New-York tribune., 1906-04-05
TEHIoLEs CROSSING THE RIVER.

The proposal to abolish tolls on vehicles cross
ing the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges IS
again to the fore, its sponsor now being the
President OF the Borough OF Manhattan. On
general principles 1t has much to commend II
Those bridges are simply parts Of the street
system OF the city, and should be free to We
hicles as other streets are. Originally a toll
was exacted from pedestrians crossing the
Brooklyn Bridge. but it was long ago abol-
ished. and Il would seem only just to abolish
also the tolls on horses and vehicles. Toll gates
are unpopular everywhere and are being aboi-
ished as rapidly as possible. On the other hand,
for some specific reasons there is much force
in the Bridge Commissioners objections to such
abolition or tolls. Vehicular traffic on the
Brooklyn Bridge is already enormously con-
gested at certain hours, and II the roadways
were made free there would doubtless be
large diversion OF traffic from the ferries. re-
sulting in intolerable congestion on the bridges,
involving the trolley cars as well as all other
vehicles.
Indeed, the congested vehicular traffic the
Brooklyn Bridge at present SO greatly inter
feres with and delays car travel that some
thoughtful students Of transportation problems
have suggested the closing OF the roadways
against vehicles during the rush hours That
would be an extreme measure which 1t might
be difficult to justify. The bridge roadways
hicles and not at all for cars, and it would
seem to be a harsh reversal OF design to give
them up exclusively to cars. excluding all other
vehicles. Moreover, II is doubtful whether the
carrying capacity OF the ferries would prove
adequate TO the demands Of vehicular traffic. If
the bridge were closed against them we should
not be surprised TO see lines OF trucks and
carriages waiting perhaps for an hour for
chance TO cross the river. Certainly, In such
case the city would be under a moral obligation
TO provide prompt passage for them In some
way, though there would be much reluctance to
multiply tho number Of municipal ferries.
II bridge tolls are retained to restrain cOnges-
tion and II the bridge roadways are properly
policed for the regulation and direction OF traf-
&c, IL ought to be possible to lessen the delay Of
trolley car travel which Is now complained OF
until such time as It may be possible to af-
ford radica. relief TO the whole situation. Some
such relief would doubtless be given by the
Manhattan Bridge, If that much debated and
much delayed structure were only finished in
stead Of being deferred, apparently, to the
Greek Kalends. Still more effective relief
would be found In a system OF tunnels. These
latter could not be used for vehicular traffic.
but they would be the best means OF transit for
cars. 1t would be an uncommonly good thing
If the railroad now on the Brooklyn Bridge
could be transferred TO a tunnel, the trolley
lines be put where the railroad now is, and
the roadways be entirely given back to We
hcles 1t may be that such a change is i'm
practicable, but it is certain that in whatever
development there may be OF transfiuvial traffic,
provision must be made for the great and stead
lily increasing number OF vehicles of all kinds
passing between Manhattan and Brooklyn.