New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-03
AMSTERDAM AVENUE.

The opposition to four trolley tracks in Am
sterdam-ave has at last obtained momentum
which is dangerous to the plans OF the two cor
noratiOns concerned. The appearance of mutual
antagonism which they have adrOtly kept UP
throughout the controversy no longer decelVes
anvhodv. On evidence furnished by the stock
market and otherwise. il is commonly believed
that the Metropolitan Street Railway Com
many is preparing to absorb the Third Avenue,
but however that may be they are working IN
perfect harmony to defeat the bill which would
prevent them from occupying more than hair
the width of a street only sixty feet wide.
The meeting in Lenox Lyceum on Wednesday
evening was not very largely attended but lis
effect is not to be measured by the size Of the
audience as members of the Legislature who
are beginning to be submerged by stream Of
admonitory letters from the metropolis are
already aware. So long as protests were ut
tered only in this city it was comparatively
easy for those who preferred to listen eX-
clusively to the representatives, OF the rail-
roads TO shut their ears to other voices. They
will find 1t harder TO do so hereafter ana III
the end they will be forced to perform their
duty If the opposition persistently presses us
case
There has been something extremely suggeS-
tive of familiar experiences in the long Sc
ouestratiOn OF the Amsterdam-aye. OH. u
has had from the first the earnest support OF
virtually every interest in this city except the
railroad interest and even the municipal au-
thOrities including Mr.. Croker, have taken
pains to he quoted IN its favor, and as express
ing deep regret that the matter had passed out
Of their jurisdiction. But week after week the
Senate and Assembly committees have kept
nosscsson of the bill, refusing every appeal
for report with a quiet, uncommunicatve
persistence which it has been exceedingly DIN
cult 10 account for on any ground credltaDie
- tho mon who have controlled the situation.
However explained, that sort Of stuOoornnesS
Is most offensive. Too often 1t Is meeKly
borne. as if there were no way OF inducing a
proDcr frame of mind in members OF the Legs
latrre so affected. But there is n perfectly
legitimate and thoroughly effective way. II
was exhibited at Wednesdays mass meeting
and is being adopted by large number Of de-
termined citizens, and it has already begun to
nroduce salutary results Of which Senator
Ford took advantage yesterday.
There has been no desire for a snap 1udg-
mont in the Legislature on this business y
fair fight in the open and an honest victory
for one side or the other have been sought ny
the representatives Of paramount public rights
in public street 1t has been the hope of the
railroads TO smother their opponents and win
by trick Everything now indicates mat
they are going TO fail. They certainly VIII II
tho pressure which has been brought tn bear
IS raised to the proper power IT Is not pro
posed 10 infict any undue hardship upon the
companies They want to operate Tour tracks
with q separate right Of way for each. So That
they can run express cars on the two interior
sets. and they pretend that this arrangement
is essential 10 the welfare Of the people whom
thov are eager 10 serve. The people are against
them 10 a mGn. insisting that they shall inter
lace their tracks 50 as to leave the owners OF
Amsterdam-avc reasonable space 10 move IN
and fair margin Of safety They don't want
that fine thoroughfare 10 be monopoliZed by
swift railroad traffic or converted INTO q
SLAUGHTER house And they don't mean that y
shall be subjected TO either fate by stupidity
or rascality at Albany. at least until they have
had hearing.