New-York tribune., 1903-03-18
GIVING Up THE BRIDGES.

So the bridges are to be given up to the troll
lev lines at last The fine new W1lhs-aVe'
bridge the great and much thronged Cehlfdl
Bridge and the connecting vidduct ana the
neerIess Washington Bridge are all 10 be occu-
pfed by trolley lines, with overhead Wlres' 10
their indescribab1e Disagreement and to the IN
caIculabIe discomfort and considerable Danger
of all who now use them for driving. Here
after there will not be single Important Dfloge
connecting Manhattan with The Bronx 1ree
from the nuisance Of trolley tracks, 80 that
Measure driving from one borough to the other,
and from the park and driveway system OF the
one to that Of the other, Will be almost pro-
hibited. That, we must say, Is something TO
be deeply regretted, and we believe 1t VIII one
day be regretted, and steps will have to be
taken to remedy the evil at far greater cost tn%n
would now be required to avoid 1t.
The most serious feature of the case is how
ever. not the wrong that is thus done to the
public in diverting public works to other uses
than those for which the public intended them
It is rather to be perceived in the sanction
which is thus given to legislative 3ugglery, and
IN the loss of confidence and indeed OF security,
which must ensue. For the washington ana
Central bridges were built with the express
understanding that they were never to be useo
by railroads. That exemption was specincaIiy
enacted In law. It was realized at that time
that it would soon be necessary to provide
means Of car transit across the Harlem at
about those points. But 1t was understood,
agreed and resolved, with all the formality and
sanctity of law and contract, that these bridges
should not thus be used. Then, after little
time a company notorious for its tricky methods
secured by some hocus pocus' without the
knowledge Of the general public, repeal OF
that law. Now advantage OF that repeal Is
taken by another company in securing the use
of those bridges for its tracks. 1t fs formal
sanction of legislative jugglery. such as may
well cause men to wonder II anything is secure
simply because it is protected by law. If such
Job can succeed, what job nsy not succeed
We cannot escape the conviction that thus a
| serious wrong has been done to the cause OF
| good government and great encouragement has
been given to administrative wire pulers and
legislative tricksters.
Apart from that evil, and from the loss of
the bridges to the general public, the procedure
has some good features. It lie well that there
| should be direct car Communication between
| the boreughs. That should have been provided
years ago. and the car companies should have
been compelled to provide it ut their own cost
1t Will be well to have these projected new
lines in The Bronx. Their routes are we'll de-
signed to serve the public convenience and to
contribute to the development Of that impor-
tant borough. Moreover, IL the bridges were
to be given up to the trolleys at all, it Is well
that it has not been made free gift. Not long
seO aldermen wsre ready to surrender the
OrfdEes for O song. Under the present arrange
ment rental is to Be paid for them beginning
at 81 900 q year for each Of the three bridges
and increasing By $500 every Eve years until II
is 5000 q year for the last I'VE years Of the
tWeatY.Aye yeAeG- concsBis0.. Aftsg thet q