New-York tribune., 1907-10-20

mobiles try TO gain admission 70 The ferry M ran IAN
toners among the gamblers who return from
Formerly no patrolrnan was in sight TO pilot
pedestrians across this dark and dangerous thorI
oughfare. The who has now been stationed
at the corner is bewildered himself that he be
comes unable TO assist any one else. A Cossack:
some days be seen stolidly seated in the saddle
of his horse, looking on all this turmoil as II IL
10 call an impudent cabman 10 order, put 70 notce
poor walkers who want To reach the ferry gate is
Misunderstanding signals and ignorant of sched-
ule time. most Of them rush madly into the miser-
able shed which represents the ferry house and
try 20 get ahead OF one another and Of more de
most all senses are onended-the nose by natural
stenches, the eye by coarse advertisements the
ear by screeching Photographs. and last but not
least the feelings by constant pushing.
Two sliding gates, opened when boat is ready
are rapidly closed when 1t IS about TO start Re
Gently man was caught and crushed when he at
tempted to pass through one OF these closing gates
Since the other gate remained open for al least a
minute longer. the man who prematurely closed his
fclled the injured passenger 10 the ground the &C
cident did not even provoke criticism.
gars description Five hundred impatient travellers
take up every inch OF standing room which is not
absorbed by vehicles Among them are generally
four young Italian bootblacks whose padrone pays
royalties 10 the company but whose services are
does not step their toes. and who, If they would
e2Hu % 71i mTe no one ~ fSese b"vs shot
Robert Balm, engineer. after he had provoked
him by crushing his foot and by slapping his face
as he reconstructed. This lad. who is thirteen years
old is in the Tombs, and will probably atone in
the reformatory for the crime he committed. He
may appeal the Legal Aid Society If the Judge
should infiict a more punishment. Ban.
who probably will recover In Bellevue from the
wound he received, may learn to he more ConSid-
crate in his treatment Of the lowly in future
From time time In rush hours similar accl-
dents occur this ferry 1t Is patronized at
other times by funeral directors. who bury the
dead in the crowded cemeteries Of NeWtown or
burn them in the Crematory at Fresh Pond; by
dwelIers in various colonies of the Long Island
Inillionaires who pass with motor cars over oiled
highways their sumptuouS homes; by Long
Island farmers who come at all times TO bring
garden truck the various markets Of Manhat-
tan; and finally, by President Roosevelt and his
friends when he distinguishes Oyster Bay by his
presence.
The ferryboats supposed 10 start every ten
minutes In the busy hours. The managers should
procure slips both sides of the river 10
facilitate more frequent trips, and employ more
intelligent at the gates and the decks to
treat passengers with common decency, The tolls
are ample to pay for better accommodation
Accidents like those related could he prevented
and room provided for the ever growing
number Of travellers. which will receive sudden
impetus If the plan TO abandon the Greenpont and
Williamsburg ferries is carried out
The excellent commissions which Governor
Hughes created for the welfare Of the city and
state of New York could no better employ their
time and energy than by the institution of such
New York Oct. IA, 1897,