The New York herald., 1870-01-04
BROADWAY GAZING In.
The Great Bore Under the Great
ThOrOughfare.
Deep and Dark Operations by the Pneu-
matte Transit Company Mayor Of
the City Refused Internationally
Has No Business to Interfere''-
Must Apply to Subordinate
but Independent Official
for Light - What
Does It Mean2

ne malhtudes which daily and hourly travel MP and
down Broadway in the vicinity OF the City Han PARK
must have noticed that the pavement between war
rem and Murray street had sunk settled to the depth
Of from ak to nine inches. 1t was not dImcuIt to
1nd many who were ready to hurl anathemas upon
the contractor having charge OF the pavement on
Broadway, and to allege that he had not given
proper solid foundation to his otherwise substantial
looking pavement and that the settling OF the road
way in that much travelled locality was owing to
some defect In the bed Of the pavement or dercic.
ton on the part OF the superintendent and con-
structor. Mr.. Charles Gudet, the contractor
Tor the paving OF Broadway and the
paientee OF The granite pavement lately
laid observed the depressions on the surface
OF the street, and. after cursory examination.
reported to Mayor Hall yesterday that he had reason
to suppose the excavations being made by the Pneu-
matte Transit Company had much TO do with the IN
terercnce OF the surface OF the street. suggested
that 1t might be well to hav an examination made
OF the manner and progress OF the work. in order TO
determine whether or not there were any reasons
for such snrmises. Mayor Hall said he had noticed
that the street had become somewhat depressed
and was at loss TO account for it. He thought
therefore, that as chief executive OF the city and
being supposed TO have authority to care for the
welfare and safety Of the lives and property OF the
citizens aud others using the streets ne
could request, II not order, an exanfna-
ton to be made In accordance with Mr.
Guidets suggestion. He consulted the law
creating the company having charge OF the excava-
tion and came the conclusion that inasmuch as 1t
was public company making use Of the public
streets and thoroughiares there would be no hesta-
ton IN giving any information which might, could
would or should be OF interest to the public and
necessary to allay any fear that might be engen
dered Of serious results from the undermining OF a
thoroughlare on which so much ana such weighty
and valuable trairc was necessarily carried on
during business hours. He consulted with the
appropriate committees OF the Common Council and
by and with their advice and sanction appointed
Mr.. Gmdet as agent to examine and report OH the
nature and condition OF
THE WORK GOING ON UNDER BROADWAY,
and report whether, under the circumstances IL
might not be found expedient TO Close Broadway in
that portion under which the excavations were being
made. Mr.. Guldet, armed with duly prepared docu
ments OF authority and accompanied by HERALD
reporter repaired 10 the entrance OF the cave which
located under Dcvln's building, on the southerly
corner OF Broadway ana Warren street. Carefully
picking his steps through the piles OF lumber iron
ana debris which cucumber Warren street, near
Broadway, he was descending the ladder leading to
the work when the bury aborer, who stood as Ger
berus at the mouth OF the cave, took hold OF the
ladder and III most excited manner cried ont,
"G'up g'up out u rnat Ye can't COON down
here. Cup, say, out o. thatn AZ Mr.. Gudet did
not SHOW any lntenton to .'gup'' the man below
commenced to shake the ladder and caught hold OF
one OF Mr. Gudct's feet II he we're determined to
send him down, but not the visitor wished to CO.
out, let the man down. VII he speaks
10 you. 20 you want to knock him OF
and, ana illl % M" Mr.. Cerberns allowed Mr.
superintendent was, pointed TO thlniaced man
WHO stood near the excavation on the other side.
The thn-raced man mad "a sharp, hooked nose and
very short ana brstly-lo0kipg crop OF hair his
upper lip. He told The visitors to come around
" the Broadway entrance. Tue VISITORS then
front oi DsvlT sssrs sceynea the basem ent steps.
Here tAa gdpHefl1tendent i. the tlln -iaced man
called himself, was found. IN comcsn1 WIN Ie,.s
ton fn gray, and surrounded by couple OF Cifly
looking desks boxes containing iron nuts, and tools,
and small safe and comparative darkness The
only light admitted to the place came through the
the work was conveyed to the mine. In the exca-
vation under Deyiin's building Is an immense, inde
machinery, and at the bottom concave sneet OF
cast iron some twenty ve thirty feet In diameter.
Mr.. GuideC presented his credentials and after they
had been scrutinlzed and slowed away IN an inner
pocket by the superintendent" tue latter cooly
said, II think
in this business. we are gong on with the work
according 10 law" conversation mainly as iol-
lows tlieH sprung up:-
Mr.. GuIpET-i observe that the street above your
excavation IS depressed some nine incnes, ana l
would like to examine Tor the purpose OF satisfying
myself IN regard to the cause
Observation-Disclosures, you can't examine now,
as the tunnel Is not quite cleaned out yet.
MIR. GUlDET-How long before can make the
examination?
SUPERiNrENDENT-I don't know. few days,
PERHAPS rl send you WORD to your office.
Mr. GUmET-I am going away down East In few
days apd would Ike to make the examination before
gO away.
Vail TIA / ASR 10 IA ON
tunnels
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES bottom OF the tunnel is
twenty feet below the surface OF the street.
Mr.. GuIDET-What are the dimensions OF your
tubeg
SUPgRINTENDENr-Well ] think you had better see
General Greene, Of the Croton Board about tnat. He
give you all information In regard to the matter
We don't care about letting the public know too
much about our business just yet. You will make
your report 10 the Mayor as public Official and the
report would be published in iul In all the papers
Mr.. GUIDET-Are those tubes now on the street the
MISUNDERSTANDING; that Is the machinery for
blowing.
the tunnels
SUPERINTENDENT On they are all in as far as the
work has gone. They were put down long time
ago.
Mr.. GuIDEr-well, you won't allow US to see the
work?
SUPERrsTENDENT-No sir; not to-day. You had
better General Greene about the matter II you
want any information.
The visitors. alter some further unimportant con-
once reported 10 Mayor Hall the result OF their
INTERVIEW Mayor Hall Immediately wrote note
to General Greene, informing hin OF the report
which had been made TO hlIn and requesting the
Croton Boaro 10 make full examination and report
on tRe safety Of the work. General Greene sent to
the May0r, IN reply, a communication stating
that he had made almost daiiy examinations
OF the excavations and was saiisied that the
work was perfectly safe. Mr.. Guidct In delivering
the letter OF Mayor Hall TO General Greene informed
him that he had observed
THE PAVEMENT CAvING IN,
qat hat hec nj fha nf
the Pneumatic Tube Company. General said. "Oh,
no; you know the Gas Company laid pipes there
some time ago and they properly repaired the
street after then.n Mr.. Guldet informed MIN that
the depression after the laying Of the pipe was only
lew feet wide and had been repaired all along but
that the depression or which he spoke was only
the excavations made by the company and extended
across tue street. and that Mayor Hall was contem-
plating as to whether he should cut on the travel
and traffic IN order TO prevent any possible danger
or loss Of life. General Greene stated ne would call
on the Mayor himself IN regard to the matter, but
instead or calling he sent the communication above
referred to. In the meantime
THE SUPERINTENDENT. .sEEs TIE MAYOR,
and has talk with him. lie informed the Mayor
quite pointcdy tnat he the Mayor had no business