New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-11
TO TEST SUBWAY AIR.
Darlington Orders ChandIer-Latter
and Bryan, Disagree OUer Job.

Because OF the widespread statements that
the air in the subway was impure and a men
ace to health. Health Commissioner Darlington
yesterday authorized Professor Charles F.
Chandler. of Columbia, consulting sanitary Of
icer Of the Health Board. to make tests of the
air conditions and report to him. Professor
Chandler has already made some tests. Z. P.
Bryan. vice-president of the marlborough COM
pany. said that last Friday he engaged Pro-
lessor Chandler for the company to make tests
of the air Professor Chandler said last night
that he had declined the request of the Inter
borough that he act for them, as he wished to
make Independent tests.
There have been many complaints that the air
in the subway is vitiated that it is deficient in
oxygen and that the ventilation is insufficient
Different experts have given expression to
diametrically opposite views. Complaints
reached the Health Department. DIR. Darling
ton and his advisory board made experiments
when the subway first opened and found
that in the bore of the tunnel the air was good.
but that at the stations it impure. because
vitiated air swept out of the tunnel collected at
the stations. The conditions did not warrant
action by the Health Department then, Dr. OAR
lington thought, because the tunnel was new
and the operating company should be allowed
to make what changes it found necessary
So many physicians declared that the air was
a menace to health however, that DR.. Darling
ton decided to have the conditions there passed
on officially, and authorized Professor Chandler
to make the tests. Professor Chandler said
that what tests he had already made showed
him the air was good, he expected they would
why shouldn't the air be good?" he asked.
The tunnel is of brick and concrete with LAYERS
of felt paper. Nothing impure can get into the
tunnel except the people themselves, and they
not crowded as they are in streetcar
They have plenty of air space. The air in the
tunnel is kept in constant circulation by the
passage of the trains, and at most Of the sta
lions there are four large pasSageWays TO the
fresh outer air: in all stations two. The tunnel
is large and airy; the ventilation, so far as I
can see, good. 1 shall make other tests of
course, because 1 don't want my report to de-
pend on chance tests The report will he ready
probably. in a week"
Mr. Bryan, of the subway company before he
had heard of DR.. Darlington's action said that
he had hired Professor Chandler last Friday to
investigate air conditions. Professor Chandler
had made preliminary trip through the sub
way with Mr. Hedley, he said. and would make
others.
We are treating this question of bad air as
a serious affair, said Mr. Bryan. IF there is
a defect in the subway its ventilation we
want to remedy II. We believed that there was
sufficient outlet to the outer air through the
station entrances and exits which are not closed
as are the kiosks in the Paris subway. for in
stance, by doors We will remedy any defect
that is shown to us, however.
Mr.. Parsons thought the complaints of had
air foolish. The best answer to that charge he
said. was furnished by the analyses made nv
Professor Alfred Spice. of Cooper Union He
found that the air was little worse than or
binary outdoor air. Yesterday, however Pro-
lessor Spice said that the longer the subway
was used the worse the air would grow becon-
ing staler and more damp from the exhaIations
of the passengers. The remedy. he said was
10 put in exhaust pipes between stations which
and draw in fresh air through the subway en-
frances.