The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21


and the old. the strong and the weak are
alike hustled by truck drivers, forced tc
dodge their way through and around
encountered sidewalks. and nauseated by
sights and smells. At the Brooklyn Bridge
the conditions are different, but not better
and the daily riots which take place there
are too notorious to require more than 9
bare mention.
II would be merely statistical land prac.
tically impossible) to state the number OF
the diurnal horde who alternately storm and
evacuate the lower end Of Manhattan, but
an indication Ia afforded by recent state.
ment that the surface cars alone on the
Brooklyn Bridge carried more than three
hundred thousand people during one day
In the month Of November. And the rate
of growth is shown by the fact that one OF
the ferry lines has increased from eleven 10
fifteen millions a year in six years. In
considering these figures, II must be remem-
bered that the greater part OF these people
are employed near their landing places and
walk to and from their places OF business
This Is true Of all ferries in the southern
part OF the island.
To recite the woes OF those who are forced
to use the north and south surface and
elevated cars during the two hours down
ward rush in the morning and the two hours
upward rush in the evening is a work Of
supererogation. The crowding grows day by
day and the recent partial change TO cleo
trio traction on the elevated lines has not
seemed to ameliorate the conditions; rather
the contrary, since the increased capacity
due to the change has only served to attract
an increased number OF passengers. Both
surface and ele, uted lines have now almost
reached their Unit for north and south
traffic, and the few additions which can be
placed on unoccupled streets will not take
care Of immediate and local demands.
This is the situation as it appears to-day.
The ferries which radiate east, west and
south are 80 slow, 10 subject TO Interrupt
tions Of various sorts and 30 inconvenient
in every way that people dislike TO use them,
and the trend Of movement will always be
in other directions where an unbroken
journey Is possible. even though 1t 10 uncom-
Portable. The method Is obsolete and the
recent proposal OF the Pennsylvania Rail-
road to build a great terminal on Manhat-
tan Is a sufficient demonstr q ton that they
recognize the fact. The complete exhaus-
ton OF the resources during the four rush
hours) of the north and south lines and Of
the Brooklyn Bridge paralyses any further
feed. Yet some relief for the lower end Of
the island is absolutely necessary very soon.
Ideally situated for a commercial centre.
with its mile upon mile Of sheltered harbor
and docks. 1t is utterly unsuited for resi-
dence. The same accommodations can
for one-half what they cost on the island Of
Manhattan, and people Of moderate income
are now torn between q crowded fiat In the
city and a crowded and tiresome journey,
morning and evening
1t is perfectly evident that the increase
in the number Of downtown workers Ia not
proportional with the growth in the resident
population, fallacious as the proposition
seems at first sight. Every family which is
forced into the suburbs, by the conversion
OF dwelling to commercial uses, simply
means that one or more persons who pre-
an already overcrowded system OF trans
portation. The time has arrived when only
the very rich and the very poor can aflord
to live on the lower half OF Manhattan; the
very rich. because a brougham or an auto
mobile renders them independent Of the
poor. because living, fifteen in one room,
has no terrors for peop e whose financial
outlook extends no further than the next
day. And 10, II New York Ia to fulfil the
destiny prescribed by her location and sur
roundings, the residents Of southern Man
haitian must move out in order that conf
merce may have room; the influx and effiux
Of workers must continue to grow and the
problem Of caring for them will become
Increasingly serious,
Let us see what may be expected from
work which is already in hand or is likely
to he undertaken at an early date.
4. A bridge at Pike street Gust north
OF and quite near the present Brooklyn
Bridge which will temporarily, at least.
relieve the crush on the existing bridge
without adding perceptibly to the down
town crowds in the morning or the uptown
crowds in the evening on the surface and
elevated lines II In mooted point whether
or not the Brooklyn lines will be swamped
by its demands.
O. A bridge at Delaney street connect
ing with Broadway In Brooklyn. This
bridge, but on the other hand, Il 10 q
mile and half from the City Hall In Man.
haitian and Is certain to offer considera-