New-York tribune., 1901-07-05
INSULT ADDED TO INJURY.

Mr.. GreatsnGers remarks on the report that
the elevated train service of the Brooklyn
Bridge has been cut down about p per cent
since his company took over from the city the
management of the structure is simply an in
suit 10 the people who are compelled TO use
those trains. He says that more people are now
travelling by surface cars and that the company
handles more people over the bridge than ever
before He probably meant this as an excuse
or a defence. 1t is instead a confession of utter
disregard Of public comfort and convenience
and also an acknowledgment that for months
the authorities of the railroad company have
been making false statements 70 the public
The terrible overcrowding of the bridge trains
has been a matter of frequent complaint. The
grand Jury has considered the subject The
Chamber OF Commerce has sought some way to
relieve the crush. To all, the railroad officials
have solemnly protested that they were doing
the best they could giving seat TO every pas
senger for whom it was possible TO provide
seat Now. that was untrue Nobody asks the
Impossible. The traffic is undoubtedly so great
that some crowding is inevitable until other
bridges or tunnels are provided. But no crowd
ing is excusable that can be prevented. and
when the railroad managers say they are doing
their utmost to relieve crowding the lie is given
to their words by the record that they are pro-
bridge trains than the city provided with the
identical plant.
1t makes not the slightest difference if nine
tenths Of the people 90 by the surface cars and
II only n minority is crowded in the trains
That minority has rights TO all the comfort the
most liberal management of the train service
can give. quite Independent of the facilities or
lack of facilities on the surface lines. The rail
road company assumed the task of running the
bridge trains, and the limit Of its duty TO pro-
vide seat for every passenger who seeks those
trains is nothing short of the limit of it's phys
ical powers. The fact that the trains are less
crowded than the trolley cars has nothing to do
with the case. Tie trains are crowded. Thou
sands are compelled 10 stand in them every day.
The trains are not run as frequently as they
formerly were, nor are they composed Of rs
many cars 1t is self-evdent that better ac-
commodations could be provided, for what the
city did the company can do. 1t could have
provided seats for hundreds on the bridge trains
who are compelled 10 stand, but IL deliberately
cut down the train service TO what ii thought
the people who used the trains would endure
The report of Chief Engineer Martin is an in
dictment Of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany for calculating sacrifice OF public con-
venience coupled with hypocritical pretence Of
desire for improvement. 1t is also an indict-
ment OF Bridge Commissioner Shea. who is the
ultimate authority, with the duty and the power
10 compel the railroad company TO give the best
possible service. He has known for years that
It was crowding passengers unnecessarily in the
bridge trains by its notorious dminution of
that branch Of the service. Yet he has calmly
tolerated the abuse, and likewise pretended TO
be racking his massive brain for plans to reduce
even little the discomforfs Of those who trav-
eIled over the bridge Economy at the expense
Of the public IL 70 be expected on the part OF a
raflrosd manager trying to pay dividends on
watered stocks. but city Official is looked to