The New York herald., 1879-03-02
SAFETY ON IHB u.s.
Shortcomings that Suggest
Increased Precaut tions.
The HAND ON The THROTTLE VALVE.
Dangers Incidental TO the Use
Of Common Tracks.
CHATHAM SQUARE CROSSING.

The patronage extended by tho public to the rapid
transit roads being operated In this city shows
that their construction has supplied great and
pressing want which the bad and selfish management
OF the surface roads during many years rendered
very apparent. Few who have experienced the mis-
cries OF winter travel by horse cars in New York
will forget them. and the experiences
OF the present season. which. although not wholly
free from discomfort. have been rapidity and regu
larty of transit. show what advance has been
made toward successful solution Of the problem OF
city travel We no longer compelled to sit. or
stand on wet straw in foul smelling. crowded car,
drawn slowly along by pair of jaded horses guided
by . tired poorly paid and overworked driver. De-
cency is no longer outraged for the traveller
by disgusting dialogues between drunken
rufians the rear platform unruly
rowdies in the car itself. Conductors do
not now charge through the packed passengers like
Wild Texan steers in search of some possible would
be deadhead. Civility has to some extent taken the
place Of the brutal insolence which passengers,
and especially ladies. have been subjected by the
captains bold" OF the horse In a
word. an immense Improvement is perceptible since
the monopoly Of city passenger transportation has
been broken up by the construction and operation of
the rapid transit elevated roads.
u
1t would afford everybody, not excluding even the
managers Of the IL" roads themselves. it is to be
hoped. satisfaction If circumstances would admit of
the attainment of the maximum of comfort in travel
ling these lines. But the passenger traffic
is heavy at certain hours that the evil of crowdng
has attached itself to the enjoyment Of rapid transit
This is admittedly due to the fact that the CON-
panies maintain distinction of fares be-
tween the time when many people want to
travel up and down town and that when the
traffic is not great. Few people of moderate
means are willing to pay ten cents when bH waiting
from half to one hour they ride for five cents
Consequently there is rush within few hours
each morning and evening which renders travelling
on the IL" roads uncomfortable to o certain degree
and by means void Of danger. 1t is said that
the companies are considering reduction Of the
fares to uniform charge of FIVE cents If true
vssdom governs their councils they will speedily
decide on such a step being calculated to pro-
mote their interests and the comfort and safety
of the travelling public. Nothing to be more
absurd than to posted in whose interior and
platforms are packed with passengers notice by the
company to the effect that passengers strictly for
hidden to ride on the platforms. Not long ago a
HERALD reporter, who had resolved to test the app
cation of this rule. was rudeiy refused by New
York IL" brakeman the privilege" of standing
on the platform of south bound train on the
ground that such privilege" was reserved for off,
GERS of the road and officers o: the law, e.. men,
bers Of the finest police the world. At the same
timscrowdcd north sound trains were passing and
the double platforms the reporter counted from
eighteen to twenty-five passengers packed that it
was with diflicuty any could enter leave Q car
at the station.
STOPPING AND STARTING.
The unexpected traffic has had another effect on
the operation Of the New York "L" road which de-
serves mention. When the trains first began to run
extraordinary precautions taken to bring them
exactly opposite the platforms of the several stations
and so that the passengers could enter or
leave the cars by any door. Now 1t is by
means unusual to find the platform Of the
last projecting beyond the end of the station
platform. and so that no passenger leave by the
rear door. When the crowded it is a mere
matter of chance whether q passenger at the rear
end Of the last get ont at his or her
station. Within a few days . reporter of the
HERALp noticed that this occurred at three
consecutive stations and some ladies and children
were carried aud two stations further down
town than they wanted to 60. This trouble is wholly
due to careless driving. for the engineer ought to
know exactly how far the locomotive should move
% as to bring every car opposite tho station plat
form. Again, to careless driving may be attributed
the rude shocks given TO the train. we'll as
to the road structure. by the sudden start
ings and stoppings Of the engine the
use of the steam brakes. The strength
OF tho structure may stand these unnecessary jars
for good while. but the inevitable result must be q
dangerous weakening of the road the stations.
1t is also noticeable that the signal to start the train
Is often given by a brakeman while passengers are
getting on or of another platform. The rule on the
Metropolitan "L is much better, because the signal
10 given from the station platform when all Is ready.
FUNCTIONS AND CROSSINGS.
The foregoing remarks intended to show that
there is room for improvement in the ordinary op-
Grafton Of the "L" roads, even where the trains
run straight tracks How much interest at
taches to the points where functions or crossings
occur can be seen when It rs considered that at
these the element of positive danger is introduced.
Taking the case Of simple junction such as
that between the main line and the Eighth avenue
branch, at Fifty third street and Sixth avenue now
completed and in daily usc. Il will be sccn from the
annexed diagram that the up branch trains must
cross the down main track ut Ffty.third street.
rrYrY.THrRp STREET JUNCTION.