New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-21
THAT REAR END COLLISION.

For tbe distressing accident on the Fifth-ave.
elevated road, in Brooklyn. Thursday evening
the immediate responsibility must rest on the
motorman Of the second train, wherever the
blame may be placed eventually. AS the poor
fellow Is now dead and can say nothing In SELF
vindication the public will try to be lenient In
its judgment. STILL it is hard to understand
why be did not come to q stop sooner. There is
no reason to suspect that he was a victim of
heart disease, for he had been able to get under
way at Thirtieth-st in less than sixty seconds
before the collision occurred. The line at this
place is straight and at the time Of the smash
I'D there was still considerable daylight. The
interior illumination of the train ahead had
been interrupted by the same cause which had
stalled it. but is alleged that the rear car was
provided with red tail lights While there seems
to be a conflict Of testimony that point it is
only fair to assume that the precautiOn men
toned had actually been taken. That alone
should have averted collision. There is less
need for supplementary warning, by man sent
back on the track, on elevated roads than in
ordinary steam railway practice. Larger liberty
Of action is enjoyed by motormen in the for
mer service, and hence larger dlScretlOn
should be exercised by them.
Concerning the origin Of the fire there is also
a little uncertainty, although the probabilities
point to the third rail. Any piece Of metal in
the wreck which touched both the medium that
supplied the current and the track or which the
trains run would develop sparks at the point OF
contact. Hence, the most practical question
that arises out OF Thursdays accident relates
to the possibility of rendering the third rail
safer than it is now. There is no known method
of shutting off the electricity automatically in
such an emergency, and there are objections to
doing so with undue haste. AS for the third
49, pyrfIx- n
monstrated that it will not soon be dispensed
with. Another expedient which suggests itself
is hooding the rail, but it is doubtful whether
such action would avert short circuits when one
car wrecked another If the cover was Of wood,
it would be crushed and disarranged as to
cease to insulate, and If Of metal 1t would not
prevent sparkling. To keep off sleet in winter,
and in the interest Of people who must alight
from stalled trains and walk, shield over the
third rail is desirable not only in Brooklyn, but
also in Manhattan. It is not clear, however,
that it would do any other good.
In the course of time, without doubt, larger
amount Of fireprOof material will enter into the
construction Of rolling stock on electric roads
than was considered requisite when the Brook
lyn lines were equipped. On the other hand, the
financial objection to discarding cars before
they are worn out is too serious to be ignored.
Again, It may be deemed wise eventually to put
a second man into the cab. AS yet however,
the necessity for doing is by no means evil
dent; and, in view of the limited quarters now
afforded by a motormaDs box, perhaps the
scheme is not altogether practicable. In the
mean time, both the public and the railroad
company are to be congratulated upon the COM
paratively limited amount Of harm actually
done on the present occasion. There will be
still further reason for satisfaction IT, as di-
rect or indirect result of their recent scare, the
employees OF the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany are inspired to greater vigilance.