The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-28

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in some of the subdivisions unexpected
obstacles and conditions were found.
Has Cost 100 Lives.
The tragedy of the entire work. which
up to date has cost about 12O lives, lies
practically in the division ON Park ave-
nue. in the Thirties and Forties. series
of misfortunes and accidents befell this
section, causing q number of deaths, en-
failing many damage suits and financially
running the subcontractor, who, to crown
the one dark chapter ON the subway
story, finally lost his life in blasting ac-
edent.
The history of the subway is one of
pluck skill and energy. Even with full
realization of what 1t meant when COM
pleted New York has anathematzeu IL
daily for four years when blocked streets,
dirt and all the thousand and one neon
venienees and annoyances incident TO a
work of such magnitude, have been FORCED
upon them, but today wher swiftly NOV
ing express trains glide through the
miles of brilliant, tile-lined tunnel and
the dream of "From the City Hall to
Harlem in fifteen minutes is a reality,
therezremains only the pride in the &C
complishment which was manifested in
the ceremonies of the opening.
Is Thing of Beauty.
The term tunnel with its generally
conveyed meaning of dark underground
passage is lily applied to the subway.
1t is not only a means of transportation
but a thing of beauty. In the whole pro-
iect the esthetic has been kept In mind,
and 1t represents the highest type or
such work. Throughout it is lined with
white glass tiles the iron work Is tasty
and as far as possible has been designed
with an eye to the artistic as well as
strength and durability, while the sta
lions are treated in color schemes with
ceramic thing.
Each station has its own distinctive
color idea, and the decorative scheme is
varied In each. This was done not only
for decorative effect but In order that
the prevailing color may indicate the To-
cality to the underground traveller, whose
usual means of knowing his whereabouts
are not available. The stations are COM
modious and brilliantly lighted, and the
dnishings are all of bronze, brass and
other metal woodwork being eliminated
as far as possible. The system Is cleo
trical, one great power house developing
the required energy. The cars are of the
latest type, being especially designed for
the system, and are either copper or steel
sheathed Every known device ana every
idea suggested by skill ana experiences
have been provided to insure safe trans
portation.
Complete Signal System.
A complete signal system is In opera
tion and for weeks the trains have been
running regularly in order to train the
motormen and guards in their duties and
familiarize them with the road. When
Mr.. Mcdonald secured the contract for
constructing the subway, group of cap
italists organized the New York Rapid
Transit Construction company, with
capital Of 100000. This concern furnished
$4,000 coo of Mr.. McDonalds S5,00O,000 bond
to she city, the other million being placed
in security companies. Two years later
the company formally took over Mr.. Nc
Donald's contracts, and it is under 1t that
the subway will be operated for the fifty
years provided In the agreement