New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-12
SAFETY IN SUBWAYS.
Hop Disasters from Fire Can Be
Prevented.

The only serious fire on an electric road In a.
tunnel previously recorded is that which oc-
CURED at Liverpool, on December %. 1901
Most Of the line was on an elevated structure
but portion Of it was obliged to be under
ground. It was there that the accident hap
pened. In that instance the motorInan discov-
cred his own car in flames. He stopped the
train which was composed of three cars, and
the panic-stricken passengers alighted. Two
of them lost their lives did also four Of the
railroad conlpany's employees. At the time the
train was $50 feet from a station, but the
patrons and employees Of the road did not fully
realize the fact. Besides. the smoke quickly
filed the tunnel ana made escape difficult
Subsequent inquiry revealed the fact that the
motor under the that first took fire was old
and primitive. and had been repeatedly repaired
1t was mounted with no metallic shield between
1T and the floor OF the car The motorman had
noticed, before the car took fire, that when he
turned on the current great fash of light APP
peared. Stupidity disregarding this warming he
applied the current again, and in a few minutes
the car was in flames. The third rail system is
in use in Liverpool
Modern car motors are usually inclosed IN
metal cases. Anything but an ironclad motor
to-day would be behind the times. However
one effect Of the Liverpool fire was to move the
managers of the tunnel road under the MersAv
to Birkenhead to adopt an additional precau-
ton. That line was formerly operated by steam
but its conversion into an electric road had all
ready been begun. Here sheathing of ashes
tos slate" applied the car floor over the
motor. and the motorman's compartment vas
lined with asbestos.
A more radical innovation was promised by
Charles T. Yerkes. of Chicago. who had then
recently obtained control of the old underground
steam lines in London and was arranging to
operate them by electricity. These roads, known
individually as the Metropolitan and Metropoli-
tan District, and together constituting the
Circle. are nearly ready for the new motive
power. but of late little has been heard about
the means to be employed. Mr.. Yerkes said
that he meant 10 make his cars absolutely
f1reproof."
simultaneously with this expression or prior
thereto. George Westinghouse uttered the opin-
ion that new style of construction was neces-
sary, in order to prevent CONGREGATIONS from
electricity in subways, although he extended his
comment to surface roads also. All that he
did, however. was to emphasize the danger He
made no specific suggestion as to the remedy to
apply. He did not indicate whether he thought
ireproof wood adequate or that metal was
essential.
AT about the same time 1.-THE Railroad
Gazette" of this city. said editorially:
1t is likely that the wreck would have been
burned at once by short circuit of the electric
current. The fact has been overlooked during
the excitement following this accident that an
electric train was burned on December % last
killing seven people. 1t has also been forgotten
that electric cars have been repeatedly burned
70 the trucks within the last two or three years
We shall not particularize now because we do
not wish TO be unnecessarily disagreeabIe
From all this II does not follow that II is de-
sirable that people should cease TO use electric
ity for traction on the contrary, there is not
the slightest probability that thereewill be any
interruption OF the extension OF this use OF cleo
tricity. But what we want particularly 10 make
folks think about now is the Importance of TAX