New-York tribune., 1905-01-27
ONE LESSON OF THE STORM

The effects OF the storm have been exaG-
gerated both I'm print and conversation. IL was
not in the same class with the blizzard OF 1883
as everybody who was exposed 20 that ele-
mental conflict and is still living in the posses
sion of his mental faculties can testlIy- New
ertheless 1t was unusually fierce, and the inter-
ruption Of traffic resulting from combination
OF factors-temperature, "ind ana cryslalllza-
tion-causeG much suffering and an immense
amount of ANNOYANCE and expense. One fact
which stands out in the clearest light is that
except for the subway the distress would nave
been far more serious The underground road
was put to a severe test, and its general e1cel-
lence was triumphantly demonstrated
Some defects in the subway have been discov-
cred, and the conduct of the operating company
in respect 10 the advertisements which detace
its stations has caused just irritation. but no
doubt remains that the new method or trans
portation has extraordinary advantages. Inc
streetcar service was almost completely par
alyzed. the elevated railroads, though they did
better than was expected, left much TO be de-
sired cabs were hardly TO be procured at any
nrice mail wagons were overturned and strand
ed many business operations were curtailed or
suspended and pedestrians had all they could
do to make progress against the gale. But
when the patrons Of the underground road had
fought their way TO the entrances their troubles
were over for the time being OF course plat
forms and cars were crowded while the rush
lasted, but passengers suffered no other discom-
fort. or. If they did were unmindfui OF the fact
because of the contrast with conditions above
the surface The service showed only slight
Irregularities. and there was not a single accl-
dent
In short, it was fine vindicaton for the sub
way-that IS for the principle OF underground
transportation-and the lesson ought not TO be
lost on the public authorities. New subways
are in contemplation, and probably the argu-
ment for their construction does not need to
be supported by such experiences as those of
Yesterday and the day before, but every now
and then extensions of the elevated railroad sys-
TEN are commended TO public approval, and
plans for additional bridges over the East River
are gravely considered. 1t is desirable there
fore TO call attention to svery striking illustra-
ton of the superiority of underground commu-
nications A bridge is far more costly than
tunnel and far less uniformly serviceable. An
elevated railroad is inevitably an eyesore, a
grievous obstruction and incapable of uninter-
rupted operation at all times. Beyond the
shadow Of a doubt ii is the universal opinion
that the existing subway is an invaluable acQui-
sition. Since ii was opened to traffic IL has not
( revealed, so far we know, a single fault
which cannot be avoided in future works Of
similar character. while every comparison with
old modes of transportation under exacting con-
ditions results TO it's advantage. The city gov
ernment and the Rapid Transit Commission
cannot afford to underestimate the strength Of
the case which it is daily establishing against
bridges and elevated roads.