New-York tribune., 1902-01-30

from Fourteenth-st. TO Thirty-third-st. will show
that the streets occupied. first, by the surface
railways, with their yokes and electric connections,
extending from three and onehalf feet to six feet
below the street surface: second. by water and gas
mains from three to fortyeight inches in diameter.
oy electric conduits steam heating and every other
Character Of pipe which Is known. covering almost
the entire street surface horizontally and ateraly
Tor depth of from three feet to six feet To con-
struct the subway along this pre-occUpied street
mas required the utmost and ordinary Skill
II large quantities Of explosives have been pos
sioe, enabling the contractor by their use TO ad-
vance his work, the storage OF larger quantities
OF explosives might have been desirable. but with
the delicate organizations to be dealt with nothing
but very light charges of explosives were practi-
cable. and the fact that the line has been prac-
tically free from accident and the street traffic
uninterrupted to minimum degree attests the
great care with which the work has been
Quoted Is 1t reasonable to suppose that If a con-
tractor could not large quantities OF explosives
he would voluntarily and without possible benefit
store large quantities his work. endangertng life
and property and in violation Of the specific agree
ment set forth in his contract?
From Thirty-th Forty -hrst-st-,
part of which line the deplorable accident occurred
the rapid transit subway is being constructed IN
tunnel. on both sides of the Park-ave. tunnel The
s of the arch ao OF this e Is at 9ep&P &
work is being driven from two headings, located
practically eight points at which explosives are
used An examination of the work Will snow thdt
IL has been done with precision as TO theoretical
lines within which the sub-contractOr Is rigidIy
held, but rarely seen, and which could only have
been accomplished by the use of small charges OF
explosives applied in the most sktlful manner II
Shaler had been able to advance his work by the
use OF large charges of explosives there might
have been some reason for the storage on his work
of large supply of explosives. The facts are that
he obliged and has used light charges, and his
supply has corresponded to his daily wants The
exact quantity of explosives at Forty-hrst-st- al
the time of the accident oe ascertained within
a very close margin, and viii show that the laws
governing this have not been violated.
That accidents will occur sometimes, even though
every precaUtOn which human skill and prudence
can devise is rigidly observed we are Obliged 70
admit, and however much they are 10 be deploreo
IL is but right that like Mcdonald and Shaler
should have a fair hearing before the tribunal OF
public opinion. and If found blameless, as IN this
they will be. they should be acquitted without
prejudice.
We might go on and show that from Park-ave
and Forty-second-st- to Fort George and The
Bronx the same care has been observed in con-
structing the rapid transit railroad as has been
shown south of Forty -second-st.-that the rock
appears and disappears along the route rendering
explosives necessary and unnecessary as the local
conditions change-but this is unnecessary; the re-
suits speak for themselves. II may be fairly as
sumed that intelligent men will not violate law
and take risks which bring 70 them no pront ana
which may result in fearful disaster and ruin Let
wait. then. until this accident has been prooeo'