The New York herald., 1921-10-16
Handy Excuse for Evasion.


explained it. The Constitution. as usual,
Is in the way. It IS never in She way OF
the city paying money. but ct always
comes handy when the city IS TO get
anything in return. Well, il that is all
that stands in the way of the city secur-
ing the representation on its debt to
which It Is entitled, the path Is wide open
TO correcting that particular glaring in
justice in the plan.
And so we arc getting on famously
with the making OF a better plan AT
this rate OF progress believe that in
the end We shall succeed in evolving
just plan that VIII guarantee five cent
fare and protect the rights OF the city.
Thus equipped, we shall confront the
question OF whether the roads will take
that sort OF Il plan. My answer is that
il they don't take 1t there is ample pres
sure at hand that can be justly brought
to bear to make them feel glad and for
tunate to get it, if the commission or
the city will exercise that pressure. which
they will then be more than justified III
doing
The wisdom or the commission In
announcing that it has and will keep
an open mind becomes more and more
manifest as the discussion proceeds.
Let US hope that it will continue 70
open wider and wider until the COM
mission can see still more clearly the
citys side. of this problem. Then we
shall reap results
IA preliminary to the unihcation OF
the transit lines of the city. as con-
terlplated by the Transit Commission,
announcement was made yesterday OF
plans for comprehensive "trip count"
study OF surface traffic currents in the
five boroughs. This will be undertaken
70 afford data whcreon the commission
may determine what lines shall be re-
tanned, and what, il any, scrapped.
some Lines to he Dropped.
The ultimate plan for the relief OF
New York's transit ills will, in the
opinion OF experts, necess.tate the dis
continuance Of several little used and
unirnportant lines. the contemplated
"trip count study is to be mado in an
attempt to determine just what actual
use is made OF each surface line in
the city, whether q through route or an
intermediate method Of travel. The as
distance OF the public is urgently re-
quested in the Forthcoming study Of
surface conditions which win be begun
l~in Manhattan an1 extended to the
other four boroushs. Extensive prepara-
tions have been made and some pre-
| liminary tentative counts already com
! piled.
! Each surface linc is 10 be taken W
F., separately. Signs viii be posted in each
@: the cars where inspections are to take
place for several days prior to the be-
ginning OF the counts. These will be a.
an informative character. stating the
reason FOR the count and urging tie
assistance OF tho public.
Cards have been printed which viii
be handed 20 passengers on each OF the
lines involved. These will request In
formation regarding the lines the pass
enger ordinarily uses getting TO lis des-
tination, the number Of transfers re-
uuired. the name of the street corner az
which hts trip begins and the corner OF
final destination.
The passengers also will be requested
TO inform the Transit Commissions in
spectors whether he paid 4 cash fare on
the car in which the count is taifen or
/ whether he presented "A two cent or a
FREQ franefer