New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-11
THE POULSON PLAN.

1t was wise TO give trial to the method sug-
gested by Mr.. Poulson for relieving the press
ure at the bridge entrance One may be puz-
Zled TO guess why the step was not taken
months ago before the expensive reconstruction
of the Manhattan station required for the exc
culOn Of another plan, was well under way
However, that is n small matter The main
thing is to find satisfactory remedy for long
existing evils; and any project which promises
that and is on its face at least halfway
rational, certainly deserves careful considera-
ton. OF course, the merits and dement's of
such proposition could be ascertained only by
practical experiment Hence a test like that of
last week was desirable; and If Mr.. PoulsOn
feels that the first one was not adequate, there
would be no improperly in making a second
The plan IN question has one great advantage.
1t separates the incoming and outgoing traffic
completely. Passengers arriving from Brooklyn
would alight at point far removed from that
at which embarkation occurred. All oppor-
tunity for collision between the two human
tides would be withdrawn. People who wanted
TO get of car would not find their path
blocked by q large impatient and unmannerly
crowd. Those who wanted TO get on would
find the already empty when they had
their chance At first sight, then, it would seem
as If decency and convenience would be pro-
The chief doubt which must arise relative to
the working OF the proposed arrangement per-
tains to the facility with which the outgoing
passengers could find the cars which they
sought. Mr.. Poulson would have five Of the
latter come into position for loading stimuli
taneously. If there were only that number of
lines to be served, If the cars on each OF those
lines came TO Manhattan with the same fire.
Quency, and if other conditions were favorable
it would be feasible TO have the cars in each
fresh bunch at the point Of embarkation In the
same order every time. Regular patrons would
then quickly learn exactly where TO place them
selves on the platform so as to loso no time
Fixed signs, placed above the stopping place,
might give the stranger the same informant
Unfortunately, such system is possible
There are Mt least dozen different lines, some
have more cars than others, and there are
countless short detentions from all sorts Of
causes over in Brooklyn. Consequently no two
cars of the same Hne-say that which runs
through Flat5ush-ave.-would depart from the
same spot in succession. Experience and precc-
dent would oe Of no value in determining where
TO stand while waiting. The car which q pas
senger wanted might stop in any one of five po-
sitions. When q fresh set OF empty cars came
around for loading, therefore. there would be
danger of friction while the process OF distribu-
ton was taking place Even supposing that the
people who could be served Oh that arrangement
were to form in the front rank, and those who
perceived that they must wait were sensible
enough TO fall back, there would nevertheless
be rush and a scurry not witnessed at pres
ent near the trolley tracks. a distinctly new
element of trouble would be introduced. As
things are now, the people who want 70 take
the cars distribute themselves automatically
among eight stations, two TO each loop, and
they do so In advance Of the arrival of the cars.
Under the Poulson system the sorting process
could not well begin until later.
II has been suggested that the difficulty here
specified might be lessened If, when group OF
empty cars were run from the north platform
to the south side, placards numbered from al"
to "5' were temporarily attached thereto
These could be hung on the cars while they
were being unloaded, and removed after load
ing and Just at the instant OF departure. Little
benefit would probably be derived from such a
scheme. The passengers who were waiting to
embark might receive warning n few seconds
sooner than otherwise. However, most people,
with few days practice, would be able TO de-
termine the relative position OF n given car In
any fresh bunch quite from its usual
signs as from numbered placard In any
case the time required for the mental process
of locating n car rightly and for the physical
operation OF reaching it would unquestiona bly,
be greater than It is now. An increase rather
than decrease in confusion would result.
After all, the eight loop plan, for which pro-
vision is soon 10 be made. is on the whole the
best thing In sight. 1t is not all that could he
wished, but IT will prove an appreciable i'm
provement upon the existing arrangement
HACK HIRE ~ NFW-YORK