The Great Collapse: Higher Fares Or Public Ownership is a book written by Louis Waldman in 1919. The book discusses the collapse of the New York City subway system during the early 20th century and the debate over whether to raise fares or to take control of the system through public ownership. Waldman argues that the collapse was a result of the system being privately owned and operated for profit, rather than being run for the benefit of the public. He suggests that public ownership would provide a better solution, as it would prioritize the needs of the riders rather than the profits of private companies. The book also delves into the history of the subway system and the political and economic factors that led to its collapse. It examines the role of government regulation and the influence of powerful business interests on the transportation industry. Overall, The Great Collapse: Higher Fares Or Public Ownership is a thought-provoking analysis of the challenges facing urban transportation systems and the potential benefits of public ownership. It remains relevant today as cities continue to grapple with issues of public transportation and the role of government in regulating and managing these systems.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.