New-York tribune., 1902-12-18

Merchants Association Circular 4sks
4Uto Protest.


The Merchants Association of New-York yes
terday made public it's circular protesting
against the obnoxious conditions the transit
systems of this city Copies OF this circular are
to be sent TO the members OF prominent or
ganizations in this city, including the com
mercial bodies. exchanges and the Bar Asso-
citation. and also to the clergy and physicians OF
New-York
With the circular will also be sent a petition.
of which the Merchants Association hopes tnat
those who are nightly jan1rned in cars VIII
send copies to the Mayor. protesting against
the disgracefuI herding together of passengers.
and the Insults to the women who have TO travel
on the cars
The petition reads as follows:
To the Hon Seth Low. Mayor City Of New
York
Sir: The undersigned respectfully represent
that large number of franchises. more tnan
fifty In number have hitherto been granted 10
numerous corporations. delegating 70 them the
exclusive right to use designated streets IN
this city for transporting passengers by street
or elevated railways. which grants are vaho
only to effect public purpose, and are subject
TO its efficient performance
We further represent to you that the corpora
tons. holding these public franshtses condition
ally upon their supplying ali reasonable Tacti-
ties for the transportation Of passengers. DO
not properly discharge their obligation 70 pro-
VIDE efficient public transportation service, ous
continuously omit so to do. despite frequent
complaints made to them in relation thereto
We further show that from the earnings OF these
corporations, proceeding from the use exclusive
ly by them of public right, they pay large
profits. not only the capital necessarily EN-
ployed. but also a large volume Of fctitions
capital or watered stock, which profits arise
in part by the diversion of earnings which
should rightfuIiy be applied to providing the
facilities required for efficient public service
BY reason Of the failure OF these corporations
to provide and operate sufficient number of
cars TO provide proper seats therein and to
restrict the number Of passengers in each car
to its comfortable and reasonable capacity with
regard TO the rights of its occupants. the people
of this city subjected intolerabIe abuse
OF their personal rights. extreme discomfort.
and to conditions which are an outrage upon
public decency- 1t Is impossible at certain hours
Of the day for any one to use these public
hicles without being forced into close and often
shameful contact with other OCCUPANTS whereby
the mothers, wives and daughters of this
munity are constantly subjected TO secret and
dtsgraceful personal insult. degradation and hu-
These conditions exist because OF the failure OF
this city's servant corporations to properly per
form the duties incumbent upon them under
their contract obligations
We therefore respectfully petition that you
will cause the Corporation Counsel to advise
you OF the duties of the railroads occupying the
streets Of this city. and thereafter take such
measures as may be necessary enforce the
public rights In the premises.
The circular rehearses in detail the points
set forth in the petition, and says further
The time has come when every man who has
respect for his mother. wife. sister or daughter
must protest against this condition and assert
the public right against these usurpfng cor
porat1ons who use the right of public control
over public property for private profit instead
of public benefit. for which latter purpose 1t was
granted
We appeal to the people Of this city to Join
the Merchants Association in protest against
these conditions. addressed TO the Mayor, and
TO join in general movement TO secure from
the Board of Aldermen and the legislature OF the
State remedial measures which shall compel
efficient service and public decency in the opera
ton OF the transit facilities now held by vari-
Gus corporations of this city.
We aim particularly TO exact from the Man
haitian Railway Company due recognition OF
the rights OF the public and provision OF facili-
ties necessary to serve the public needs These
have never been provided by this corporation,
although II has enjoyed since 1876 public privt-
leges far IN excess of those granted any other
It has uniformly neglected not only TO provide
means Of transportation. but il has refused TO
carry its fair share Of the public burden in
the form Of taxes payment OF licenses
We purpose to prepare and to present to the
Mayor OF this city a memorial which shall lead
to the enforcement. through the courts If neces-
sary. Of the rights OF the public under the char
ters now held by these corporations In this We
invite your cooperation
This circular which IS headed "Deeancy
against Indecency'' is designed TO ascertain how
the men of this city Will act when their az
tentfon Is called to what the women related 70
them are subjected TO. because OF the neglect OF
ties for transportation It is signed by the Mer-
chants Associations committee on franchises
and transportation which is composed OF the
following William 2. King. chairman;
John c. Eames. Henry r Towne and George L
DuvaL