The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-07
LIGHT ON A DARK SUBJECT.
a sun REPORTER EXPLORING THE
PNEUMITIC TUNNEL.
Rneumatic Transit ExpIa ined-IIistoryo Of the
Present Enterprise-The Mysteries Tn

Rnepmstic Transit Expia ined-IIistoryo Of the
Present Enterprise-Tae Myrteries Jn-
ravciied-Nayor Halls Complaint.
Yesterday morning we entered the Pneumatic
Despatch tunnel at the only entrance, Broadway
and Warren street, and are able to say that we
have learned the mysteries OF the enterprise. The
secrecy which heretofore has been necessary in
constructing the Pneumatic Despatch tunnel Is now
unravellcd. The ponderous machinery which has
appeared from time to time Devllns store, cor
DER OF Broadway and Warren street and has suddenly
sunk into the depths below, has astonishcd ALL Not
even the immediate neigbors Of the Devhns knew
where the tunnel passed. All to be known or learned
about the mysterious subterranean passage Is here
given to the half million readers OF 1'uE Sun.
PNEUMATIC DEsPArHrSG.
Pneumatic dcspatchng consists Of q railroad track
enclosed In tube, the being driven BY atmos.
pherc pressure. The car efectually Is a piston,
moving within the tube. The velocity OF the car Is
In proportion TO the degree Of atmospheric pressure
which Is produced by means Of fan or blower ope-
rated by 4 stationary steam engine The mechanism
for operating the Pneumatic Despatch is Of the sim
plest description. A car, tube, a revolving fan
Little more Is required. The locomotive, with its
ponderous appurtenances Is dispensed WITH and the
aerial fluid that we breathe Is the substituted motor.
II Is no chimera. 1t has been In practical operation
In London for the last seven years. Il has been
demons trated that It has
ECONOMICAL ADVANTAGES
over the present railway system, aud undo ubtedly
must become extensively used. Air rushes througl,
vacuum at the rate Of 100 miles 40 hour. This rate
can be approached with proper finish TO the tubes
and machinery. The pneumatic passenger cars at
Bydenham, England, made - miles an hour with
m atmospheric pressure OF only two and a half
ounces to the square inch. Cars on the old Cruy.
I.N- IA hlar
set there were many lcakages. A hundred miles
an hour will be made. II Is expected. the pncu-
matte railway now being constructed underneath
the streets OF New York. The first experiment In
pneumatic dospateLing was made at Patterson
Fields, near London, In 1851. Then followed
the successful London and Croydon Pneumatic Rail-
way, Whitehall Pneumatic Railway aud Others in
England and different parts Of Germany.
The Beach Pneumatic Transit Company, which has
been astonishing the people sud tie press, he an
June I, 1868, when charter was obtained authoriz.
ing them to construct one or more cuenmaiic tube.
under the beds OF the North aud Fist Ri,cr~
through winch they are authorized 10 convey letters
Dackases, mails, and merchandise.
ORGANIZATION.
The Company was then regularly Organized
Alfred y. Beach. Of the ScieHtFc Anerclid, was
made President joseph Dixon, secletary; Moses ;.
Beseh Tr SsI AMI Gnsries n Grhan TSn
diatcly on obtaining the charter, aud a tunnel i've
feet In diameter was commenced Meantime the
Croton Board gave the necessary permission TO the
said Pneumatic Tlansi; Company TO locate and con-
struct their tube or tunnel from point on Nassau
street, in front of the Post once, aud between
Liberty aud Cedar streets, through Nassau and in
the middle Of said street TO Cedar street. thence
by to the middle OF Cedar street and
along the middle OF Cedar street 70 near Broadway,
thence on a curve Ia the middle OF Broadway, and
northerly along the middle Of Broadway 70 Warren
street, with connections with the Post Once, and
with the building at the southwest corner of Warren
street and Broadway.
The Postmaster, the Hon James Kelly, believing
himrelf TO be unauthorized by law, refused to per-
init the connection Of the tubes with the Post once,
and the Company were ccmDee to postpone the
construction of their works until amendment
could be had at Albany Another applica-
tion was made TO the Legislature, and u supplement
airy bill Obtained empowering the Company to irs {
construct their railroad from Warren street, near
Broadway, southcrly TO the intersection of Cedar
street, and giving the Croton Aqueduct Department
power to establish regulations TO prevent int rfer-
enee with ahJ OF the sewers and gaspipes, or with
any OF the streets &C,