New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-04
ELECTRIC CARS IN SNOW.
SERIOUS DELAYS ON THEIR LINES IN MON
DAYS STORM
CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTs-THE CAUSES En-

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTs-THE CAUSES En-
planned BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Many complaints were expressed yesterday by
residents of Harlem in regard TO the insumceht
service afforded by the underground electric street
car lines of the Metropolitan Traction Company
IN Lenox and upper Lexington ayes. Each OF these
lines connects with cable-lne from down town.
one at Lexing ton-ave and One-hundred-and-nrth-
a., and the other at Columbus-ave. and One-hun-
dred and ninth-st.
The TWO routes have become 50 popular with
shoppers that large numbers of people are trans
ferred daily at these two points In the PHEASANT
weather. which has been common this winter, the
electric cars have been run with fair regularity
and the patrons of the road have been able to make
close and easy connections. AS soon as the snow
storm began on Monday, however, the new system
deyeloped some Of the defects which had been pre-
dcted by experts. and thousands OF passengers
were seriously incommoded. Large numbers OF
people were deposited by the cabe-cars at both OF
these junction points. only TO find no electric cars
a, hand or In sight. The consequence was tha'
MANY were Obliged to stand in the storm ana wait
from ten to twenty minutes before they couid con-
tinue their journey. Others gave up the a''e"p'
in disgust, and walked east or west 10 OBTAIN ua"1
portaton the cars operated In the oid-iasiioneu
xav with horses People living along the route
suffered like discomfort. At every street corner
we're gathered a number Of people anxious Du'
not able to obtain ride down town. Inc CARE
r.xsad at irregular intervals, and IN many instances
we're from fifteen minutes to half an hour apart
Re,ween 7 and o'clock in the morning q ue-up
ACQUIRED on the west-side line which lasted iof
nearly hour. , -,
A Tribune reporter directed the attention VI
sunerintendent F. d. Rounds TO these complaints
Yesterday afternoon, and asked FOR an e~pi'"a0
OF the causes. "a =, .ta
I'VE expected more or less diIncuits' no '"'N'
.sn onerating the new electric system during
snowstorm and the entire energy ana ao''s "a
the oneratng department were utii!sed 10 'he''
utmost. We had a gang Of men stationed every Ten
or twelve blocks to clear the snow from the uacAs
and 10 make any repairs upon the cars mat ",sh'
he necessary The successful operation OF the eie,
,-ica, system depends upon proper contact WIN
tho .urface of the rail- and TO provide Tor TINS we
star,ed sweeperg as soon the snow began 10 ran
The first difficulty arose from the burning OUT "
ers thus not only disabling the sweeper. Dut tying
nm for the time being the entire road , 4,
I've had the difficulty with ,ne cars, ana ~
their case the trouble was nensned because 81 me Nc
utilize Many OF the ploughs on the cars wers
burned out and Of the cars at the end OF eacn
round trip had TO be taken into the carhouse io'
repairs , -. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS nth-st and
Co,,nbns.aya arose chiefly from the fact that the
orv grade on the electric line is at that point ana
the motors the cars could not Obtain suHcieh'
rover TO propel tnem up the grace -. 49,.
'"I:nder these circumstances. ! think tnat the
heat possble accommodation was anorueo 70 tiie
neon,a hui the accidents were SO frequent tha az
a c,o'n ordinarily used were fit for operation The
lover speed was due. Of course. TO inaplnty 10
obtain the same amount Of power as usual because
of the moisture and snow