New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-28
Mddieto,cn, y. l., Dec. 20, 1855.
DEFECTS OF NETWORK cABLE-GRIPs.

To the razor Of The Irt0uhe.
SIR: VIII yOu permit one, for many years
personally engaged in the operation OF cable railways
to mention some OF the principal defects in the system
In use in this part OF tho believe in the cable
sysem and that It bound to become general in our
large cities but II capable OF many improvements As
the result OF the amentabe accident the Bridge, the
public may be inclined raShy to condemn The entire sys
tom This would be a mistake Cheapness OF construc
ton aud speedy returns upon inves iments else an
obstinate adherence pet methods, appear to be the
governing motives with the projectors of cable roads in
the East always excepting the Bridge managers, Whose
motives are simply Pdi|e-ful.
The methods In vogue C,nd successfully in California
Tor many years be disregarded here. In Phia
dclpha the California system has to some extent been
copied; but the conduit there IN use is not con-
sructcd SD as to avoid effects Of frost and the
seoueut closing Of the SLOT" longitudinal opening,
through which passes the shank OF the grip" If the
sot be not entirely closed It nearly to create
friction that soon destroys both grip and cable The
grip in use In Philadelphia Is by no means OF the best
design.
ON tho boulevard or Tcnth.aye cable road in this
city thorc are two cables OF which is IN reserve In
flo conduit ostensby to provide against the accidental
br,nliuA, or disabling OF tho ono in usei but
should an accident happen there Is MOI pro
vision for Selling the extra caDlc except at the
terminus OF the road, and thithcr the disabled
cars must be drawn by horse power before they can
pick up" the cable There Is no AppHhce LOT pressing
up either cable route inc dement, OF tho TWO caDts
il MOI APPARENT. In Francisco when cable Is worn
out il Is taken and ono put IN In SIX hours
time and al nght. A lar better method too or working
Tia ryer" might be devised But 10 Is not my object
ninstrlc the officers OF the Boulevard Cable Railway.
fstmpIv mention few of their obvious omissions for
the information OF practical mcn
Irnun tho Bridge. OF all places safety rapidy and
eapauity TO accommodate the public are the desderaa
nm, +" grin" there IN IL clumsy, awkward con
triyauce utterly Incapable u being used upon any ex.
cent perfectly straight road 1t admits or no lateral
curve I'm the roadway. IL has supporting device for
hc cable to prevent It's dropping In case OF accidental
sight relaxation of the grip Any practical man can
zoo mat AT glance When the cable Is picked up by the
min and the car the incline the strain Is on the
nbe ahead OF the train and pulling downward from tile
r When the train follows the strain on the grip
| Z. doubled aud is both In front and behind
! This strain tho grip Is Increased In
ronortion to the number OF trains following until the
tran reaches tho top of the grade. The natural ten
dc"cv H. to pull the cable Of tho jaws OF the grip"
NJ n often docs The need OF supporting device Is
The brake used on tho Bridge is worked on the same
spindle as the grip which latter must he released
bcfnro the brake be applied. once drop cd there
is no method picking the cable except at the ends
| OF the Bridge. ,--,- , 49,, -. 49,,
remndied by devices already perfected and made pub
c but which cable managers either have not or DO
| not care TO examine. CALhokNIAN'
| Ner York. Dec, "a, 1850.