Year: 1879

The action of the directors Of the New
York 81" Company at their special meeting
yesterday is highly commendable, because
it settles at once and finally the question Of
danger ut their own functions So far as
it goes the suspension of the operation OF
the branches rs combinations OF sections
of the main line is evidence that the


company respects public safety sufficiently


to make an effort to insure it on


this road. 1t is also an admis-


sion that the demands Of the HERALD


in this regard were we'll founded. Sir
Boyle Roche once remarked that "the best


way 10 meet danger was to avoid it."


There is more sound philosophy in this


famous ''bull" than its worthy author gets


credit for, and we notice, with satisfaction,


that the New York IL" Company practi-


cally adopts the policy of prudence to gov


ern the operation of the road. Now, we do


not wish to be considered captious in our


criticisms Of the men and things connected


with rapid transit. but we cannot help


making comparisons which must neces-


sarily touch on tender spots. For instance,


we were assured at the outset that every


thing in the management and equipment


of the IL" roads that could be considered


essential to the safety and comfort


of passengers would be done and


provided in the most efficient and liberal


manner. The Metropolitan Company only


comfort by building a we'll laid track and


equipping the road with handsome and


comfortable cars On the other hand, the


New York IL" Company has not exhibited


similar desire to promote the comfort Of


passengers. The road, although substantial,


is not so we'll constructed as the Metropoli-
tan 81 = the rail joints do not rest on ties,


but are made between those supports, and


strain IS consequently thrown on the fish
plates, which give way slightly, SO as to
cause an unsteady movement Of the cars.
The latter are not models of comfort by
any means, and do not compare with the
handsome and almost luxurious cars of the
other road.


Neither company appears to have made
any effort to abate the nuisance created
by the sulphurous smoke and gas that
penetrate the leading cars of their trains.
We believe that the locomotive fire boxes


are. from motives of economy, made too
small to admit of the combustion Of the
gases, and that the draught created by the
exhaust steam carries into the air, and con-
sequently into the cars, much of the un-
! consumed gas. Are we unreasonable in
asking the '.L" companies to remedy such


an evil as this? Surely it is their in
terest to make travelling on the 81"


roads as comfortable as possible They
| must consider that many delicate
| persons cannot breathe this gas


charged air and are compelled to
| ride in the horse cars. One of the best


reasons why the New York 81" Company


may fear the rivalry of the Metropolitan
'.L" on the east side is the assurance given
| by the latter corporation that their Second


avenue road will be built and equipped in


o manner superior even to the Sixth ave-
nue "L." We have no reason to doubt this


assurance, and we regard the Metropolitan
IL" policy of first class construction and
| equipment as the very best that can be
| adopted for securing the hons share Of the
| valuable east side traffic. If the New York


''L" Company's managers desire to retain
the present profitable business they must
not allow their rivals to outdo them in O
generous appreciation Of public patronage.


It is not by endeavoring to cut of the


Metropolitan ''L" Company from any ad-
vantages of downtown termini that success
ho ok< hn hacf ho hack


cars and the best service will attract pas
sengers, in spite of what may prove to be
| imaginary advantages of location and mere
convenience purchased at the price Of COM
| fort.


The ''rights" Of the companies to particu-
lar routes are probably considered valuable
on the supposition that passengers will &C.
| cept any kind of accommodation that the
company in possession may choose to afford
them. This is great mistake, for passen-
gers have some interest in agreeable modes
| of travel and have abandoned the horse car
| for the 'L" road train because of the in


creased comfort afforded by tho latter.


Now the New York '.L' Company has con-


ceded that it is safer TO operate branches in
dependently of the main line and has
suspended the running of through
trains from its own branches. It must be
admitted that tho trains Of two com
panies using common length of track will
create dangers far greater than any that can


arise at the functions of one company's line.
Hence the resolutions passed yesterday by
| the Board of Directors Of the New York '.L"
apply with quintuple force to the case of


the joint occupation of the IL" road be-


twcen Beaver street and Chatham square.


and to tho proposed crossings at the latter


place. How, then, are the ''rights" OF the
two companies to the Pearl street and
! Chatham street routes to DO determined? !?


Clearly, by arbitration. What decision can