New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-01-07

casiOn to state, the trains OF the two lines using
the tunnel raced for precedence Of ontrsuce. A
narrow escape of two Of them from Wholesale
destruction led to our exposure OF the reckless
practice, and the General Superintendent
directed the temporary stoppage of ell trains at
each end of the tunnel. This precaltion, and
the sole one taken, has prevented several
serious collisions. Brt il does not suffice.
Nor does that requiring no train to follow
another into the tunnel till five minutes have
elapsed after the entrance ofthe preceding one.
This rule has been proved insufficient by two
severe collisions, attended with fatal results.
to our positive knowledge-and we believe
that others, not reported, have occurred
in tho same way. And how should
it SUFFICE Bergen Tunnel is 400 feot
long. 1t is wholly unlighted. Most OF it Is
n rough arch, blasted through tho rock,
unsustaned by masonry, and loose stones are
liable to fall at any moment upon the track.
There are no trackmcn stationed within the tun.
nell no means of communication between the
fagmcn stationed at each end; no prccaution
against such casualties as that OF Thursday, III
which, by the breaking Of coupling portion
Of the train was left upon the track with its
precious freight Of human life, for the train fol-
lowing TO crash into and dash to atoms; no
precauton hey Ond that which the conductor is
bound to observe, by displaying signal light
on the end Of his train. i'll case Of accident or
detention. aud Fastening back to place torpe.
do on the track in advance of the approaching
train. To do all this, to discover that his train
has beeu discovered, stop the engine, seize his
danger. signal, find his torpedo, ana run back to
place il on tho track, distance sufficient to
insure safety to his own tran--thc separated
portion of which may be hai.a-milc behind-he
has just fire minstes. Was there ever such
cruel folly before Such rule is an insult
to common sense. Yet this is the sole pre-
caution which the New-lork and Eric Railway
Company intepoSe between the lives OF their
passengers and destruction.
We had hoped, in common with the pubic
at large, that having dispensed with the services
of the late Eastern and General Superintend.
ents. under whom so many disasters occurred
last wear, that change for the better would take
place with the new incoming officers Thus
far they have made but poor beginning. Let
them at once set about abaLing old abuses.
Bergen Tunnel at present is dangerous pub
lie nuisance; and with more trains. will become
a great deal worse. II should lie lighted. ven.
tilated and thoroughly policed; signal-inen,
within sight Of each other, should DO stationed
throughout its length, with lamps suitable for
signaling the condition Of the track, desig-
mating by colors whether trains may go ahead,
slacken speed or come TO q full stop. An cleo.
trio telegraph through it might indicate the
entrance AID exit of each train at both
ends No train should enter the tunnel
with its head.lamp unlghted. Now they are
only lighted at night-why not at all
hours in this region Of perpetual night Thus
far all collisions in The tunnel have taken place
in the daytime, showing the value OF this pre-
caution. Unloes it is required both night and
day, with hundred trains or more laundering
through in the twenty -four hours. rock looscned
by frost. or conclusion, will some time hurl halfa
score of cars and half thousand people To de-
structoD in tie midst OF that terrible tunnel.
Something must be done, and that at once. All
that is required to make the transit perfectly
safe IS the application OF little prudent
common sense The needn't precautions will
cost the company infinitely less than any one Of
their very numerous criminal collisions.
,xnll he 70