New-York tribune., 1903-06-02
TRANSPORTATION PROPOSITIONS.

The West Side Citizens Committee of One
Hundred, organized for the purpose of contend
ine for those rights Of passengers which are
largely denied by the transportation companies,
has made a renort of its activities during the
brief period Of its existence In the four
months which this accounting covers the com
rnittee has earned a good reputation by intelli-
gent and persistent work along suitable lines.
1t rendered a particularly valuable service in
enlisting opposition TO the grab bills which
were stealthily pressed at Albany last winter,
hut not one of which survives, and it has been
successful thus far in the litigation which it
instituted TO compel the Metropolitan company
20 issue transfers at additional points, Alto
getheT the committee has established claim to
be listened to with respect when it makes spe-
cific recommendations for the Improvement Of
the transportation service.
With reference 10 the elevated roads. the re-
port declares that the Manhattan company
should be compelled TO acquire property at
Barclay, Cortiandt and Rector SITS, on the
Ninth-aye. branch, for the purpose Of enlarging
IS r1iserably insufficient stations and relieving
passengers from conditions which have long
been distressing, and, indeed scandalous. With
fle same object IN view. the wise and practical
suggestion IS made that the company ought to
keep not one but several employees on the plat
forms OF stations which are excessively crowded
IL rush hours. 70 facilitate the ingress and
esreSs OF passengers. Further the number OF
standing passengers should be limited and Ion
GER trains should be run In non-rush hours more
trains should be run Oh the elevated roads and
more cars on the surface lines since there is
no excuse for forcing passengers TO stand in
cars after the rush is over This last named
requirement is the one which should be urged
above all Others in our opinion, because there is
no room for dispute about il, and the good faith
Of the companies is TO be measured by their
willingness unwiIitngness TO comply with the
demand. Heretofore they have always been
ready with arguments 10 show that their re-
sources are exhausted il the rush hours and
that they are not 10 blame If the public is not
comfortably accommodated. We doubt II that
is literally true bur even If IL is. the ireon-
troyerrible fact remains that at other hours the
service is SO far reduced that the croWding and
discomfort continue, when they might be wholly
relieved. So long as the managers deliberate
" maintain that policy for no other reason than
TO SaTe money, they viii not be patiently heard
when they protest that they are anxious TO
serve the public TO the best Of their ability.
The committee further declares that during
rush hours there should be two conductors ON
every surface car-one 10 collect fares. the other
10 attend 10 the entrance exit and control of
passengers. We have long urged that neces-
sity, which is obvious 10 every observer of pres
ent conditions and which unworthy considera-
tons of economy alone can induce the managers
70 ignore. One other conclusion OF particular
Importance is thus set forth: In summer. on the
Metropolitan style If open car. no passenger
should be allowed 70 stand: this style of car