New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-29
A pTBLTN BENFFIT.

The prospect that the Municipal Assembly
NAV soon grant the franchises for the proposed
Long Island Railroad Tunnel is one 10 be re-
ioiced over by every man who desires the i'm
provement Of the rapid transit facilities Of this
city Next TO the rapid transit railroad tunnel
the length Of this island stands in importance
the opening Of this line Of communication under
the East River It is not merely a new Brook
lyn bridge, important would ne the addition
to the number Of avenues between the two
boroughs. It will give it IS true, a new line to
Brooklyn. thus dividing the congested traffic
and adding greatly to the comfort and conven-
fence of passengers But It will do something
more. 1t will bring all Of Long Island 10 our
doors and open up what New-York so greatly
needs. tract suitable for country homes &C
cessible from the business section of the city
without repeated transfers and changes from
car TO bridge and bridge to car and car to rail
road train.
What blessing It would be 10 hundreds Of
men who work In lower Broadway If with three
or five minutes walk they could secure com
Portable seats and be whisked by electricity
through tunnel and out on Long Island with
ont change. A man has no such privilege now,
and he is not likely to secure it for long time
under the North River may put New-Jersey also
within the same easy reach and make unneces-
sary long walks or slow rides down to the
waterfront and changes on both sides Of the
river Improved facilities may likewise make a
trip to the Grand Central Station 10 catch a
train TO the country north Of the city quicker
and more comfortable But now for the man
who cannot leave his desk early that journey is
Manhattan the Long Island Railroad can double
the home possibilities Of the city OF New York
That is no light blessing which city legislator
can afford TO put aside II concerns every citi-
zen-he who wishes to live out of the whir Of
the citys centre and he who elects 10 stay close
al hand and enjoy the added comfort which
must come from relieving the present unwhole
some congestion That is a most shortsghted
and narrow minded view Of public policy which
objects to the opening up Of outlets from the
CITY for fear somebody's rents will go down II
was long ago discredted by experience. Every
bridge and ferry adds to the city's prosperity
and the value OF the real estate at the centre
What can 90 out can come In and bring business
with It. The Chinese Wall to shut ont traffic is
no more piece Of folly than the Chinese Wall
TO hold people in whose health and wealth
would be promoted by letting them 20 out. The
incomes which 20 in too large proportion 10
renting narrow and uncomfortable quarters
within possible reach OF work would be better
spent not only for the individual but for the
whole community. where less crowding made
more room and pleasanter surroundings possible
for less money. That is what every new transit
line makes possible and therefore we cannot
| have TOO many OF them
The Long Island Tunnel project is one which
has been carefully perfected The law under
which the franchises may be acquired amply
protects the cty's rights The tunnel itself will
! cost the taxpayers nothing. Their representa-