New-York tribune., 1900-03-21
THE STREET RAILWAY COMBINATION

Some individuals of speculative proclivitieS
NAV have ''coppered" Mr.. Nreelapd's repeated
emphatic and almost up to date declarations
that the Metropolitan Street Railway Company
had no idea of acquiring or wish to possess the
Third Avenue system, but evidently Wall Street
did not expect the operation just at THIS time
II is fact, nevertheless. that intelligent per-
sons who have carefully observed the policies
and methods of the Metropolitan managers in
recent years have confidently believed that they
would not halt until they had obtained control
of all the surface lines between the rivers. 1t
was a clear case of manifest destiny deliber-
ately arranged by Mr.. Whitney and his asso-
ciates Nor is there any sufficient reason for
concluding that the process of development has
been completed There is presumably price at
which the elevated roads would look attractive
to the men who were saying only little While
ago that they had no use for the Third Avenue
and sooner or later there is likely 20 be another
yerification OF the manifest destiny theory. Then
there is the transpontine half of New-Iork, and
until that has been brought under their beneyo-
lent despotism the Metropolitan managers VIII
not have TO sigh because there are no more
worlds to conquer.
Unhappy stockholders of the Third Avenue
company who were forced or frightened into let
ting their holdings go on terms which made
them weep WIFI find the reverse Of consolation
in the spectacle they now behold, but the sur
yivors of a melancholy and disgraceful VIZ ok
are doubtless rejoiced. And they have good
reason to be. Whether or not re company
.,ouId ho-., bcon restored TO prosperous con-
dition as an independent organization, it is en-
tirely probable that its lines will become profit
able part of the Metropolitan system. From the
public point of view there is also room for salts
faction, Notwithstanding the fact that corpora
ton already immensely powerful has taken an
other long step toward the goal of q complete
monopoly; for experience warrants the belief
that the service on the Third Avenue road and
its branches will be much improved. while the
transfer system will be operative everywhere
| below the Harlem.
Only a short time ago the news that a cOnsol-
| idation of all the surface lines had been accom-
| plished would have excited fears for the under
| ground roads. But there is no longer any cause
| for anxiety on that account The rapid transit
| tunnels will soon be in process of construction,
and when the time for putting them into opera
ton arrives it will not be surprising IT, in spite
| of present disclaimers, the Metropolitan com
pany is found to be IN possession of that privi-
| lege. There is sort Of manifest destiny look
| about that proposition also, and in our view it
| is rather pleasing than otherwise. The con-
| ditions on which the Metropolitan managers
offered to take the underground franchise a year
ago We're far from acceptable as q whole. and
| the perpetual ownership and untaxed subway
| features were particularly offensive, But we
| see reason TO worry over the possibility that
| the Metropolitan company will secure the right
OF operating underground roads belonging to
| the city on terms satisfactory not only to Mr..
| Mcdonald and his hackers but also to our
| honest and sagacious Rapid Transit Commits
| sioners without whose consent the contractor
cannot relieve himself of any fraction Of his
| undertaking
There is, perhaps, one menace TO the public
| welfare In this important operation. 1t is pos
| sible that the new interests and old interests
| now placed in new attitude may consider il
| advantageous to prevent a searching investiga-
| ton of the processes by which great property
was brought TO the verge of ruin But it will be
unfortunate and discreditable if the inquiry
! just begun is allowed to languish and come to
| nothing.