New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-11
TIE AISTERDAH-AvE. FIGHT.

The opposition of citizens living in and near
Amsterdan-ave. 70 the occupation OF that fine
thoroughfare by four underground trolley tracks
has not been diminished by the rebuffs to
which they have been subjected and their fail
ure thus far TO accomplish practical results.
On the contrary. such experiences, and above
all the actual beginning Of preparatory work
by the Third-aye. company, have stimulated
their zeal and added important elements Of
strength TO the opposition. 1t IS an e1tIaor-
binary thing that clcrgymen Of conservative
temper belonging to several different denom-
nations should have taken the question into
their pnlpits last Sunday and urged their con-
gregations 10 carry on the contest with unhag-
gng ardor. There Is other satisfactory evil
dence that the railroad companies have hard
or fight on their hands than they anticipated.
and the jaunty cir Of their spokesman probably
does not correspond 10 their real feelings. We
have no positive means Of knowing that the
work Of excavation which was suddenly begun
a few days ago by the Third-ave. company was
IN violation Of virtual agreement with oppos-
ing prOpert y-owners, but such Is said 10 be the
case by men whose assertions are usually ac-
ceptcd without any discount. and perform
ance OF that sort Is quite In keeping with the
practice of railroad corporations when they are
appreheDsive Of legal difficulties
II Is certain that the courts are about to be
invoked and the hope is that an Injunction
may be obtained which will enable the oppos-
ton 10 prove that the Thlrd-ave. company at
least, is exercising a privilege to which 1t has
no valid right. There is respectable legal au-
thority for the opinion that not enough con-
sents have been obtained by that corporation
TO sustain lis operations. some OF those which
II exhibits having been illegally given or exc
cuted This argument may prove 10 be III
founded, but there appears to be enough IN it
10 demand a full examination and judicial
determination OF the matter in the general pub
lie interest. There is no doubt whatsoever that
heavy cars moving rapidly on four tracks at
frequent intervals will be a source Of great and
constant danger in Amsterdam-ave. and seri-
ously impair the comfort OF its use by persons
on foot and In lighter vehicles. The character
Of the avenue. the fact that there are many
schools and churches in and near 1t, and the
existence Of a big water main beneath lis
surface would render Its occupation to the ex-
tent proposed by lines OF troley-cars verltaDie
calamity in the opinion OF n multitude or per-
sons whose judgment deserves 10 be respected
and whose hostility 10 the project cannot with
any show Of derency be attributed 10 seinsh-
meas In fact as II seems to us, they are set
ting an excellent example Of civic spirit. If
similar intelligence and earnestness had been
shown In years past in the matter OF public
franchises NewYork might have escaped mary
misfortunes and obtained an immense revenue
from lucrative privileges bestowed on corpora.
Hons
One Of the most exasperatDg things nbout
nais case 10 the obstinate refusal OF the railroad