New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-16
THE NOISE IN sIXTH.AVENUE.

OPINIONS AS TO THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPERT
MENTs WITH FELT AND RUBBER-sUGGEsTIoSs
RECEIVED BY VARIOUS OFFICIALS OF THE CON-
PANY.
Various opinions we're given, yesterday, by
the shOpReepers on sixth-ave, between Seventeenth
and Eghteenth-sts aud Eighth and FOurteenthsts as
to the Of the attempt 10 deaden the noise OF the
passing trains on the Metropolitan Elevated Railway,
by mung the track with heavy felt and rubber wash
ers which had been put in place on Sunday. Along the
block between Seventeenth and Eghteenth-sts. the
persons who were asked about equally divided In
opinion One-half thought there had been great deal
less nose the other half thought it just as bad as
ever II not One two persons said that when
train passed which had curtain Of felt fastened 10
the lower edge Of the the din was noteeaby less
Opinions to the amount Of the diminution also
varied Some thought the noise only half as great;
others thought perhaps eighth less reporter
Of THE TRIBUNE listened carefully to the noise OF the
passing trains at points where attempt to mufie the
track had been made and then took position in the
block where felt had been used He could not detect
any difference in the amount of noise at these two
points His experence between Eighth and Fourteenth
SITS was the same None of the shopkeepers there seemed
to think the din had decreased Persons on the trains
noticed change in the sound the cara rolled on to
the muflcd track The company intends to continue
the work at the points mentioned as fast as possible
until there can be doubt about the effect one way or
the 0tner Tn6 experiment. OI TenONibB buo ou'OA
guard-rai was also tried week ago. The heavy iron
fined beams from Twenty-third-st, as far south as
Elghteenth-st taken up, but 1t was not noticed
that the noise was lessened.
Many suggestions have made to the company for
remedyinR the din One thought the best way to
reduce the noise SiXthaye. would be 70 change the
road over to seyenthave" Another thought It would
be best to take the entire affair down and throw 1t into
the North River Among those which were given in Al
seriousness a proposition TO Enclose the
rails within two lateral walls OF wood OF a
practicable height and fill this receptacle
with tan bark until the rails covered
to the depth Of an inch Tan bark being light and elias
tic, will neither obstruc cucumber, but II viii silence
the horrid lullaby" Another and not ineligible
suggestion make air box the length OF the cars
closed on the bottom and sides, put platform under
the car and let 1t hang down as to the track
possible This should be made Of light wood and might
be lined with some material which would deaden sound
Thus the train moved along, the apparatus would
catch up the air and discharge behind before 1t had
chance vibrate Another man proposed 10 nave the
locomotive engines wheels they now, and have
them run the track IL is but the he would put
upon runners after the fashion OF sledges These run
ners would move in grooves which should be kept well
oiled This inventor offered this information with the
remark that he gave IL willingly, having already taken
the necessary steps to secure patent Another sug
gestiOn was TO cover the wheels with rubber bands
Many letters have been received from persons who are
certain they remedy all the trouble II they are only
permitted TO take charge OF the entire matter