The sun., 1903-12-25
RROOkLYN TRANSPORTATION.
Kings Grand Jury Says II Can Be Regu-
lated and Tells How.

The Kings county Grand Jury for Decem-
Der handed down to the County Court yes
terday a long prcsentment in relation to
passenger transportation in Brooklyn, upon
which it had made extended inquiry. After
calling attention to the lack of proper
traffic facilities, the crowded condition of
the cars and their lack of heat, the rregu-
larities in the service and the frequency of
accidents, the Grand Jury says:
The mere knowledge of the conditions en-
isting at he bridge should spur all our author
ties not TO lose a moment in giving us relief.
That the safety of the public is not of great
concern to them seems to he evidenced by the
fact that no approaches nave been provided
for the Williamsburg Bridge. which is other
wise nearing completion, and that additional
and improved means OF crossing the stream
like ferries which the city has been authorized
by the Legislature 10 purchase, are st!l IN pri-
vate hands. run in u haphazard manner. when
a proper schedule on them and on the CON
Meeting car service would AFFORD a considern-
city and would relieve the bridge to that eS-
The third rail question. one which affects
our people to the greatest degree, in view
of the many accidents which it causes. thanks
to the careless methods of the companies
as far as relates 10 the repair of their rolling
stock and electric appliances, is. we are as
sured. receiving the careful attention of the
heads of the corporation IL is possible
that in time, when Il method will be iount
cheap enough to he attractive which will
lessen the peril, caused by that means of
electric tract ion, the management Will adopt 1T
if IL ever becomes convinced that il will prove
cheaper than the eventual payment of damage
suits resulting from accidents. But here
again there is no one empowered to make
hem adopt the safety device, be IL ever SO
perfect.
IL il readily seen that as there are no laws
to govern the case. no ordinances to be en-
forced no authority whose province IL is TO
enforce them cars will continue to be over
crowded, the service will continue to be r-
regular. people will continue to be subjected
to freezing temperatures and drafty vehicles:
tho lack OF headlights on trains. Il he electric
current of the third rail. defective nsula-
tion due to slovenly repairs in the machine
shops, will continue TO kill and aim people,
and there is no redress but the verdict OF
"accidental homicide" on N" part OF the
Coroner, or, at best, verdict for damages
IN case whore the negligence OF the corpora
tion is too faeranl
The Grand Jury makes these suggestions
of remedy for the existing conditions;
In order to afford some remedy. the few
laws and ordinances which have been on
acted must be complied with aud freed from
any ambi guilty which makes their execution
impossible Others Of stringent nature,
though perfectly fair and reasonable. pro-
vding severe Penalties for infraction, must
be- pressed by the competent authorities,
Legislature or Council, under the ella use OF
the public welfare and safety, and their en-;
forcement should be intrusted to a local
body Of electrical railroad commissioners.