New-York tribune., 1903-04-19
TO FENTTLATE SUBWAY.
System of Poacer Fans Likely To Be
Used-Opinions of Erperts.

system of power fans. or something equiva-
lent TO fans, viii be used to ventilate the sub
way artificial ventilation is found to be
necessary. Experts on bacteriology fear a vita
ton Of the air in the subway with consequent
dangers Of contagion and tuberculosis infection.
Chief Engineer William Barclay Parsons. how
ever says it will not be necessary specially 10
venuiate the tunnel. because the stations will
he near 10 the surface Of the street and fresh
air VIII circulate in them.
The proper ventilation OF the tunnel is not a
formidable problem, for the reason that the
stations are close to the surface of the ground,
said Mr. Parsons yesterday. In this respect
our system viii differ materially from the Lon
don system, where frequently the tubes are far
underground. and where naturally the air be-
comes contamina ted
At the Office of the Interborough Rapid Tran
sit Company. in the Park Row Building. yester-
day it was learned that the company has asked
for estimates from various concerns for electric
fans with which to ventilate the tunnel.
Dr. Stearns, one of Street Cleaning Commits
sioner Woodbury's sanitary experts, said yes
terday:
Tt seems to that the subway people viii
have 10 partition the subway in order to insure
proper ventilation train running in one direc-
ton viii push the air along with it. but if, in
an open tunnel with four tracks. another train
comes along in opposite direction this air
viii simply be caught and whirled about in
stead Of being elected at the stations This will
be particularly true where the tracks are deep
under ground. DR.. Louis G. Parkes of London,
who is regarded in England sanitary ex-
pert shows that the amount of carbonic acid
gas is increased in the atmosphere Of railway
tubes. and that the sanitation in the London
underground road is very bad. especially at the
times when the traffic is greatest. A test OF
the air in the carria ges has been found to con
tain much as fifteen TO twenty-five parts OF
carbonic acid per 10000 cubic feet, or four or
five times as much in the atmosphere. The
air. Dr. PaTkes says. Is SO confined that II can
not purify itself Of carboniC acid gas. and il
material, all tending to increase the dangers
| of tuberculosis and COntagiOn- The overcroWd d.
ing of the cars night and morning greatly ag-
gravaJes the normal conditions Now, th5
people of this city travel morning and after
| noon in droves A large percentage Of mer
night and morning will live in an artif1cia
atmosphere almost from one years end to an
other. For this reason II becomes q matter oi
| the highest Importance that the ventilation %
made as perfect possible
Dr Hermann NJ BiSgs baCterologist Of the
proper ventilation in the tunnel are matters o
! prime Importance. Bad ventilation in the tun
/ mel doubtless would increase the dangers o
/ infection and Contag gion. said Dr. Blggs. Any
/ thing unhygieniC tends to increase the dange
/ Of tuberculosis infection Not until the tunne
/ is in operation and all the plans Of the sub
! way people are developed will il be possible Il
say whether the Board of Health viii have
anything TO say about the ventilation Of th'
! tunnel"