New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-27
THE PRESS AND THE SUBWAYS.

c,ooLiny in the name. and perhaps with the
ou+boritv of the Rapid Transit Commission
Contradict, Grout said yesterday that he thouEht
II might he n year before the hopeful stage ol
rccaiyinr bids for new subways was reached.
A similar prediction made several weeks ago
coused disappointment which VIII now DE III
tensified. for It had not generally been supposed
that so long 4 delay was ineVltable Al o'iicl
members Of the commission do not agree win
the Controller we hope they will not heslUite TO
say so. and in the mean time it would DE wen
to explain why 4 year is needed 10 prepare 'ne
way for bids.
Mr. Grout also said yesterday: Ihe news
..papers are building subways for us every day,
"but their actual construction takes time IL
tho Controller made that remark with charac-
teristically genial smile, he is not open 10 crltl-
cism. though we wish that an instantaneous
photograph might have accompanied the report
of his words in order to prevent posslDie mis-
understanding. IL he meant that the news
papers were disposed TO usurp the functions or
the Rapid Transit Commission, second thought
would have been wiser than an indlscreet utter
ance. The newspapers are doing very much the
same thing that they have continued to do since
an early and dark period in the history of rapid
transit undertakings. Except for their encour-
agement support and consolation the commits
sioners would probably have failed to get be-
yond the point where their designations were
looked for from day TO day. During that gloomy
time the newspapers stimulated and gave eX-
presson to the popular sentiment which de-
manded underground roads, spread broadcast
and enforced the commissions arguments in
favor Of the enterprise refuted objections pro-
ceeding from ignorance or hostility, promoted
the feeling which frightened Tammany Hall
into taking negative and, finally, helpful at
tltude and in all these ways were of incalculable
service TO Mr.. Orr and his colleagues as some of
them have gratefully acknowledged.
After the contract had been awarded-a con-
tract which. under the conditions then existing,
was perhaps as good a one for the city could
have been negotiated. but which contains pro-
visions which nobody can now help regretting-
the newspapers, on the whole. continued to he
of great assistance to the commission. They
counselled public patience under sore trials, not
all Of which were inevitable, and cOunteracted
in large degree the censure TO which the COM
mission was subjected. Owing chiefly TO their
influence. more than one movement TO legislate
it out of office has failed to become formidable,
and chiefly because of their support it still en-
joys, as we believe it deserves, the confidence
Of the community. These are facts which no
member of the commission who is as well IN
formed as all OF them ought to be viii care to
deny
Since the subway went into operation the
newspapers have justly praised the foresight,
wisdom and sense Of responsibility which are
visible in moSt Of its features. They have also
faithfully pointed out deficiencies and blemishes,
not in condemnation Of work done largely along
experimental lines, but with an honest desire to
be helpful, through the agency of communica-
tons from the public as well as by means of
such intelligence as they may themselves pos
sess, in securing exemption from mistakes here
after. We should be glad to think the commits
siOners were infallible. but, in view Of the i'm
perfect material Of which human beings are COM
posed, it appears not unlikely that they and the
public will continue to derive advantage from
the free discussion which the newspapers make
possible. That expectation will lead The Trib
une and its esteemed contemporaries, in good
faith, though not in agreement on every point
to offer such suggestions concerning the rapid
transit undertakings Of the future as they deem
proper and useful.