davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
MORE POWER FOR CITY.
Nez0. S1bscoys Should Be Operated
Under St7icter Conditions.
ID tha Edltor q - TILbuae.

To the Editor OF The tribune.
Sir: To those who are working FOR better facili-
ties for our subway service would briefly note ths
following suggestions:
It IS very Desirable that cars should be fitted
with side doors at the centre, providing this can be
ACCOMPLISHED without seriously inpairing the
strength OF the car structure. This is essentially
matter for experts to pass upon The central part
OF car IS the weakest part Of the car body the
sides acting trusses and whether il is pTactic-
bic TO cut out from the critical part OF the truss
an entrance opening IS a technical question. II
practicable from structural point OF view it Ger
tainly should 0e insisted upon
Smoking. in nay judgment, should be absolutely
prohibited only IN tho cars but in the stations
% the subway. The principal drawback TO subway
transit consists IN the absence Of natural light and
the conlparative impurity OF the air These def
ciencles should not be added to by tobacco smoke.
In the summer when the difference in temperature
Is not so great between subway air and the air in
The street this defect Will become more apparent
In the deep subways Of London provision for art-
fcial ventilation has been found necessary.
No private advertising whatever should. IN my
judgment. be permitted IN the subways or on other
are declared b. law be city streets, and 1 be
l,eve il viii be ultimately held by the courts that
their use Tor advertising OF vending purposes IS
believe that it viii be found essential for the
complete development OF the eltys 1nGeIgEounG NIGER a r
transit - stem ma y si1iI ,t - ~ . - ~ - gsr SCI
those already in operation Comparatively, lew
: complications exist underground; bat with the
zion viii become more difficult % handle. ana IN
less fbe CITY shall reserve 10 itself power OF re-
arrangement the subways 10 be built in the future
are likely 10 conflict with the alignment OF those
OF pTi0r date The city is developing so rapidly
that no one can predict It's precise requ!reTnent5
even for eOnparattVeiy few years in advance. and
the power 20 adjust lines Of transit 70 continually
chanPing conditions should be most carefully pre-
served. with the exception Of the subway already
built the city is IN complete control Or the uudeE-
ground situation. which position II should always
maintain. AS instance. The admirable cross
town system subways which the RAPID Transit
Commission has proposed. Power should he re-
served 10 extend these 10 Brooklyn, on the one
hand and New Jersey O the other, without dctr1-
ment 10 the interests OF the municipality. Power
should also be reserved TO compel free transfers
from east and west tines TO al future north and
south subway lines in Manhattan This viii not
only affect new lines TO be built, but, when once
ne urinciple shall be established. IL win compel
sstlug lines of transit As wei TO conform 70 the
same policy CALVIN 1O-dhtNS-
Nev--York CITY.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

vided for in franchises is another question; but
I should hope that it might be found practicable
In granting any further franchises to make condi-
ttons which would prevent such loss and discomfort
to the public by reason OF a strike.
Here is another suggestion: One OF the first
Recommendations made by the Transit Reform
COMMITTEES Of one Hundred. Of which 7 have the
honor TO be- the president, was, with regard TO
the elevated railroad. that should DO fitted
with doors in the centre. This is desirable IN the
case q the subway also. While such q form
OF construction would reduce the seating capacity
Of each individual car and the carrying capacity
or each individual train, it would also reduce the
length Of stOpDage at stations at the crowded
headway, and by their greater frequency TO accom-
Inodate considerably larger number Of passengers.
Il would be necessary also have sufficient guards
TO control both the and the ends of the cars
me one and come out at The other
think that smoking should be absolutely pro
have never been able to regard with a decent he,
gree OF liberation the who has So little con-
siCeraton for the comfort Of others that crowd
cannot escape he Viii pun cigar OF cigarette smoke
mo lueI races. ana l am always hHed with a
sense OF disgust when l see man get into
Win q Durnlng stump in his hand, which pollutes
cency and consideration of the comfort Of others
should prevent such swiuishness; but, nasInuch as
be induced by mere consideration for the rights
ana comforts Of others TO desist from these and
lc' II seems desirable that there should not only
De Tlgld rules preventing all smoking platforms
OF elevated railroads, ana still more on platforms
OF subway stations where conditions Of GOOD ven
tNaton and fresh air must be carefully guard
ed but also that these rules should in some way be
enforced, as they are not enforced at the present
where rules exist.
trust that all future franchises will absolutely
prohibit advertising both IN the cars and on The
stations or along the roadways, also the vending
OF anything except, perhaps the daily and weekly
papers and magazines This will diminish the
profits, and hence the value of the franchise but
I think ~ ''0'
There should be provision in future subways
fancy out such matters I am no experti f0r
flushing It, JOHN p PE'TFp . -
NeW-York
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
CUT RATE ON TICKETS.
People Then Woagd Not Stand in
Line to Pay Fsoe Cents TriD.
ID. .the-Ea.tor Il = TrLbune

To.thSEditog of TIE Tribune
Sir: i IS very creditabIe 70 The Tribune 70 give
opportunity 10 the public 10 express in tts columns
opinions regarding the administration and pulne
Improvement OF our great metropolis i IS the only
msthod by which citizens can 50 freely mako sy-
gestions Tor an improved and perfect system OF
municipal administration, rapid transit and educa-
ton
thai have carefully examined the systems used IN
London. Paris and other large cities of Europe and
believe ourE TO be superior 70 any other and that
II can be made perfect with some Few changes
The cars should be fitted with doors ia the centre
as wei as at the ends. 70 expedite the iugress and
egress OF passengers. These doors would be esne-
cialiy advantageous p the rush hours and In the
event % accident; or 81 cars are without centre
doors nc people SHOULD he allowed 10 leave the car
ou.yfrou tho front and to enter from the rear plat
form.
N reference 20 provision being made for smoking
IN the subway cars am certainly opposed 70 it.
FOR. although analysis Las shown the air 70 be pure
smoking would not be a means for keeping II go
Such an accommodation can probably Be tolerated
on ne eleg1te3 railroad butinot IL tie subway
Tho nnOtormen employed by the company ghould
be ef q superior class, licensed, and should know,
their business thoroughly Conductors aud othor
employees should nave their chief charaeterssties
cleaallness and courtesy.
z advertising IS eliowed IN the stations each sd
Vettsenent should be limited certain dimensions
end o. such framing 10 not impair the assthetic
eppeaBsneo q its surroundings. The vending
privilege should be restricted 70 the sale OF ness-
papers. which IS an accommodation 20 the passeD-
sers If5ttts opportunity should be extended 70 the
Eaie of other articles II would interfere with the
entrance and exit Of the people.
Il would also be great advantage IN business
hours. ~ order 70 prevent congestion OF people al
the nekst Office. s0r the conpeny 70 sen twenty
TWO Tickets for g. this small loss IN recslpts could
&c netrnb bursed 70 the company by dispensing with
tfle services OF an extra emplQye
ne restricted and peculiar shape oS the island az
.-etlLitltail ene TIE constant influx OF travellers
e4s a. perIect system Of rapid transit as p0ssi-
90 much 20 maze IL so ANTONIO 2T-C,fs 90
NeW-Hcrk City. 80
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
SHOULD HAVE CRoSsw1sE SEATS.
Passengers Dislike Riding Backward or Side
wise--Other Suggestions.

TO the Editor OF Tae Tribune
Sir; IN granting franchises for more subwavs
90 not think it need be stipulated that there sboud
be doors III the centre OF the cars. They wouId
occupy seating space and probably cause confusion,
Smoking IN the suOways should be prohibited ab-
soluteIy. The air is too pure without smoke
BY all means a wage that would attract competent
employees should be fixed. Advertising signs shouId
he prohibited. A passenger looking out of the car
window does not desire information about a con
sumption cure or SO-and-SOs steamboat line lie
wants know where he is And because the
signs confuse him he becomes pTejudiced against
the things advertised.
The should De constructed in q freproOf
manner throughout, with longitudinal steel hoor
beams 10 resist collision The should ha
cTUssUise and all facing the front No one likes
TO ride backward, and few sidewise. be thrown
against the occupant OF the next whenever
the starts stops. For proof. note the rush
for vacant cross seat There would not then be
many strap hangers, and this would require
more and greater comfort for the passenEers
In business you try 20 please your customers-not
make IL dlsagreeable for them to patronze YOU
The rapid succession Of white columns seen
through The windows hurts the eyes like sunlight
through a picket fence. Why not paint them
black? Station and platforms should be ar
ranged so that there could be no dangerous Raps
between them.
Boulevard should be made absolutely tmpossib bic
under future contracts. ALBERT T.. DAVIS
Borough Of The Bronx
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

When EyorlDnaen began driving nails into the
vvhifs eiled walls OF the subway stations ana
hanging Up an array OF gaTtsh advertisements,
ana when angry protests were aroused ana
prominent citizens advised tearing the signs
down, and sasd that It was ell a desecraf'on OF
tho property of the public, many soher'ininoeo
citizen silently asked himself:
why was not this question OF aevertise-
nents settledsin the beginning? Why were not
The rights OF the people safeguarded IN
advanceT'
When the employees Of the subway ana ele-
waited lines went OF a strike, and these systems
oetransportatlon were deTnoraiized for Gays ana
weeks. with collisions and deaths from accident
OF almost daily occurrence, again the e1elteo
i,,l1abftant railed aloud. although in vain; and
The more thoughtful asked;
s'TVhy was not some stipulation made III me
beginning between the city and the railroad
company which would have prevented sfraAe'
or which would at least guarantee adequate
service when It zyas possible to be had? why
was not, some wage standard fzed or arnatra'"
ZION rlan adopted which would have ended the
1,,c,zerings Of employer and employer
And 50 x goes. The fault is discovered. as a
veneral thing, too late % be remedied
As the city IS about 10 build new subsvays
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
BETTER SUBWAYS ARE NEEDED
TO GET SHORE OF THEN IS NOT THEONLK TRANSIT
~ PROBLEM.
Ceus Send Suggestions The Tribune for Improvements 17af
Should Be Imposed Franchise Bidders

stand so straight that lean over backward
An prohlbting them. Within reasonable rules poLn
Advertising and vending privileges are an adVan-
tage and convenience TO the travelling public ana
IN nv opinion some Of municipal art citizens
have bsen leaning over backward" IN trying 70
prevent them.
Doors IN the centre as Well as az the ENDS OF
the cars such as they have IN the Boston SUBWAY
would undoubtedly expedite the ingress and egress
OF passengers which would be desirable IN the rush
hours: but the end doors seem to be suthclenG toF
ordinary occasions. think. therefore, this should
be left 10 the careful investigation and Judgment
OF the engineers Of the Rapid Transit Commission
The question OF expense for additional employees -
one which has a bearing the decision
AS 70 providing regular smoking cars In the
sufV-ays ttds should depend entirely upon the ven
tiletIon, ana here again experience and inVeshga"
ton are necessary. I have long been OF the
opiaien that there should be smoking cars on the
elevated roads. where the question Of ventilation
does not como IN. The experience OF the open
surface cars, where smoking IS permitted on the
four gear Seats might perhaps be yaluabl0 in de-
Gliding th5 question which. like ell others should
not 1,s decided BY Individual opinions, but by the
convenience ard preference OF the public as
whole after Suu investigation
As 70 g minimum wage FOR al classes or en-
pIoyes. this savors too much OF ofacal clamps and
socialism Il does not follow that superior class
OF employees would be attracted thereby an lHus-
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
Commissioners Neglect Peoples
Rights, Says J. De w. Warner.
he Edltor of - Trlbune.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Rapid Transit Commission cannot be
trusted 20 impose even the more important and Gus
tomary conditions upon franchise operators with
whom IL contracts.
For example 81 the matter OF advertising. Late
experience should have taught the commission the
importance Of this subject and its own lease years
ago, for the Brooklyn extension furnished IT a
precedent. But in its contracts as 70 the McAdoo
subways II has omitted all reference thereto. al
though these subWsys. not being built by the city
are probably not within the law covering streets,
hence needed contract protection to greater extent
than cid the Brooklyn extension; but. IN fact, arc
given over, far as the commission can DO il.
to any advertising Disagreement 10 which greed
may proIapt
Centre doors should be required for egresE. leav~
ing end doors for ingress-any space taken in the
centre or the car. therefore. being than saved
by the consequent automatic attraction to the CEN
ire OF those expecting soon 70 alight, and continU-
Gus, constant relief OF both ends or the car.
IL would not strike me that ell smoking should
Dc prohiDlted IN the subways-thOugh IT, should not
Ds allowed on trains except IL smoking cars, ono
train
Mhne the minimum wage TO secure superior eH-
ployes might well be adopted BY the operator 1
shoud thlnk II PAD policy 10 include It. IN his
tract-lt being better. leaving wages 20 him. 10
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
responsibility for tho best

hold him TO the strictest responsibility AOE Ine peSt
service whatever II costs. s,.. ,,,irIleoa. = =. .
AS to advertising and venoihg PIN bs IN Ine
from the contract and reserved 20 the elty'-to oe
ms red for public profit in such way as public
fast@ and wish NAV permit all contracts being tor
minable on short notice. -, ,o. - -,
items above alluded TO s the right or absolute ter
mination, at the city's opticn, or any lease It
to stay resumption beyond the time REQUIRED for
notice and without right to other compensation
than q sun so definitely fixed in advance by tho
terms Of the lease to be simple matter OF cal
cuIafioT ThIs Is the only way by which the city
can reserve its right 10 such increased values as
development may bring. and in good faith observe
fbe Iore rule principle-which Is as much broken
by giving away to-day the franchises OF a future
reneration as by giving away Mt Albany the prop
erty OF New-York City Experience, especially that
OF Boston has shown that in practice franchise
opeTators are thus made at once more Jealous In
public service and more free from wanton attack
and thus able 20 secure such liberal treatment that
they themselves prefer this system.
JOHN DE WITT WARNER.
NeIV-York.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

Il has been proposed by many public spirited
citizens TO impose certain conditions upon their
Eaanagement 81 advance. Before a rail IS laid
or q car run, certain questions relating 70 tha
convenience and comfort OF passengers. It IS
urged should lie carefully determined. It SHOULD
Se decided then, for instance, whether adTer-
tiseroents, vending stands or slot machines
shocld be permitted n the stations; whether
the cars should be OF steel or metsl-sheathed
wood: whether there should be smoking cars:
whether there should be doors IA the centre OF
the cars as well as at-fhe ends; whether zain-
i1nuln wage scale for the employees should be
established. or an arbitration plan adopted that
would prevent strikes; and whether q wholesale
rate for tickets which would induce passengers
TO purchase them IA bulk. would not prevent
congestion ct the ticket booths
Letters have been received by The Tribune from
representative men who heartily favor the de-
cision Of such problems before and not after
the new subWays are built In fact. they are
almost Of one opinion, that II IS too late to con-
slider them aEterWard. These letters contain
many pertinent suggestions. Wei worth the most
careful consideration Of the Rapid Transit Com
mission and those State and city authorities
who have more or less 10 do with granting fran
chiBes and az the same time safeguarding the
rights Of the people
Some Of the letters-follov:
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
THE STRIKE PROBLEM.
Public SbouZd Be Safeguarded
against EUiIs of a ITe-Up.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: While I have a high regard individually for
the members of the Rapid Transit Commission. yet
DO not think that. as at present constituted. IL
Is in touch with the demands and requirements
Of the people Of this city. and I believe that the
drst thing to be done is to provide for n change
the commission which Will make it body really
representative of the feelings and tho needs Of the
people OF the city of New-YorR. The recent defeat
of the Elsberg bill and the attitude of the Rapid
Transit Commission toward that bill points in
illustration.
I also think that there should be provision
which would prevent any such discomfort TO the
public as was suffered during the subway and
elevated railroad strike II should be possible for
the city 10 take hand in questions between EN-
ployers and employed. Whether this can be pro-
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
HUMAN FLESH as SHARK BAIT.

Il appears that the Hawaiian chiefs of some years
ago We're much addicted TO the OF human flesh
as bait for sharks. 1t came cheaper than pig.
equally acceptable to the shark and gave the
chief opportunity to Kill any one whom lie dis
liked The victim was cut up and left 10 decom-
mehameha l 4 great shark hunter, and kept
those of his victims who were intended for bait
pepned up near the great temple OF Mookini.
Mrs. Beckley gives particularly interesting
count Of another method OF capturing the huge
niuhi, or man eating shark. followed by the
tives. They first Of all captured a large number
of the small common shark, saved the hvers with
portion OF the flesh. wrapped them in ki leaves
and baked them underground From nifty 10
ana lsrge quantities OF the pounded roots Of ava
mixed with q little water and contained III large
gourds. The fleet would sail many miles out 70
sea in the direction III which the niuhi is known TO
Arrived at "a comparatively shallow place the
canoe containing the head fisherman and the priest
peusahe, would cast anchor Il eat and the baked
liver would be thrown overheard. a few bundles at
q time 10 attract sharks After few days the
grease and scent or COOKED meats would spread
through the water many miles in radius. The riu-
hi would almost always make its appearance after
the third or fOucth day when bundles of the baked
them. while II would become com para tIvelv
tame, and would come up to other of tho
canoes TO be fed. Bundles of the liver with the
pounded ava would theu be given il, and IL would
become not only sattated. but also stupehed with
moose was then slipped over its head and tbs
following. a willing prisoner. md the OCcdDants
Of the nearest being careful to feed ii upon
the same miXture FROM time TO time. 1t led
right into shallow water until II stranded, and
then killed. Every part OF the bones ana skin
was supposed 10 confer unflinchng bravery lpon
the possessor. and the actual captor that is
head. would also ever after be always victorious
tForest and Stream.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

trattcn being that OF the class OF employees in the
public service as compared with private service.
FRANCIS B THU RSER.
New-York City.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
GUARD RAILS NECESSARY.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
ST: I want 10 suggest that in any future subways
10 be built in New-York the contractors should be
bound 10 place heavy guard rails along the outside
Of the steel rails on which the run. These
guard rails have many times proved their useful
ness the elevated roads OF this city by prevent
Ing trains running over the structure when some OF
tho wheels have slipped OF tho track II train in
the present subwEy should slip or the track there
Is nothing 10 prevent IL from dashng into the steel
pillars. watch would probably cause great loss OF
LIE among the passengers. j. Z. C.
N6W-York
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
NOT zoo sTRTCF CoNpTTTONs.

To. the Editor OF The Tribune
... " 'Ast DslAsFein IN imposing too strict con-
s-ol-' - q company mat wants q subway fran
chise- For example, there IS much 70 be satd on
both Eoes OF the question o9 limiting advertise-
Dents ard vending privileges on stations. qbsr,
may be abuse OF such privileges. or ne nav
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-08
POSSIBILITY OF PEACE,
Is Just Beginning to Be Felt by the
People Of Russia.

st. Petersburg. Aug. THE eve Of the
opening of the all-impOrtant negotiations
at Portsmouth raises u belief in the pos
Sibility of peace Even the hope that thu
nCgotiatOrS will reach a peaceful under
standing is more prevalent than it was II
week ago and the country and the gov
eminent are waiting anxiOusly for a mes
sage from the United States. The last
efforts to influence Japan and the jap
ancsc plenipotentiares through the mo
dunn of press expression have been made.
make further efforts to sway public opin-
ion at home or abroad.
Many ZcmStvOists until recently favored
D continuance of the WAS solely because
they considered that some outside i'm
polling power such as war was necessary
to force the government to grant the
country the demanded reforms. As tho
result of tho conferences at Pct"rhoi
they have now become convinced that thu.
granting of q popular assembly on u com
paratively liberal basis is assured, and
hence they no longer desire Il continuance
of the war on humane grounds. AS this
conviction gains ground. the ranks of
those reformerS who desire peace SwelIs
:lnd the Emperor is daily receiving com
munications from ZemStvOiSts and others
setting forth the country's growing desire
for peace.
The question Of. the retention of thu
island of SakhaIin has dropped out o,
nifty has become the paramount one.
The newspapers. TO-DAY. comment ap
provingly of President ROnsevelt's co,irte
sy and tact during his delicate meeting.
with the Russian and japanese peac,
at Oyster Bay. Saturday
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-08

the mayor at the request OF citizens. II
was reported by His Honor that a
floating stage could be built as cheap
ly as $1J and that the owners of Gray's
wharf, one Of the most convenient
landing places on the river front, have
signihed their willingness to permit a
free city landing to remain anchored
beside the wharf. Alderman Blake stat
ed that he thought steps leading from
the present permanent wharf, directly
To the water would be as convenient to
the owners of small boats and that the
steps would not cost the city nearly as
much as the landing. This matter was
laid over to be considered later. '''
Mayor knight stated that Prof. Pow
ers of the High school, desires to add
another course of study to the COM
mercial course that now prevails in the
school. 1t is suggested that the study
of stcnOgraphy and typewriting be ad-
ded to the curriculum. 1t was said. last
evening, that this could be effected at
a cost of about $500 for the first year.
Ii was suggested that competent
teacher can be secured, whose salary
will not exceed 80 a week, and the re-
mainder of this money will be used for
typewriters and supplies. This matter,
also, will be considered later.
The meeting adjourned at 10 o'clock.