New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-12
BOSTON,S SAFEGUARDS.
Little Probability of a Disaster in the
iSubzcay There.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNx.l

Boston Aug. 11.-There ia little proba bility
ON any such horror happening in the Boston
subway as occurred last night in Paris The
local subway is divided into three sections. One
runs from the Public Garden. on Boylston-st,. 20
Park-st, where there are loop and extern
sion to ScoIlay Square. At Scollay Square there
are two loops. one for incoming cars and one
for outgoing cars. with a separate tunnel for
elevated trains under the same roof. The ter
minal stations are all less than a quarter of
mile apart, and there are several way stations
The elevated trains enter the subway at Pleas
ant-st- through wide opening. after crossing
the New-Haven Railroad tracks over an in
clined curve bridge. The subway is brilliantly
lighted with electric lamps and skylights, and
there is power control station in the Boylston-
St entrance. Collisions between surface cars
and Il" trains are impossible. as the trains are
on separate tracks. and the elevated tracks at
junction points run beneath the surface car
tracks.
Collisions of elevated trains are equally i'm
possible, all trains are controlled by an cleo
trio pneumatic signal device which Gets signals
on the outward track at danger until the train
has passed out Of the danger block into the one
next beyond. These signals are located at regu-
lar intervals or blocks. and no motorman can
fail to see them. If he should by any chance at
tempt TO pass into the danger block, auto
matte device attached to the signal system sets
his air brakes, and the train comes TO a sudden
stop.
Besides the signal system there are both tele-
phone and telegraph systems, connecting with
the train dispatcher's Office and the central
power station. With few exceptions, power can
be cut out of any block the line of either
elevated, subway surface trains from the
central power station. In addition, orders can
be transmitted as to details from the central
power station regarding the shutting off Of
power.
The switches on the elevated line at "Y'
points are set by operators in the block signal
Noe #I,Ns-
cause collisions, is automa tically prevented by
the signals and the automatic air brake setting
device. Running down inclines, the trains coast
with power shut off. The cars are of wood, and
might burn fiercely If they caught fire but pre-
cautions numerous and the distances so
short that this is unlikely to happen. The sub
way tunnels are roomy enough to admit a big
crowd piling off or train and reaching the
stations in safety. Numerous airshafts keep the
air wholesome. Another feature is the inches
between the steel 'rubs' or uprights along the
sides Of the subway. into which an employee or
chance trespasser may step out of danger as a
train passes.
The worst menace TO life in the subway is the
great crush at stations in the busy hours, when
people make rush 10 be the first aboard with
out giving passengers time to alight. Several
persons have been seriously hurt in this way
Traffic is increasing here to such an enormous
extent that only an additional subway. the COM
pletion Of the East Boston tunnel and a COM
pIete Encouragement Of the traffic system will
solve the problem.
Emergency crews are stationed at various
points about the city and suburbs, ready 10 re-
spond to the slightest alarm Of fire or accident
and cut out the power Equipped with wagons
scene of a subway accident soon after It hap
pened.