New-York tribune., 1902-02-09
THE PARK-AVE. COLLISION.

In the State Railroad Commissions report on
the collision at the south end of the Park-ave
tunnel last month one finds evidence of a lively
sense of official responsibility to the travelling
public, an intelligent appreciation of the evils
TO be dealt with and commendable degree of
courage and purpose. The inquiry was con-
Quoted deliberately and thoroughly, and the con-
cluSiOns reached are stated without evasion.
The whole blame is laid upon the company
which controls the tunnel and yard below ii.
incidentally for employing an inexperienced
engineer during rush hours" and for lack of
discipline, but primarily and essentially for in
adequate terminal facilities. the need of which
had long been distinctly recognized by the COM
pany itself. Its dilatOry course is therefore
condemned negligent, derelict and unpro-
gressiVe."
A great variety of relief measures was con-
sdered, but those which are now approved are
in the main the ones whose value the railroad
company had foreseen. A bigger yard near the
station for storage purposes will render need
less the hauling of empty cars up TO Mott
Haven. Will minimize the blocking of tracks,
and will greatly facilitate the entry of inbound
trains. 1t will also lessen the smoke and steam
in the tunnel 40 per cent. The latter source of
danger will be still further reduced by the use
Of electricity for handling the suburban traffic,
and by a more rigid enforcement Of the existing
rule against burning soft coal. The minor re.
forms which are to be instituted, and which
promise to be seTYiceable, are three IA number.
The signal lights in the tunnel are to be raised
to the level of the locomotive cabs the blocks
are to be heightened aud speed Is 20 be limited
TO twenty-four miles an hour Still slower run
ming was at one time contemplated, but the
idea was abandoned when it was discovered
that gnUinppP hos fY,
ting away from his own steam.
Almost as noteworthy as its positive conclu-
sions are the negative opinions expressed by
the commission. 1t pronounces the project of
converting the tunnel into an open cut lin.
practicable and intolerable" from the public
point of view. judgment which, It is 10 be
hoped, the railroad people will now accept as
final On the testimony of the engineers, who
are better qualified than anybody else to speak
on the subject, brilliant illumination of the
tunnel is deemed undesirable Nor il the com
mission satisfied with the behavior Of the
"tripper' system Of setting brakes automatjcal-
ly. Passenger coaches with steel body frames
may come in the future but at present they do
not exist. The advantage Of having car and
station platforms on a level is recognized. but
the difficulties of realizing that idea are too
great except in the new rolling stock and sta
which much encouragement could not be Sc
cured from experts is the ventilation of the
tunnel by suction or forced draught. The ad-
verse decision on this point. while unavoidable
perhaps, is to be regretted not on the score Of
safety, but from considerations Of comfort in
summer. 1t is reasonable TO hope that ulti-
mately solution of this particular problem
will yet be found
Even the improved terminal facilities which
are now recommended will prove insufficient
within few years. and therefore the commits
sion looks little further into the future To
require more than it has done at present might
look like an abuse of power. The Centrars
past sluggishness and the Pennsylvania scheme
for n station on Manhattan Island though
Justify the commission in Offering two sugges-
tons. One is to provide a yard for storage on
Long Island. and the other is TO establish its sub
urban station over near the North River Both
or these steps may become necessary in time
but 1t would be wiser TO adopt the former one
first. The transfer of passengers from an in
coming suburban train to an outgoing express
and vice versa, should be made as easy and in
expensive as possible.