New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-12
TIE MOVING PLATFORM PLAN.

Commissioner Lindenthals moving sidewalk
plan is evidently not to be considered as an
alternative to the one part Of Mr.. Parsors's
plan which has been laid aside. but a sub
stitute for the entire subway scheme. 1t was
understood that while Mr.. Lindenthal did not
approve the idea of sending the trolley cars
down to Maiden Lane. he cordially agreed to
the necessity of a subway connecting the
Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. 1t seems,
however, that the moving platform is designed
to occupy the space now used for the bridge
trains. not that used for the trolley cars. If
this change is made there will be no bridge
trains to send through the subway. Possibly
the plan of Mr.. Parsons might be so modified
that the trolley cars instead of the trains would
turn north and 90 to the Williamsburg Bridge.
Thus the congestion at the trolley terminal
which is the point Of most dangerous and indie
cent crowding--would be relieved Mr.. Linden
thai however, apparently intends TO stop the
trolley traffic at least tentatively on the com
pletion of his moving platform. And the
subway would be useless.
1t is not to be denied that the platform
scheme has its attractive features. The pros
pect Of carrying $1,000 seated passengers an
hour while both the train and trolley car ser
vice with fearful crowding carry only $4,000 an
hour is pleasant enough to cover a multitude
of shortcomings. The evident shortcomings are
the necessity of change for all passengers at
the Brooklyn end Of the bridge and the diff
Guilty of operating the platform In conjunction
with any system of through cars. The train
passengers, with some few exceptions at non
rush hours, all have to change at present. but
as they do this without extra cost, and can
only thus connect with the elevated lines in
Brooklyn, a goodly proportion of the traffic is
H. fI1n fhn Chi Of
is on the trolley cars. Now, when passengers
on the platform are required not merely TO
change cars but to pay an extra cent, the ten
dency will be strong to crowd the trolley cars
worse than ever if they are left the bridge
as an alternative to the platform.
The platform would doubtless offer more of
decency and comfort, but it is to be feared
that the bulk Of the bridge crowds are not as
responsive to those boons as might be desired.
They are hardened TO violent struggle and
filled with passion for haste and direct transit
between house and shop. Controller Grout
voiced this sentiment in the Board of Estimate.
1t is a foolish sentiment Mr.. Lindenthal is
right when he answers that people cannot eat
their cake and have il, too that they cannot
secure decency and safety without paying a
corresponding price; but nevertheless the senti-
ment is one to be reckoned with. 1t is evident
tnOuSaIus Nouiu prefer slduuiHS III Il CIR
from Manhattan to their Brooklyn homes to
paying an extra cent. having a seat on the
platform. and changing comfortably to a car
at the other end of the bridge. Therefore the
success of the platform probably means the
abandonment of all other facilities and all idea
Of connecting the two bridges till the present
bridge could be entirely rebuilt.
1t would be necessary also, with the platform,
to provide a place of transfer in Brooklyn.
Obviously this would be at the bridge plaza
purchased at enormous expense from the rail-
road by the city a few years ago OF course,
the railroad would expect the free use OF the
space. on the ground that the station was not
put there for its purposes or by its desire. but
favor to the city TO accommodate the pub
lie. Perhaps it might seek TO force compliance
with this demand by failure to provide ade-
quate service in default of the gift. expecting
the people 10 tell their officials that convenient
connections must be secured, no matter what
the terms In that case the officials would
have 10 be courageous and firm. The Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company is as dependent on
the people as they are on ii, and can be forced
TO make proper connections and make suitable
payment for the property ii uses. II forced
from the bridge il would have to provide ade-
quate Brooklyn terminals If it could not bluff
lhe city into saving il the expense. If the
platform scheme should he carried out both