New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-24
THE TUNNEL DISASTER.
INVESTIGATION By THE GRAND JURY.
MR.. pEPEw EXPECTED TO TEsTIFY-PLANs FOR
LIGHT AND VENTILATION.

Nns 49,
LIGHT n VENTILATION.
The Grand Jury yesterday began It's investigation Of
the disaster in the ew-York Central tunnel. by which
sx persons lost their lives, on February 30 at Eighty.
sixth-st. No facts of importance were discovered
which had not been told at the cOrOner's inquest.
The following witnesses were examined yesterday
Charles II. Plat, who has charge of the tracks and
trains between Mott Haven and the Grand Central
station Louis l.. Fowler, engineer. and Charles A.
wellington, fireman, both Of the train that was
wrecked Daniel L. Cubred. a trainman John Juno,
a track walker; Martin A. MCGOWAN, a police sergeant;
Edward J. Breen, a signal operator; William ii. BIun-
son, a CONDUCTOR; Daniel Sweeny, foreman OF the car
cleaners; Lucius futile, general manager Of the New
York. Haven and Hartford Railroad Company ;
and william D.. Bishop, secretary OF the New-Haven
road. Assistant DistrictAttorney Wauhope Lynn reed
extracts from the minute book of the directors Of the
New Haven road.
Chauncey NJ. Depew and the other officers and
directors of the railway company who were held in
5000 bail each by Coroner Levy on charges of
manslaughter will probably testify before the Grand
Jury to-day. District-Attorne Nicoll said yesterday
that the defence Of the railway officials was that the
victims of the accident died from broken and crushed
homes, and not from burning or suffocaton. On
March 8 Mr.. NicOll had the bodies of two Of the per-
cons who were killed, John Murray and James Il.
rlynn, which are buried In Calvary Cemetery. Long
Island. exhumed. An autopsy was made by Deputy
Coronsrs Donlln and Conway, and DR.. Allen Van Dyke
hamilton, which disclosed the fact that both men died
from their burns.
The Committee on Railroads of the Board Of Aldermen
continued its hearing on the question of ventilating ana
lighting the tunnel yesterday. Aldermen Harris, Brown
TERRELL, Murphy, Darling and Chairman Morgan were
pesent. Among those in attendance were a number
~ electrical experts and railroad men, including Everett
p Wheeler, representing the East Side Association
Aldermen Flynn and Clancy, ex-Alderman McLarney,
william J. Hammer and Howard Constable. Thomas
A Edison sent a communication expressing his regret
at being unable TO attend.
Mr.. Hammer was Mr.. Edlson's representative at the
Paris Exposition. and is all expert of wide experience
In giving his views yestet day he said that many OK
periments have been made, but the arc light was not
suitable for penetrating fog. AS a matter OF TACT, lie
said. the old-fashioned oil lamp still retained It's SUPERB
ority. When asked as TO the efficacy of the mean
descent Light in tunnels, lie said he had examined the
,unnel at Eighty sixth-st., and had found many pre-
cautions for safety, which. however, could be increased
nv the use Of some kind Of artificial light, such as the
incandescent. Gas. lie said. would not be aNallaple' lot
various causes. The incandescent came as near TO Day
light as possible, not requiring oxygen to support com
bustion, and a shade could be placed so that a hsht
xould never Strike the eyes of the engineer or fireman.
He thought the lights should be placed near te
ground. and be regulated in accordance with the condi-
ZION ~ the atmosphere. The smoke and steam also
should he attended 10. Mr.. Hammer said he had VS.
tied the tunnel in the morning, and not Only hau He
fourd difficulty IN breathing. but he had seen passing
trains force the smoke. steam aad gases from one SIDE
NJ the tunnel TO the other. This fault, he thought, could
no remedied by the use Of enormous fans, such as are
psed to clcar mires and other underground WORKS IN
cuestiopatly. he said, the proper waY 10 hght inc
tunnel would be by iuCandescent lights If necessary OF
GRAFT candle power. TO clear the tunnel thoroughly IL
should be either opened at the top from END TO cho' Ok
pr, idcd with shafts ard an automatia system OF drafts
Mr.. Constable's testimony was confined almost OK
cIusively TO the ventilation of tunnels along the INES
NJ the PENNSYLVANIA, Reading and Erie railroads. WIFI
all of which he had been connected. Fog. lie said' was
te source of opaque air in the FOurtlraVe. tuihel' anu
there W no relief from this cause Of trouble, as even
with a central shaft, the automatic draft would suck
in the fog as well as expel ii. Electric ignts' now
over at the bottom of the tunnel. at intervals ol hNo
feet might do very we'll for ordinary illumination.
Everett p. Wheeler said that IN MS OPINION IL Md'
nossihle TO mitigate the horrors OF the fOurth-aNc' Iul,
rpeI nv a corporation ordinance. lie SAID tleie were
manv fine residences along Park ave. whose "'upan.s
we're ANNOYED by the smoke nom engines ~" ~
tba cuInahility of french. The company snouu cum,
nnI he employees to conform to the rules aucHlS Liri
toun or he made to paw a penalty fof eacn NloIdtoH'
II the Board of Aldermen would pass an orulllahtc "a
bibitinr the use of bituminous coal the meinuers vi
tho "a. Side Association would see TO II tlat II wa
enforced. The hearing was then adlourhcu u"'n nv
The committed will probably prepare a bnc1 lePor.
,o- nre sentatiOn at tOday's meeting OF INC hodIu Va
IAidermen simply recommending a COMPREHENSIVE sNS-
~ ~ 80 yentilaiion TO tho railroad authorities. ana ihc
tem u ~ an ordinance prohibiting the use Of bit1-
minous coal by locomotives passing through 'pe 'uiNc