The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-30
SHORT CABLES FOR SAFETY.
THE BOARD OF HEALTH TACKLES
DEAD MANS CURVE.

The Sanitary superintendent Advises Putting
In Three short Gables mt Three Curvos-A
Resolution Onered TO Liuit the speed or
Cars ON tho Curves to Two Silies nm Hour.
At the regular meeting OF the Board of Health
yesterday the following communication from
DR.. Charles F.. Roberts, the Boards Sanitary
Superintendent, was received:
would respectfully call your attention to the
continued number of accidents and loss OF lito
due to the high rate of speed at which the cable
run from. East Fourteenth street and Union
square to East Fifteenth street, at the junettons
avenues, and at Broadway and state street.
This, In my opinion, Is due to the fact that tho
grip must firmly grasp the cable, and therefore
the car must be propelled at the maximum rate
at which the cable is run. As long us this rate
Of speed is maintained at these points accidents
will occur and human life. will be impcrilIed;
The reason 1t lie required TO pass, around these
curves at the maximum speed Ia that II the grip
were open SO as to ailoM The b, cable nhf. TO slip; n, The
grip. This tension OF the cable Is due to four
factors.
First.-The length OF the cable.
second.-The number Of curves on road.
Third The number Of cars on the cable.
Fourth.-The length Of radius OF the curves.
The cable upon which the cars are run, in pass
ing the curves at Fourteenth street and Union
Square and Fifteenth street extends from
Houston, street to Thirty-sixth street and re-
attached to the cable.
in Fh the ss .Sry spS at y @sss Fl Fiit SstS nFT s strsa IT P ssS:
enth and Ninth avenues, extends from Fiftieth
street and seventh avenue to 10th street and
curves on the line and many cara attached TO
The cable upon which the cars are run in pass.
ing tho curve at State street and broadway eK-
tends from Houston street and Broadway to the
Battery and return. There are i've curves and
many cars attached to tho cable.
tTwenty.third street and Lexington avenue
and Twenty-third street and Broadway the cars
pass around the curves at q slow rate OF speed
because tho tension of the cable Is low. The
gripman can open tho cable at this point SO as
Ing pulled out OF the grip. and with the aid Of
the brake even to STOP, the car on the curve
from Mtan' Tws tGS,Sf fhs street Setl and i hesi HsptS e avenue
to- Twenty.second street and Broadway and re-
e ears; att taSrs H tD t qnls sa tTo curves and but few
In order to obviate the running of the cars at
the high rate Of speed at the four points desig.
these various points in the same manner as the
cable running from Twenty.ifth street and
broadway and return. These should be as fol-
lows:
From Thirteenth to Sixteenth streets. Broadway
Fifty fourth street and Ninth avenue and return:
Ing Green and return.
Thess in my opinion. II constructed WOULD as-
mitted. CHARLES F. RoBERTa,
San. Superintendent
Following the reading and filing Of the COM
munication, Police Commissioner Moss, who, by
virtue Of his office, is a momber of the Board of
Health. offered the following resolution:
No conductor. driver, or gripmano of any rail-
road car or other vehicle running on tracks in
the city of New York, shall allow or cause tho
same TO be pulled, drawn, or propelled on or
around any curve or any public street or aye
nue. at a greater rate OF speed than two miles
an hour. And no director, President. superin.
tendent, or other person who is interested IN, or
who owns or controls any such car or vehicle.
shall permit 1t to be 40 pulled. drawn, or pro-
PEELED. This section OF the Sanitary Code Is
adopted for the purpose OF preventing accidents
by which life or health may be endangered.
In the usual custom Of the board, action on
the resolution was deferred until the next regu-
lar meeting.