New-York tribune., 1906-11-22
reaches. and every other reform suggestion Is
only experimental and makeshift
THE ELEVATED RAILROADS.

A corresnondent in Yesterdays Tribune made
plea for the extension of the elevated rail-
road lines TO which we have no doubt many
citizens will subscribe. One of the points which
he sought to make. however, seems TO US to
involve familiar misrepresentation which needs
from time TO time to be pointed out. He spoke
of the growth Of the Borough of The Bronx
and of the means OF communication with that
part of the city. which he considers to be even
now lamentably inadequate. Our correspond
ent says: The life blood of the borough is quick
transit. If this is not afforded. what will very
'likey become the second largest borough Of
"this city In population and the first in area
will be retarded In growth and the city will
suffer"
The supposition seems to exist in many minds
that d man has natural and inalienable right
to be carried in a public conveyance TO the
immediate neighborhood of his own home
wherever 1t may be but we cannot accept that
hypothesis a basis for sound argument on
the subject of traffic facilities in this city. In
our opinion, the municipality has more impor-
tant questions to consider, in endeavoring TO
solve its complicated transportation problem
than the best means Of enabling The Bronx TO
maintain and accelerate Its extraordinary in
crease In population. We have no doubt that
q large number Of persons living In that re-
gion would find their personal convenience and
comfort greatly promoted by such develop
ment of the elevated railroad system as would
enable swift express service TO be established
for their benefit 1t IS quite certain, also, that
four track elevated railroad running the
length of Fifth avenue would transport an
enormous number of passengers and that If
franchise for such line could be procured
capital would camor for the privilege of en-
barking in so lucrative an enterprise. But no.
body would dream of countenanCing anything
of the sort, for the simple reason that every
body realizes that an elevated railroad through
Fifth avenue would exact sacrifice out of all
proportion TO the benefits conferred
OF course, this is an extreme case, but the
principle applies TO other projects, including,
we think, elevated railroad enlargements for
the advantage of The Bronx and other parts
of the city. If there We're no other possible
means of satisfying within reasonable time
the proper demands of the public the case
would be very different We have been will
ing 10 see a connecting link established be-
tween the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges
by means of an elevated railroad extension,
because there seems TO be other feasible
method of relieving without great delay con-
ditions which have long been universally con-
sidered dangerous and disgraceful, and which
are becoming more onerous every day. We
can conceive no reason the other hand, why
Inc brOnX ana, II general, Jne region norIn
OF the Harlem should not in the comparatively
near future be made accessible by additional
subways, and it seems to us most undesirable,
in order TO save a little time, to adopt meas
ures of relief which would inevitably tend to
multiply and peTpetuate the evils which
inseparable from the elevated railroads.
Those roads have unquestionably served
highly useful purpose, and, indeed it Is DIFF
fcult to how the city could have got along
without them, but do not think it is diff
ficult TO see how the city may be enabled to
get along without more Of them. The first
subway has been, on the whole, from the point
Of view Of public convenience an immense sue
cess 1t has developed some serious faults TO
be sure, but there is no reason why they need
TO be reproduced in future subways; whereas
an elevated railroad running through a large
city has of necessity ineradicable defects which
should condemn it 10 extinction as soon as its
place can be supplied.