New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-12
SUBWAY OUTRAGES.
40 the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor or The Tribune.
Sir; The editorial in your paper Of November II
the Subway Outrages'' requires some notice
my hands
1t is only fair 20 say that the fire in the Times
Building has not to this time been explained, and
that at the time it occurred Degnon- Mclean had
force Of any kind working at that point, and
are therefore in TO way responsible for the fire.
The Scilian Asphalt Paving Company. contractors
for waterproofng were working IN the subway op-
posite the Times Building at the time the FIRE
occurred. They claim that they were not the cause
OF responsible for the fire. and the Investigations
which have had made confirm their testimony.
The several reports which have received from
the various sub-contractors engineers and inspec-
signs of FIRE on the subway side, and these reports
further corroborated by photographs.
The article quoted IN your paper intimates that
there was tar paper the subway side OF the par
tition referred to. There was no tar paper the
tunnel side on the contrary. the tar paper was
placed the inside Of the partition at the request
Of the owners OF the building.
Thorough investigation further discloses the fact
that the boards the inside wall charrea half
way through. while on the subway side they are
not charred at all. A careful inspection of the
banjo lamps in the tunnel side at this
point fails to show any defect leak. These
lamps have been marked for identification
All these facts are proved by the investigation
which has been made. and have doubt that
the official investigation Will bear out the truth of
these statements
With reference TO the charge of neglect on the
part OF the contractors to prosecute their work
with proper regard for the public convenience
along Park Row and City Hall Park. ! Will state
that the excavation this part OF the work was
begun in July. 1901. The difficulty encountered by
reason Of the occupation OF the streets by six
tracks Of surface railway with yokes. ducts and
subways extending from three to nine feet be-
low the street. with water and gas mains, pneu-
matte tubes. electric telephone ducts and man
holes. elevated columns for support of the Brook
!yn Bridge approach the vaults Of the Postofice
and other abutting properties-which in the case
Of the Times Building required the most careful
study and which after the fullest discussion with
the architects of the building involved extraordi-
and are u bsS pans; WhGa were accepted
building-has rendered the progress OF the work
On October 10 Judge Leventritt Of the Supreme
court; ordered the removal of the Han Of Records
superintendent Of Buildings as unsafe. Although
no provision has been made for the removal of
the building place provided for the accom-
ties and the Rapid Transit Commission take the
steps 10 give US this right Of way we cannot go
Until the authority to remove these buildings
be compiefed the Character of The stFucre ee
pending upon what 1t was called upon to support.
the plans for the steel work are furnished US be-
fore the deliveries OF the steel can be made. The
contractors made their excavations anticipating
the right to construct would be promptly fur
would be made in due course of their work. They
did not and could not receive It for the reason
given. This work cannot be completed and the
street surfaces restored in disjointed sections and
as in this case which connects at one end Of the
main line, where one OF the distractions has
barred way and passes under the main line
at the other end forty feet under the surface
Hence many Instructions 70 the public convenience
have remained a much longer time than was rea-
sonably expected. but which were beyond the
tractors power to control.
The NeW-York public and The New-York Tribune
have been most patient. fair and generous their
treatment OF those engaged in constructing this
great enterprise. They will not, ] sure. with
hold their fair treatment in this case.
JOHN 3. MDONALD.
New-York, Nov. II, 1902.