The evening world., 1891-03-27
They Affect The Tfalnmen Only, and
Do Not Cost Anything.
Everett p. Wheeler's Argument
for the Ventilation OF
the Tunnel.
East Side Associations Work to
Abate the Smoke Nuisance.

A despatch from Albany this morning states
that Secretary Hudson, of the Board OF Rail-
road Commissioners, denies that the Board
expressed the opinion In It's report on The
disaster IN the Fourth Avenue Tunnel that
electric Iighta in the tunnel would tend to make
the signal lights less visible, hut the Board did
say that the evidence before the Coroner's jury
WAS strongly against the use OF electric lights
On the present condtions), as 1t was said that
the smoke and steam would simply be illu-
minated by these lights and the signals rem
dered less visible.
The Board announces that orders have been
given to the companies operating the tunnel to
string incsn descent electric lights In one OF
the side tunnels, on the side opposite the sig
mails. to test the question practically, and also
the problem whether electric-liguts will pene-
trate fog. smoke, &c, further and clearer than
lights now in signal lamps, with the view OF
substituting electricity for oil in such lamps.
General Manager Platt, OF the Grand Central
Station, has issued the following or Ter to
trainmen running through the Fourth Avenue
Tunnel:
:Conductors. bsggagemasters and brake
men hearing audible danger signals, when It
10 evident that the eng!leer is not being
governed BY them, will stop tne train by use OF
the conductors valve, and report each case at
this once"
Following upon this lrst step In the direction
OF making safe the lives and limbs OF the thou
sands Of people daily transported through the
| tunnel, comes reported statement OF Presl-
| dent Chauncey NJ. Depew, of The New York
Central road.
Mr.. Depew is said to have given orders that
| the suggestions Of the Railroad Commissioners
Be carried out The principal changes In the
operation of the tunnel contemplated were re-
ported TO be these:
TraiUs will bo run through the tunnel at a
speed not to exceed fifteen miles an hour; the
audible signais at the home signals Will be inn
proved a. far rs practicable, torpedoes proba-
bly, being added the engineers and nremen
| will be required to furnish certificates tnat
| their eyesiGht 10 perfect and that they have
proper perception Of color, aud, as before
stated, probably hard coal, instead OF soft, will
| be burned.
hr. Depew Is reported to have said that he
was only too glad to have the Commissioners
establish rules tor the operation OF the tunnel,
but that there was one defect
| "The tunnel was designed and built" he
said. 'by act Of the Legislature, and don't
see how II can be altered except by that body.
The Railroad Commissioners at present are
not clothed with the necessary powers to au-
thorixo its alterations; but It might be best that
the Legislaturs should give them lhat power.
| "Then II tneJ ordered changes In the Tun-
mel and laid down rules for Its operation we
should have nothing to do but to carry them
out to the letter; and, this having been done,
1t should be easy TO place the responsibility
for an accident.
"The oficers OF the road would not be In con-
slant fear OF an Indictment for murder hang
ing over their heads for something which they
couldn't help. but which might be tne cause OF
q system or Of something else."
Al the Grand Central Station this morning
all knowledge OF any orders to string incan-
descent lamps on the side OF the tunnel was
denied BY the ofIicisis.
THE CITIZENS AROUSED.
The movement TO secure the proper lighting
ana ventilation OF the Fourth Avenue Tunnel
continues TO receive hearty Endorsement from
residents OF all parts Of the city.
Its progress is being watched with spec,al
interest by those who live in Park avenue
above Forty-sscond street, and THE EvENISG
WORLD Is graiifed to learn that all the resi-.
dents along the line OF the tunnel are prepared
l
has recently been introduced in the Leglsla.
ture BY Assemblyman Sclzer to compel the
railroad companies using the tunnel to provide
some means for rendering It safe for travel by
lighting and ven'ita'ing it
In fact, the PARK avenue people have had a
grievance OF long standing against the New
York Central and other railroads which run
trains through the tunnel, on account OF nui.
| W hirh Ia atnH hv
sooty smoke and steam thrown out into the
street by the locomotives
They had already taken some steps to secure
An abatement OF this nuisance, and now tha
IHE EVENING WORLD has ken the matter uI
, end proposes to 60 TO the root OF the irouo ole,
they feel that II would lie an excellent plan tC
encourage this movement and JON forces witt
the champion OF the peoples rights instead O.
carrying on an Independent campaign.
PREVIOUS PLANS FOR RELIEF.
Several years ago, when there was schem,
, on foot to build an East River bridge at sixty
a Ionrth street. and run the approaches MP tC
, Park avenue, the residents OF that yicinit,
1 organised themselves into an association tC
defend their rights and interests from such ar
attempt to interfere with or inJure the charac
ter OF the locality.
| ~ was East blue ASSOCIATION, ant
Col Emmons clark was Chairman of the Ex
= ecu;iVe Committee.
. Mr.. Everett r. Wheeler. who ia counSe
for the Association, recently appeared he or,
: the Aldermanic Railroad Committee to urP,
IN benalf OF the Association the adoption of al
ordinance compelling the New York Contra
9 and other railroads to use hard coal in tnei
locomotives, instead OF soft coal. the use O
the latter having been the source OF many com
plants from the residents OF the neig hborh BOD
A. The adoption Of the plan proposed by THl
o EVENING WORLD woud entirely oUyiale thi
dimculty, Areporter called upon Mr.. Wheele
70 obtain bis views with regard 10 the matter
HAsT SIDE ASSOCIATIONS WORK.
~ am glad TO see" he SAID, "Ihat TIL
EVENING WoRLD has taken up this matter an,
10 pushing It 90 vigorously, and hope tina, /
will succeed in its Efforts. a. Il certainly do
serves 10 do
al have no doubt that the members OF th
East side Association will give their heart
support Of the bill, which mas been Introduce,
a. Albany by AsSemblymAn sulEer, ana that
passed II will be effective.
IhsVe always been Of the opinion that N
Eourth Avenue Tunnel should be lishtsd an
y a