New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-12
TIL 1rrEREORoUGR OFFER.

~ hit. las reason to rejoice over 1he
---r,-.s ,-frl, which rival transportation CO..
-,onias are soliciting the privilege OF Dnl'u--,7
- limos and extending cstablsheu :! -
cucb corlrctition IS in sharp contrast W -,
-7.-r,.-,-,[,a which long prevailed, ana wiz
,,,-,r so short "a time rs ave years ago Tue 20 -,
Transit Commission was able - oNeIOo--. 80
1,v orrecing 10 terms which Wouiu no" -
oa-loa bv The city entirely uiN "a. - a.
EeImours latest proposition lh ue-i'll- - -,
,,s which he represents, having LOT us MA
,ls..+ 49,, erection Of an elevated railroad HHA
t,.+,-o.n the brooklyn and NIilainsDuIS
7t7-oe viii doubtless be examined WIN uue
,.+o1,io, b- the authorities. 1t presents VAR
,-s Interesting features, some OF Whlch a.e Inv
u, 10 ,,roluce a favorable impression IL no"
eror fbe CITY should be compelled 70 acc'i'' -
,,ioo+ tho scheme as whole, there Is We hOpe'
no reason 10 fear that the public Wouid Soll7-''
TO its acceptance ., 4,
There seem TO be no insuperaole ooSlacieS -
the way Of joining the bridges 10y an eie'4'eu
- Kvi.lout in1nosing serious sacrifices on
Tho community. the Second ana ini7d ave
Ii,as might be connected with the WILLIAMSBURG
T}rf5.-o AT Clinton and Delaney SITS, ana an eA-
tc--eior Of the Secoud-ave. line from chatham
So7rare 10 the Brooklyn Bridge appears Ieasl-
1,Ia Without such additional facllltes oeloW
Chatham Square the present congestion WouLu
p, c-oa+l-. fnc~oa spd in case the company should
undertake. 10 care FOR the traffic Of the bridges
I'm both directions. We are convinced mat Ihe
7,u5lic is opposed to further occupation OK lmpo1-
t9ut thorouchfares in Manhattan by eleFateu
railroads but there would probably be no Sc
rfous objection 10 the use Of such East sue
streets below Delaney as would be required
for the purpose in view, II for any reason an
elevated instead Of a subway link should seem
advisable.
When. however. Mr.. Belmont talks about
taking. over 4 considerable part OF Elm-st and
building an elevated road through Canal-st over
broadway to connect with the Sixth and Ninth
ave lines. he invites prompt and determined
opuosition. It is no news that the Transports
ton managers have fixed covetOUs eyes on Elm
ST. II it is true. as AIr. Cravath declares II TO
be. that the Metropolitan is not seeking py
means Of the so-caIed Relocation bin now be-
fore the legislature to effect an entrance there
the confessed fact remains that it means to run
a trolley line through Elul-st. if il can possibly
/ contrive 10 accomplish that cherished purpose.
! NOW appears the Interborough with its cool pro
/ pCsal 10 build an elevated railroad IN that
1 street. In cur opinion both propositions ought
/ to be summarily rejected The transportation
! Of passengers within the limits Of New-Nork
/ is a matter Of great importance. but II IS not
/ the sole requirement CT metropolitan existence.
IL naturally absOrbS the attention Of those who
are engaged II that business, and making huge
profits out OF IL, but the permanent welfare Of
the city demands that their distorted views on
the subject should not be adopted by the Rapid
Transit Commission and the municipal authori-
ties.
In the opinion OF the transportation man
ayers It is Indispensable that they Should be
permitted 10 Use all the streets they want. and
that al other vehicles should be kept out OF the
way OF their cars. But that IS not the prevail
ing opinion. General traffic IS greatly impeded
in Broadway 10y the car line, and the old par
aHel streets afford utterly inadequate relief
being themselves crowded and irpedcd. Elm
ST, If ii IS ever finished and II it s reserved
Tor the uses which 81 was designed 10 serve.
VIII be worth al that folly and profi-acy have
made it cost. To surrender 81 70 the transpor-
tation companies on any terms would be q
monstroCs outrage. In any other city We be-
lieve such a betrayal Of the public interests
would be inc0nceivablc. II Mr.. Belmont IS
willing 20 drop that feature Of his scheme the
rest Of IT VIII be entitled 10 careful and, per-
maps, 10 favorable consideration.