New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05
THE WEST STREET TROLLEY SCHEME.


1t is reported that the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company will make no further effort
until after the first Of January 10 procure the
privilege of installing an overhead trolley in
West-st The report is likely TO prove true, in
asmuch as the interval is short and the proposal
on its first appearance in public view has been
generally disapproyed. OF course there is an
implication I'm the talk Of delay that the COM
pany expects more favorable treatment from
the next administration than it might receive if
the present administration were to continue.
Undoubtedly the reputation of Tammany gov
ernment supports that hypothesis, which is ad-
ditionally sustained in the minds Of many per-
sons by the belief that great corporations con-
1ributed literally TO Tammanys campaign fund
This year. But whatever the Metropolitan COM
panys expectations and intentions may be, the
discussion Of the main question goes on, as it
ought 70. fer the public interests are seriously
concerned.
The plea put in by Mr.. Vreeland is based on
the statement that an underground trolley in
westst. is impracticable for the reason that the
surface is low. and high tides and heavy storms
would food the conduit Records are cited TO
show that trouble OF that sort would exist on
about one-third of the days in every year,
which may be true, though it may be fairly as
stunned that Mr.. Vreeland has not handled the
statistics in such a manner as TO hurt his case
1Ie has also declared, with an appearance Of
contempt for the suggestions of persons who
are disposed 10 think that engineering science
Is equal TO good many tasks which trans
portation companies are not eager to employ it.
that there is no possible way of overcoming
the difficulty referred TO- But on the other
hand, II is asserted that as a matter OF fact
underground trolleys are successfully operated
even in this city, on routes which at some points
are as low as any part OF West-st. We are not
required or prepared, TO settle that difference
which we mention merely for the sake OF illus
trating the demand for cautious consideration
of the subject.
There is one feature Of the case It has
been presented thus far, which invites some
comment OF a general nature. The company
assumes, through Mr.. Vreeland, that we must
have an electric car service in Nest-st., the
only question being how II shall be installed.
Now we suppose his habit Of adopting that attl-
fude and his cheerful persistency in maintaining
Il under all circumstances are TO be reckoned
as an important part Of the personal equip
ment which makes him particularly valuable
10 the company. Nor are we inclined TO COM
plain of him, 81 his capacity as a local trans
portatiOn manager, on that account. II is his
business TO serve the interests conided 10 his
charge 10 the best of his ability. And so we are
not surprised when he announces that he would
like TO take possession Of Elm-st. soon that
fhOroughfare has been opened for the relief OF
congested traffic in Broadway and Centre-st;
or urges the necessity of keeping narrow streets
clear for the uninterrupted passage OF his cars
whatever happens TO merchants who want TO
get goods in and out Of their stores; or, as in