New-York tribune., 1902-12-17
THE FRANCHISE GRANTED.


Puhlic opinfon when it is thoroughly aroused
generally succeeds in accomplishing its purpose.
Just as it frustrated the old Tammany plans to
destroy the City Hall and to put a driveway IN
Central Park Just as it forced Mayor Van
Wyck after all his obstruction TO give his sup
port to the Public Library ard the rapid tran
sit tunnel so now it has forced the Board OF
Aldermen TO grant the franchise for the con-
nection of Manhattan and Long Island with the
mainland by the Pennsylvania tunnel.
1t is evident that the opposition itself did not
really dare TO deprive the people of this mag
nificent Improvement. 1t was perhaps good
politics for Tammany Hall for Mr.. Cantor and
for some recalcitrant Republican aldermen and
district leaders with aspirations for control OF
the labor vote to make a great noise and De
able to say how valiantly they stood for eight
hour clauses and prevailing rates of wages.
It was perhaps good politics so long as the
franchise itself went through and the people OBJ
tanned the great benefits Of it. Having the tun-
nel they would forget. or at least forgive, those
who tried to block it, while the blocking at
tempts would be counted virtue by the labor
unions even while they were growing prosper
GUS out of the tunnel work. They could always
think that they might have had better terms
and that the obstructionists were those who
tried TO secure them.
But it would have been quite a different thing
to beat the franchise. Then the condemnation
of the great body of the people deprived Of this
important railroad connection would have far
outweighed any gain from approval of the labor
unions and probably before long the labor
unions themselves would have recovered from
the deluson into which they have been led by
adventurers and demaGogues and learned that
their pretended champions Were enemies who
had deprived them of work not only in the tun-
nel itself, but in all branches Of trade stimu-
lated by the growing prosperity Of town with
doubled railroad facilities. This was doubtless
the theory on which the Sullivans acted. They
protested violently their undying opposition to
the tunnel but for some days before the vote
it was well understood that they were willing
the franchise should pass and would, If neces-
sary, privately help it.
All is well that ends well. After long delay
the franchise is finally granted on fair terms.
The city will obtain a transit line of stupendous
Importance, the beneficial possibilities of which
are difficult TO e1aggerate. Long Island and
New-Jersey have a large territory available for
homes, and Manhattan is unbearably congested
by a population which cannot live here decently
or comfortably, but which hitherto has been
able TO live far away from its work The Penn
sylvania tunnel will bring to thousands the
blessing of cheap and healthful homes. 1t will
also give this city new direct railway connec-
ton with the South and West and attract busi-
ness. 1t will be another bond of union between
the boroughs now divided by the East River
The Pennsylvania Railroad is to be congratu-
lated on achieving an entrance to the metropo
lis. The metropolis is even more to be con-
graduated the completion OF arrangements
for SO magnificent scheme of railway develop
ment.