New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-19
DIR. CHANDELIERS INVESTIGATION.
Outlines His Work with Reference to the
Condition of the Air in the Subway.

Professor Charles F. Chandler of Columbia Uni
versity, referring TO his report on the condition of
the air in the subway. which published exclu-
sivey in yesterdays Tribune. outlined last night
the steps which lea up his investigation
Professor Chandler said
From a knowledge of sanitary matters gained
and chemist TO the Health Board and d knowledge
OF chemistry and bacteriology. l knew That there
We're no conditions prevalent in the subway winch
could materially change the condition OF the at
not be bad idea to make some analyses so that
might controvert certain newspaper statements not
6eIiyveG y by aI p15S' opinion '0' 0'
Just about this time officials of the subway COM
niuncated with me and asked me II ! would make
an investigation for them of the atmosphere Of The
myself in the matter, that I VAS making arrange
Lnents TO make analyses and | would accept their
representing them had talked with Health Depart
yet started an investigation, but intended to start
Then I went see Commissioner Darlington
He expressed great pleasure in the interest l was
ahILg Ia me SoDJeGt' ana thought n view or my
Department, that We might work together, and it
was agreed between US that l might report 10 him
After nv faIk with Dr. DartGp IL III oc cv a.
me that under these circumstances l could
have any business relations with the subway
company, and informed them that 1 could not act
IN any manner in their interest nor receive any
compensation for work performed in the subway
9lrectiy or indirectly much preferred to be in
dependent in the matter, and make the investi-
ceeded to make the investigation, and l placed my
PRELIMINARY report In the hands Of Commissioner
fun responsibility for the facts and opinions
tanned therein
Later on the day that Commissioner Darlington
received my report l telephoned him and asked
copy of my report 10 the officials of the subway
He said there was not. then asked him if he
intended giving the report to the press. He said
he did not intend giving it to the neWspa pers as a
whole but thought he would make public some
parts of 1 told him that this would not be
entitled to all the information it could
Then Commissioner Darlington said he would
cheerfully follow my wishes in the matter
So far as the question of bacteria is concerned
my report covered it fully and see no reason
retreat from the conclusions TO be found therein.
There three general propositions to be con-
Sidered where bacteria concerned. First no
dust get into the subway eXCe3jt street dust
the same dust breathe into lungs as we
walk the streets, the dust that enters our
boxes that lead to our furnaces second this dust
consists Of ashes fine sand animal and vegetable
matter and the germs or spores of bacteria Spores
bear the relation to mcrO-Organsms that
animal They are the germs of life; third for the
development Of germs or spores and the multiplied
ton of heterogeneous water and food re-
quired. There is great deal water and a
great deal more food in the streets than there is
in the subway, consequently less danger the
subway than there is In the streets.
Professor Chandler said last night that he is now
determining the carbonio acid gas in the atmos
ph@re in the subway and determining the velocity
and volume of fresh air which Is constantly enter
communicate with the outer atmosphere.
Commissioner Darlington said yesterday that his
department assumed no responsibility for Pro-
fessor Chambers conclusions.