⚓ Welcome to Tidal Echoes

Series: “Youth Speaks Its Mind” (A republication of our hometown newspaper, The Suffolk County News, from 65 years ago)

Our history isn't just a timeline; it's a series of waves that shape who we are today. In this series, we revisit the bold voices of Sayville’s past. Today, we listen to William Van Essendelft as he tackles the perennial debate over the Long Island Rail Road and state subsidies in 1961.

Originally published in The Suffolk County News on February 16th, 1961. Transcribed for the Sayville Alumni Association.

The Long Island Rail Road Problem

By William Van Essendelft, Sayville High School

The Long Island Railroad has maintained for some time that the only real solution to its financial problems is a subsidy by the state. This is not a satisfactory solution. Money from the state would mean that you and I, the taxpayer, would have to contribute to the maintenance of the Long Island Rail Road even if we didn't use it. There is no reason why we should have to help maintain the railroad.

I feel that the railroad should pay for itself and that the commuter should have to pay for the services rendered him by the railroad. The person who commutes knew when he accepted his job or moved to the suburbs that he would have to commute. He also should have known that this was going to require a substantial portion of his salary. Yet, no one forced him to accept his job or move to the suburbs; therefore, the fare paid by the commuter is a self-imposed burden, but a subsidy by the state would impose a burden upon each taxpayer, a burden from which the majority would derive no benefits.

There are several ways in which the state could justifiably alleviate the burden on the railroad without imposing further taxes on the citizen. The first thing the state could do would be to reduce or eliminate the property taxes paid by the railroad. Another possibility would be the use of pressures by the state to help rid the railroad of featherbedding. A final solution would be an effort by the state to persuade the federal government to allow greater depreciation allowances for the railroad.

These are just suggestions which seem to be more compatible with Western conceptions of government-industry relations. The ways in which the state could help the railroad would by no means completely solve the deficit problems of the railroads; therefore, the only way to make up the difference is to charge the commuters a realistic fare.

⚓ Cast Your Thoughts

How do these words from 1961 land today? Reflecting on William Van Essendelft's insights:

• william argues that commuting is a "self-imposed burden"—do you remember the commute from sayville in the early 60s? was it as much of a financial strain then?
• his ideas for property tax relief and depreciation are still debated today—do you think the lirr has become more or less of a "taxpayer burden" over the last 60 years?
• what do you think of his call for "realistic fares" vs. state subsidies in the context of modern long island life?