New-York tribune., 1905-06-12

pressure of steam and got all the big pumps to
work.
DELUGE THROUGH SUBWAY ROOF.
Down through the slots of the electric road
and down through paths made by itself, through
what was believed to be the waterproof roof OF
the big subway, the water first trickled and then
rushed in a deluge The motormen in the pass
ing trains first noticed that their trains got over
the slippery tracks with difficulty, but
they had no time to investigate. They were
glad to get away from the place, and probably
did not know the danger. The wheels of the big
six and seven trains churned the waters into
a foam but there appeared to be no real danger
NO CHART OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.
While the cataract flowed the telephones con-
tinued to buzz Workmen came from the Water
Department and groped in vain for the source
of trouble. Then came assistant forernen and
then foremen, and then assistant superintend
ents Apparently there head to the
work OF relief The department men admitted
that they had no chart of the water supply sys-
tenn and that they did not know what was the
matter
Men sent in every direction to turn off
every valve and water gate they could find
They ran south and they ran north with one
idea They were to find water gates and turn
the supply off. Perhaps they would get the
right gate. For hours the water flowed and the
danger to the subway ever growing.
Finally the rising water in the subway made
connection between the third rail and the other
rails and made a short circuit of the electric
current Intermttently the motive force was
paralyzed, endangering the lives of those who
We're in the cars.
PASSENGERS THROUGH PYRoTECHNICs.
About two hours after the break north
bound train in the subway stopped at 32d-st
the power seeming to give out suddenly. Then
it went only TO stop again The air was
pungent with the smoke of burning nsulations
Bright flames from wheels and rails were con-
tinuous. The passengers in fear shut the car
windows tight and then. half sufocated, waited
for relief The train finally got to within a
block of 42d-st. and stopped for good. The pas
sengers got out of the train, first with fear, and
waded and stopped with damaged clothing and
footgear TO the station. amid display of cleo
trical fireworks. They carefully avoided the
third rail and nobody injured.
MR. HEDLEY TRIES TO GET MAYOR
General Manager Hedley of the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company arrived at the Grand
Central Station about O'Clock and began TO
use the telephone in effort to find somebody
connected with the Water Department who
could shut off the food. Not being able to get
into communication with Commissioner Oakley
who was said to be out of town. he tried to get
into communica ton with Mayor Mcclellan but
failed
Meanwhile the situation in the subway south
of 42d-st was becoming worse. The water rose
TO the third rail- causing short circuits Insu-
lating Joints on the third rails began TO burn
out. making display of fireworks which was
alarming TO look at Ten minutes before 6
o'clock Mr. Hedley gave the order by telephone
to the power house to shut off the current en-
tirely from the section between 14th-st. and
72d-st. The order stopped the fireworks and
left that part of the subway in darkness. 1t
also brought to a standstin three trains in the
section
One of the trains was stalled 39th-st.. and
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