New-York tribune., 1900-01-14
uR. GUGGENBEIMER.s REsoLUTIoN


The chief argument against restricting heavy
traffic in Fifth-ave. has always been that an
ordinance accomplishing that object would be
"class legslation"-a device for the benefit of
the ''aristocrats" at the expense of the "toiling
masses" Mr.. Guggenheimer, who has taken
much pains during the last two years to dispel
that notion must therefore have been gratif1ed
to observe that the ''toiling masses" were wholly
unrepresented among the opponents of his reso-
luton at the committee hearing last Friday
Directors were there in behalf of various in
terests, including the express companies, mer-
chants doing business in Fifth-ave., the Whole
sale GrOcers' Association and citizens residing
in Madison-ave.; but the honest and industrious
labOrers of both sexes who were alleged to be
up in arms or dissolved in tears at the prospect
of having trucks and other heavily laden We
hicles removed beyond the range of their vision
as they took the air in Fifth-ave. were not
present in person and sent no proxies.
Mr.. Guggenheimer Is consequently entitled
we say, to congratulate himself, not because he
has converted the "toiling masses to his view,
for there is no reason to suppose that they ever
held any other view than his, but because he
has apparently shut the mouths of good mauy
thick witted demagogues who have hitherto
raised a noisy opposition whenever traffic regu
impression that they were making themselves
solid with their constituents. If, as seems to be
the case, the President of the Council has
knocked that delusion out of considerable num-
Der of craniums he has done creditable thing
and made some progress in a good cause
whether his present campaign succeeds or fails.
AS a result of the well advertised and we'll at
tended meeting in the Council Chamber on Fri
day it is easy TO descry the real sources of
the opposition to the Fifth-ave. restriction
ment and to perceive how absurdly small a
minority of the population it represents. The
express companies, the wholesale grocers the
dwellers in Madison-ave., who really have some
cause for personal dislike of the project, and the
Fifth-ave merchants may not unnaturaly con-
slider themselves justified in making their case
as strong as possible; but the city cannot afford
to adopt their point Of view and ignore the in
terests and wishes of an overwhelming majority.
Perhaps some such notifications of Mr. Gug-
genheimer's ordinance as Mr.. Milliken sug-
gested may be advisable In previous under
takings of similar character exceptions have
been made in favor of light delivery wagons,
and the period from June 1 TO October has
been exempted from the restrictions At the
same time it seems proper to point out that
close distinctions are likely to cause trouble and
bad feeling, and that inasmuch as the plan is
advocated, as it should be, in the general in-
terest that part of the year in which the less
fortunate residents of New-York, being COM
PEELED TO stay here find special benefit in the
freedom of the streets and have most need of
easy access to the Park would seem to be pre-
cisely the part when Fifth-ave. should be made
as convenient as possible for pedestrians and
pleasure vehicles.