New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-13

Tho Tntorurhau has surrendered the principle
FOR which fl has been contending in the matter
Of transfers. and without ostentation. indeed,
scarcely letting its left hand know what its
right hand does il is giving transfers nj sew
oral points where they have hitherto been de-
rnanded in vain. II yields with i'll grace how
ever. and without any show OF purpose 10 com
piy fully and freely with the plain intent OF
HE law. At several points where passengers
are legally entitled 20 transfers they are re-
fused. although the traffic congestion at these
f,oiufs is not 50 great TO furnish The excuse
made for noncompliance with the law al
Broadway and Tventy-third-st. Certainly there
can be no public danger 10 be aQprehended
from giving transfers in Eighth and Ninth
aves. with The Twenty third-st. and Forty-sec-
ond-st. lines.
Neare not disposed to say that there may not
he valid objections from the point Of view of
rractical railroading 10 transfers at the Madi-
son Square corner. Even If that is true. how
ever. IT does not Justify the persistent viola
tion Of law by the company. If the law is bad
the company's privilege is 10 seek its modihca-
tion Meanwhile il is bound 10 obey. The State
cannot for an instant cOnccde the right Of
urfvnte Judgment by corporation Of the ex-
r,adieuCy OF obeyiuS a plain mandate OF the
law. Mr. Nreeland Is no more entitled 10 ig-
more the law about transfers because he THINKS
II iuconvenlent than any mill owner who thinks
The factory laws inconvcnient. or any builder
who thinks the courts required I'm tenement
houses Avastefully large has 10 violate the law
governing his business The iaSolent assunlp-
non Of corporations like the lnterurhan that
the directions OF the law are matters Tor them
10 think about and consider the wisdom Of
oDeying Is Indicative OF a spirit which the PEG
r,le feel more and more acutely must be severe
" rebuked The street railway Il a creature
OF the law. and any requirement Of the legiSiat-
ure which that body has the constitutional
right 10 impose should be oheyed instantly and
in good faith. il the regulation works injury to
the public. that is the affair Of the public and
the legislature.
II the contention Of the company is sound, We
NAV. ex0ect new delays and accidents at Twen-
ty-third-st and Broadway and At other longest
ed points Of transfer. If they do not occur, the
inference will be fair that the objection was
never sincere. but was merely a pretext 10
avoid transfers which the company did not
wish 10 give. The public IS TOO well accus-
toned - solemn protests Of corporations that
us demands cannot possibly he complied with
10 take such assurances n their face value
History is full Of dire prophecies Of railroad
presidents unfuliilled. The car stove could not
be abolished. law or ne Jaw; but when the roads
came to face the thorough enforcement Of the
law against car stoves n substitute was discov-
cred So. we think, il viii be with the trans
ferS. There j. no likelihood of a procession Of
ambulnnCes and undertakers' wagons 10 Madi-
son Square fer the dead and injured in acct
dents due TO the giving Of transfers. II any
thiuE Of the kind happens as direct result -
the transfers we shall acquit the company Of
blame and look 10 those VINO in their wisdom or
ignorance prescribed a rule which it never
should have occurred % the company 20 dis
O'spv