New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-28
DEATH ON TIE ELEVATED.

Thousands OF people asked themselves yes
terday, after learning about the horrible acct
dent on the Sixth-ave elevated road the even
ing before Who was to blame for what hap
pened? The question is easily answered. II
the GATE which Mrs Codrngton tried to enter
was closed before the train started. she should
have abandoned her efforts to embark. She
ought not to have expected any departure from
the wise and fully established rule against re-
opening a gate under such circumstances.
violent encounter with the Axed railing at the
end Of the station was sure to result II she
did not promptly step OFF the car platform; ana
she ought to have known it. On the othe1
hand If the gate was not fully closed, Mrs
CodrinGton not only was warranted IN con-
tinuing her endeavor TO push her way into the
crowd on the car, but also in expecting that
the train would remain stationary while she
did so. There are conflicting statements re-
garding the point at Issue. An official of the
company who did not witness the transaction
declares that the gate was shut. The guard
on duty admits ringing the bell while It was
OPEN and says that il stayed open until the
next station was reached. As between the
two the public will accept the latter version OF
the case. The self-accused employe will be
deemed responsible for the consequences OF
his act. lie knew the requirements OF the
company. He did not know that everything
was safe at his post OF observation.
No one who is at all familiar with the traffic
on the elevated roads in Manhattan during
rush hours will be surprised at this occurrence.
The only wonder is that 1t is not much more
common. From about to o'clock most OF
the trains fill so completely at the downtown
stations that it is almost impossible to find
even standing room at points above Chambers
tIo do To-
Side. Nothing can be gained by waiting for
the next train, and exposure 10 inclcment
weather may produce sickness as well as dis
comfort If one spends more than two minutes
at the station There Is every incentive. then.
to make the most OF the first chance. The
struggle which results is undignihed. not to
say indecent but IL is apparently unavoidable.
How the trainmen control their tempers In
such trying situations is marvellous They nre
compelled TO submit TO grumbles and even
abuse from the passengers to look out for the
safety OF the latter, and TO avoid unnecessary
delays. All the same, there is one supreme law
which they bound 70 observe: They must
not signal to go ahead so long as their gates
are not closed. To do so is to risk human
life
The real secret Of Tuesday evenings acct
dent, Of course, is that the facilities offered by
AAS -hAuAAildAAdh tltFdltu TOduS are INADEQUATE.
Lengthening the trains and platforms has done
a little good, but the normal growth OF business
has been sufficient 10 make the situation as
perlous to-day as It has been ut anv time in
the last five years. Hoping that the opening Of
the subway would have given relief long ere this.
the Interborough company has doubtless deemed
1t unnecessary to make further changes obovo
ground. The day when underground trains will
Oe2ln running. however, continues TO recede
into the future like the foot Of rainbo,,
Hence one cannot but ask II Il is not feasible
TO make temporary provision for greater safety
during the next few months. Were n seventh
car TO be added TO all trains during the hours
or heaviest traffic, something might no oc-
complished in this direction There wouId
PROBABLY be no question about rolling stool
because the marlborough company already has
lot OF Its subway cars on hand. The cbior
embarrassment would grow out of the nos
siDie inconvenience In alghtIng TO such ms
sengers as were obliged to walk tbrouob on
extra car Were the trains stopped so that ~
would always be the occupants OF the forernoet
car who took additional steps. there roigb+ no
no appreciate delay. weeks trial % .bo
system would soon show whether il were ui.o
or not Again. by starting q number NJ +ro,,,-
from Eighth-st. Fourteenth-st un+o,-.' -
irons would unquestionably be accommodo+o1
better than now. 1t is by no means certoir 60
the public is as well served today "a e. 80
to be. - ousnt