The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-06
THE HEAT IN GOTHAM.

New York Press.

by the Torrid Wave.
New York Press.
The hot weather brought home to the
directors and managers of the Metropolitan
Street-railway Company a wholly unex-
pected and startling proposition. On the
surface il appears that In the construction
of the Broadway and Forty-second street
roads no attention was paid 10 the expan-
sion OF rails, which is one Of the most i'm
portant features of steam railroad build
ing. Children in primary schools know
that If it were not for expansion and con-
traction il would be possible 10 so weld the
ends of steel rails together as 10 make a
track without a joint between New York
and Philadelphia. or New York and Buff
falo, or New York and any other city on
this continent. That would do away with
fsh-plates and bolts. and there would be q
saving in operating expenses amounting 10
at least half of the net income OF a road.
You have noticed the man at the crossing
OF the Forty-second street and Broadway
roads flushing the slots with water from a.
hose. He Is not there for his health, but
TO enable Mr.. Whitney's cars 10 pass that
little spot. The terrible heat caused an
unexpected expansion in the steel. which
closed the slots so that what used to be the
grip bar. but is now the arm that reaches
came ismmsd. Bringing the car 10 a sud
den halt. The only thing TO do in the way
of temporary relief was TO keep the steel
parts cool. and millions OF gallons of good
Croton water have been used for the pur-
pose. In Fifty-third street this trouble
was first noticed. A blockade there could
(who may receive a valentine next year.
suggested expansion. investigation proved
that he had hit the nail on the head. and
surface railroad men IN New York learned
one of the great lessons Of their lives.
1t was said yesterday that the Whitney
crowd are suddenly brought TO a square
issue of expansion or no expansion. II the
temperature continues TO rise expansion
may wreck the Metropolitan system. Gro
y %a,e or "a mo er sssTins the them p in the f sesens and
Whitney's help wasting billions of gallons
TO counterfeit the ruinous effect Of expan-
sion, will rise up and walk out of pure
Observation-Disclosures the Whitney cars cam
not go!
The old fellow who managed the hose to
politan system to expand was as humane
as Henry Bergh. and deserves a medal.
Whenever a poor. tired. beiabored; thirsty;
sunstruck horse staggered along he could
not help turning the hose on him. | stood
there for several minutes watching the
grateful beasts. The instant the water
struck them they would stop. regardless OF
the protestations of drivers. and many
could not be persuaded to proceed until
hath a mere how tried 20 guide his tagged
out gelding out OF Broadway into Forty
second street. going west, but the knowing
| brute TOOK the Dit IN his tecl0 ana Ndlktu
up to be watered. After a complete drench-
ing he went willingly about his masters
business.
About 2 o'clock Monday afternoon both
tracks of the Broadway line were blocked
between Rector. street and the Produce Ex-
change. Motormen, half dead with the
heat, dropped into their seats and let
things take care of themselves Passen-
gers got out and walked. Conductors
jerked their bell ropes twice and awaited
Developments. The cause of the abrupt
stoppage Of a great railroad system was a
covered wagon standing with its tore
wheels on one track and it's hind wheels on
the other. The horses had simply pulled
the pole out and walked on TO the Standard
oil building. Now, any three ordinary men
could have taken hold OF the wheels ana
rolled the wagon out OF the way. But as
nobody volunteered to do II. and as no divi-
sion superintendent was on hand 10 order IL
done. traffic was allowed 10 remain ut a
standstill until the driver brought back the
pole. fastened IT in place. hitched up his
team and leisurely drove of.
On an awning over a shop window In
Seventh avenue, near the Navarro apart
ments. facing the afternoon sun, was an
immense thermometer with a glass tube an
inch thick filled lie with what ssc ioo se nke Pln 20
100 degrees Fahrenheit. and at 8 O'Clock the
liquid had expanded to that extent. There
being no safety valve, the proprietor and
several friends some messenger boys in a
hurry. a few newsbcys and one or two
cartmen with nothing better 10 do were
assembled on the curb 10 see the blamed
thing bust" as a young Mercury remarked.
/ had not the courage to finger for results.
but should like much to fnow II II
where the mercurlal Thermometers indi-
Gated more than 100 degrees. Official re-
ports are valueless, They 90 not oesln 10
a "cool" spot where the heat was s4iz de-
srees in deep shade. With a sixteen-inch
fan blowing on the bulb.
The parks are uninviting. The leaves Of
trees and the blades OF grass are dusty aad
hot. Mothers. therefore. take their suffer
- ~LtIl->- ~rs-fo~o-n0r riding Eaokfnk a
|, breath of air. Most OF them appear TO be
fool mothers. judging from the way they
OF ofe eTy.ns babies in sarment appropriate
for February and March, some even IN
fannels. II is distressing. Some charita-
mothers. How the little sufferers yell,
And who wouldn't yell? Pinned up. hip
Rain1ssdd u sno te sto up sew sbod Sp' G insskiy S'0s sId
! hen with a brood Of duckiings has more
common sense.
age three, was much affected by the heat.
little fellow couldn't sleep and cried ell the
5 time; losing weisht daily; etc Where
OF course" I'm a crib in such weather.
) You fool Make a pallet on the floor, close
by the window which admits a breath Of
air: take OF every stitch OF clothing ano
let him wallow around" He thought II
+, plebeian TO sleep on the floor. not knowing
> that II is the coolest part Of The room.
Strange to tell. however. he took the advice
) and the boy cries no more. sleeps wei and
!, eats all ne can get. Think OF poor children
!, with shoes and stockings on In such
/, weather. Murder. Sleeping in cribs, Prisons
they mean. More murder.
/. / saw a girl OF six In the street bare
headed. Her entire costume consisted or q
yellow flannel dress. low neck and short
sleeves: a pair OF black stockings anc
! dainty slippers: She was not pretdly
: dressed, you understand. but she looked as
! cool as a cucumber. and was a picture Of
: summer contentment. Let us be sensible
. before We try 10 be stylish.