liked to talk. but nothing had been de-
clded But Mr. Sage himself has lately seemed
10 derive considerable satisfaction from the cX-'
ercise Of his vocal organs, and IT Is possible that
the former has done less talking through his
hat than the latter
This view OF the matter finds some encourage
ment in the remarks addressed to the Board of
Health on Friday by Mr.. Gardiner counsel for
the Manhattan company. relative TO the nui-
sanceS which the company is maintaining in its
stations and elsewhere. Mr.. Gardiner discreet
" declined TO be entanClcd in the verbal diSa-
greements Of Mr.. Gould and Mr. Sage but
pointing confidently to the formal notice with
which the Manhattan stockholders have been
favored. he declared that all the evils com
planned of by III, Board Of Health would soon
be completely rcctifcd by the swift introduc-
tion Of radical changes in the operation Of the
companys lines. How much hope il Is reason
able 20 cherish under these circumstances we
do not know. Perhaps nobody knows. Rut
we cannot hclp detecting an old familiar strain
in Mr.. GARDENERS appeal for little longer toll
erance in consideration Of the improvements
which are impending. II is many moons since
that argument was first urged in response 10
demands that the Manhattan people should do
something 10 make their patrons comfortable
For years the company burned smoky, stencil
fol, sight-destroying lamps in its cars contrary
10 decency and at last to law the plea that
II would be a hardship to compel the use Of
gas Just when the company was on the verge
Of installing an electric plant That was a
perfect illustration Of Manhattan methods and
manners ard if the public now suspects the
management Of procraStlnaton the public Is
not 10 blame
Listen moment longer 20 Mr. Gardiner
"Assuredly." he says, doubtless with his hand
upon his heart, I'll cannot be 10 our advantage
"to maintain nuisances. whether they assume
"the form Of defective toilets IN our waiting
"rooms, unsantary mats IN our cars dust and
"clnders from locomotives. or dripplngs from
"the structure in Battery Park. Hence we are
mot only willing. but anxious 10 cooperate
with your Board in every reasonable manner
"to promote the health and convenience OF our
patrons and Of the general public" Right you
are. Mr. Gardiner II cannot be to your com
pany's advantage TO maintain the various nui-
sanccs which you accurately designate Indeed
vour comnany's unsatisfactory financial cOndi-
ton and the extreme dislike in which II is held
by this community largely due 10 the fact
that II has persistently maintained them. There