New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-29
CENTRAL BRIDGE AGAIN.

Persons living in that part of The Bronx "
which Central Bridge gives most convenient az
cess contend that they are subjected 10 Il u "ei
hardship i'll being compelled 10 cross tue ii'ei
at that point on foot and that for their sake the
use of the bridge by trolley cars ought 10 oe
sanctioned In short, they are hlm 1rlehuS VI
The scheme which was defeated in the last ua!s
of a Tammany administration ana has no"
been revived in a more ambitious form ID! inc
company lately organized TO operate the he'io-
nolitan and IFS affiliated lines The Tribune has
reason 10 think that it was in no small measure
RESPONSIBLE for the defeat last year of an au-
dacious attempt TO get possession OF cehra'
Bridge for purposes which it was never meant
IN serve and hopes TO be instrumental in pre-
vomiting such n surrender now. But III taxing
This course we do not fail to recognize the con-
siderations which influence some of those VINO
are most directly concerned to adopt contrary
nositiop They are not unnaturally susceptible
10 the argument of self-interest. Ihelr coIhloIl
would be promoted by the building OF roie'
link connecting the lines beyond the firith
with the lines on this side of il, anG IN thlhklns
of the immediate advantage which they Woulu
gain from such an arrangement as the alder
men are now asked 10 permit they overlook the
larger interests of the city as whole OF WHICH
they are a small part. As might be expected
tbeir nlea ignores or obscureS some essential
facts and moreover, unless we are greatly mis-
taken. embraces some tictions
We have repeatedly stated the case. as we
understand ii, but further repetition seems
nacassarv Central Bridge was built ut the cost
of the taxpayers, under an explicit agreement
that il should never be diverted to the use of a
railroad company. At an opportune moment
bv objectionable methods. the Huckleberry con
incautious or unfaithful legislature an act au-
1horfZing the municipal authorities to break
virtual contract In its inception. therefore. the
plan now soliciting the approval of the alder
men bore sneaking and treacherous character
(which made 1t odous soon as the pubic SIT"
through it. But its advocates say that the STU
alton has changed. and that necessity mas
arisen which must be met without regard 10 tue
original offence TO support tnat argument
they allege that the federal government Ior-
bids the construction of a bridge by the trans
portation company for its own use, ana cohse-
ouently that Central Bridge must be Surreh-
dered 10 the trolley. unless the present con-
yenience Of numerous individuals and the per
mnnent welfare of the city are 10 be held OF no
account They make this assertion poslt1FelF.
and presumably in good faith, but we must re-
fpsa 70 believe II until they produce the proofs
c,,itc the nurpogns of n shrewd and aggressive
cornoratIon 10 foster the notion rs it reaches
ont NOT only for Central Bridge but for Wash
ington Bridge and the viaduct, that IN cannot
obtain at its own expense the new facilities
which il coyets but must receive them as free
off from the municipality. II is used to the en-
invmanr of immensely lucrative privileges which
hgvn cost it little or nothing. and naturally
hates TO adopt a different policy But we hope
the people are done with making sacrifices OF
that sort
With perfect goodwill toward those VINO are
supportfng the company's demands. we are com
pplled 10 saw that they are led by personal feel
ing TO take too narrow view or a natteE
which concerns all New-York. 1t Is scarcely
Dossfblp to conceive of an invasion of pubic
rights which would not appear advantageous 10
some small part of the population. but it Is The
duty of the government TO protect and promote
tho general interests of the community In TINS
instance there is ample reason to believe th;''
a company possessing enormous resources ana
actuated bv the spirit of conquest would IN 10
long time find means TO build bridge OF us
own across the Harlem. other great corpora
tions have done IL 1t should become fully con
WINGED that the city would never supply lis
needs In that line.