The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-14
AS TO CLEARING FIFTH AILytr.
A Gard From the Truckowners.

To THE EDITOR oP TIT SUN-Sty. AZ
there seems TO be some Misrepresentation
In regard to the proposed ordinance 10 Keep
trucks and heavy vehicles of Fifth avenue
during certain hours. will you allow Us, as
counsel to the New York Tr%uckowners'
Association. " to state briefly our position
In the matter?
While IL Is not disputed that Fifth avenue
IL dangerously crowded with vehicles there
Is no reason why discrimination should be
made against the trucks. IL must he borne
In mind that because OF the peculiar shape OF
Manhattan Island namely long and narrow.
there are comparatively few streets and
avenues running north and south which
can be used by the trucks in carrying the
vast amount OF freight and merchandise.
building materials. dc. required by the bust
ness necessities OF the community. Not only
our merchants and manufacturer and build
ers. but citizens OF every trade and calling are
Interested in this problem. as they must all
be more or less affected By anything which
tends to cripple or prevent the prompt and
regular transportation OF goods for hire.
Fiith avenue has long been used by trucks
because IL has advantages possessed bv 10
other street or avenue In that vicinity. there
are no car tracks, the grades are easy. the
pavement Is kept In good repair, and il IHns
right through the heart OF the city, afIordiug
easy access TO the various side streets Tor
reception or delivery Of so9dsi iTGadS9g
Of the cars, often run at a dangerously. high
rate OF speed, increases the risk OF accidents
Madison avenue and Park avenue are essential
ly residential streets with two or three steep
Lill' where IL would be difficult for horses 20
pull q heavily loaded truck. Now II all trucks
were vigorously excluded from Fifth avenue
il would simply result In a congestion OF
trariC In these other streets and avenues
and the last state would be worse than the
first"
One observer has collected statistics OF
the number of vehicles passing tho corner
Of Thirty-ffth street and Fifth avenue by
actual count between the hours OF ? and
O'Clock y. NJ. on the goth Of January last.
" appears from this table that during the
time mentioned only 2O9 trucks passed, as
against ZOOS private carriages. 63i cabs.
a07 loaded hansoms. ga empty hansOms
and 32O automobiles. No one pretends that
trucks are seen on the avenu" AT night, when
the patrons of the opera, theatre. balls, par
ties, DC, have undisputed right OF way.
Allow u then to suggest u solution OF the
difficulty. First, pass an ordinance similar 10
that in force in London, whereby empty cabs
and hansoms seeking passengers shall be COM
PEELED 10 remain in the side streets. Second.
limit the speed OF the automobiles, which are
i'm general a nuisance and constitute our grent-
est source OF danger. and keep them on the
avenue bet ween Twenty-ffth and Fifty
ninth streets except during certain prescribed
hours, Then there Will be no such 'angle
of vehicles ~ AT present. pedestrians can
safely cross the street without fear OF being
run over. and the business of our great me
tropolis will not he fettered or obstructed "a
would be inevitable If the proposed ordnance
h,t otn.s n law. RAVES A ITDGE.
ATTORNEYS for New York Truckowners As
soCiation.
NEW YORK. Feb. IL.