New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-02
LEGISLATION BY CL4v0R

lhe passage. under the spur Of Senator SaXe's
mslstent energy and the pressure Of repeated
watch meetings on the West Side OF the bill to
force the New-Iork Central to place its Elev-
enlh avenue tracks In subway is a great tri-
umph for popular agitation. and is perhaps
step toward the removal of the tracks from the
surface Of Eleventh avenue-though that is ap-
parentiy Il minor point. The mass meetings
were clamoring and their chosen representatives
were bound 10 get action and could not stop
4" see whether the particular action taken would
advance or retard the reform which they sought.
Such practical questions were beneath their
dignity. The proverb that one man might lead
a horse TO waiter while a thousand could not
make him drink had meaning TO them. They
are going TO have subway. Ii may be difficult
or even impossible. from an engineering point Of
view: the railroad may absolutely refuse to
proceed on the plan outlined. and consequently
years Of litigation instead Of a cleared street
may result But nothing Of this matters. The
bill has passed The honor of Senator SAKE
has been indicated and the voice of the people
who respond 10 the drumbeat of public meetings
has triumphed. 4 reform being undeniably
needed. new law which in some way or other
came to be popularity regarded as the sacred
symbol OF the cause has been passed. The pos
sibility Of practically enforcing that law so as
actually 10 secure the reform seems 10 have
had little consideration.
There can be no doubt that the tracks ought
TO be removed from the surface of Eleventh
avenue and we hope that this bill NAV be found
an effective instrument of speedy removal with
out injustice 10 anybody. 1t is rather disquiet-
ing however. 10 note the opinions of some
thoughtful legislators about the measure and
the uncertainty of many persons as to its
probable effect. Senator White than whom
there * cleaner "A ba I p.riSl o+
who certainly not trying To block this re-
form. frankly declared that he thought the bill
would prove a disappointment and that Il in
VolVed dangerous principle in arbitrarily fix
ing complicated engineering plan. Before the
Dill was passed the counsel for the railroad
company announced that it would NOT build
such subway as prescribed and would
let the city condemn its rights, valued by him
al slO0,000,000. as an alternative 1t is gener
ally admitted that the building of a subway
along the waterfront would he difficult that the
necessary spurs 10 deliver freight would have
10 be constructed with the aid of caissons AT
great expense and that when they were done
they might prove impractcable for commercial
purposes. Obviously the city. as much as the
railroad. wants convenient freight terminals
Railroad tracks on piers and other appliances
10 facilitate and attract commerce are in other
great cities carefully provided and ii may be
eseuheo Unit Ne"-1ork does not wish TO cut
OF its own commercial arteries So unless the
subway can be made practicable for business
even the property owners and inhabitants of
Eleventh avenue who largely live Oh that bust
ness will hardly desire il. Moreover the city,
even IL willing 10 part with railroad accommo-
dations, Is not In position to pay $1OO,OO0.OOO
for the privilege.
On the other hand, somebody has discovered
or imagined that tie trouble with the bill is
not that the railroad will refuse TO do It's part
but that IL will do IL altogether too gladly and
that il is feigning reluctance until 1t is able 10
exchange an expired and worthless franchise