New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-08-21
NAY CLOSE UP TUNNEL.
HEALTH COMMISSIONER
THREA TENS CENTRAL.
ND COSBY FINDS ALLEGED UNSANI.
TARY CONDITIONS, AND DECLARES
THEY MUST BE REMEDIED
FORTHWITH.

- rop, r Cosby. Commissioner Of Health
80 cent a report OF an inspection of the New
vo-l, Central Railroad tunnel between Fifty
.,vtb and Ninety-sixth sts. TO William H. New
roen president of the road, calling attention TO
.,e tunnels alleged unsanitary condition. and
rggesting that it be reconstructed according TO
modern ideas If measures not taken TO
rsrnedy the existing evils. DR.. Cosby threatens
"a close up the tunnel and suspend traffic.
The tunnel was inspected by Frederick
enrenrer. sanitary inspector. He says there are
ef+v men employed in various capacities IN the
trnnel. and that there are no toilet accommoda-
,ions for them; that the space occupied by the
rsn Is poorly ventilated and lighted, and fire.
ouentlv filed with gas and hot air from passing
,ooo,ootives that there is an accumulation OF
s,oqnant water on the floor OF the tunnel. and at
Seventy fourth-st. the tracks and roadbeds are
,sd across large public sewer. six feet in diam
ster which drains large area Of the city, and
that the top Of this sewer was cut away in laying
the tracks, and is loosely covered with planking,
allowing a free escape Of sewer gas In conclu-
son the report says
In my judgment If no coal consuming loco
natives were used additional light and ventila-
tion for the dark portions OF the tunnel would
still be necessary. Providing toilet facilities in
the tunnel ventilating signal stations. repairing
Of sewers and drainage defects are matters
which can be readily remedied."
Dr. Cosby said last evening:
Ihad nv attention called some weeks ago to the
condition Of the tunnel and have made thorough
examination of II from Fifty-sixth-st. to Ninety
snTenser TO make thorough Inspection and re-
port 10 II IS my own anair, ana take me
Tsp9nsiOb ns Sss bo9rd g. found other Conditions than
smoke nusances. II is not my intent or dispo-
sition TO interfere with traffic in any way but 70
look into the sanitary conditions existing. told
the president Of the New-York Central road VIII
public The counsel for the road called upon me.
port Of Inspector Sprenger DR.. Roberts made a re-
port 70 me. ,..--.-,.. -. ..,-
mel Much Of the tunnel is taken up py ~ deVlseo
construction. planned many years ago. We 40 not
is simply 10 advise them as to what is necessary
be done and of the conditions as they exist to-day
other motive power. but they ought TO set time
limit in which make the alterations. OF course,
traffic of the road but the people are entitled TO
consideration from this corporation ,.,,,u, ,ha
alteration. That is something i have no 1urisdlc-
tion over, and have given the matter no thoueht
The average layman can have no idea of the con-
dition Of affairs in The tunnel until he goes down
anS sees IL.
This is not an order Of the Board of Health, but
personal solution OF my own. l do not know
If il was necessary We could stop the running Of
the road by determining. if st was absolutely neces
don't want 10 convey the idea that We have any
such idea. We nave no disposition 10 dllllvH hue
railroad people. The main thing IS ventllatloils
the kind Of oxygen that is fl for human beings 10
breathe. II is up TO them 10 remedy the trouble
have done my part.
The construction Of the tunnel IS absolutely bad.
The modern OF steel and steel glrders is such
that the whole thing could be reconstructed with
the proper ventilation. II the recommendations
made in my report were carried out don't care
whether they arrange with the people along the
line 10 take the top of, but that would remedy the
difficulty At this ! realize that the cit-
gems and property owners would enter an earnest
protest Il would improve il greatly 10 take out
all the work and the stone and brick par
titions, which large and clumsy and occupy
considerable air space, and substitute steel girders
and steel columns.
II after the New-York Central authorities have
had reasonable time. and II they refuse remedy
these nusances and Indifferent 10 them. and IL
the same conditions exist now reported, and
II they refuse TO put in toilets and 10 remove the
walls. recommended. I would vote suspend
traffic that road through the tunnel This
statement is made with the proviso that they
peremptory decline 10 remedy the nuisances which
exist to-day. Our object is only abate the
nuisances. sent copy Of the report Of Inspector
sprenger 10 the president Of the NeW-York Cen
tTal to-day, with the Endorsements and recommen-
dations. ] simply wanted the railroad officials TO
know in advance what / going TO do.
know that this condition exists ! know that
these nuisances are detrimental TO health and
should be abated.
If voted 10 suspend traffic on the road think
my colleagues would concur. We have always
acted harmoniousIy