The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-13
TROUBLES OF SUBWAY
FLOOD CAUSES MUCH DAMAGE AND
 sCAREs PAssENGERs.
Exciting Experienees Are Enccuntered and Riot ss Narrowly Averted, Police Being Called fn
 to Preserve order.

to EFe4ExW8 OEuers
 New York, June la.--Underground trafac in New York was practically at mile in the center of the main line of the tube which connects downtown New York with Harlem and the Bronx. the tracks are covered for depth of several feet with water, which poured down in a flood when big main broke at Park Avenue yesterday. All night long steam pumps worked to overcome the tide, but even after the main was closed 1t was estimated that many hours would be required to rid the tun- mel of water. The most serious trouble was experienced between Fourteenth Street and Forty-second Street. where the tracks are depressed from i've to six feet. This level was maintained and up to noon had not been cleared sufficiently to permit an observation train to go through.
 It is possible that extensive repairs may have to be made before regular service in that important connecting section may be resumed and the water may have weakened the walls, and caused other damage. Both above and below the seriously affected section shuttle trains were operated today. but they were only scantily patronized The majority of travellers want through connections and with the subway blocked they naturally turned to the elevated and -surface lines. As a result, there were scenes such as have not been witnessed since the strike of sub- way and elevated employees several months ago. Every train on the ele- vated lines carried extra cars and every train was filled to it's capacity. The surface cars, too, were taxed as they have not been in months. The subway officials were unable to say whether through traffic on the underground road would be restored by the time the up- town rush begins this afternoon.
 Train service in the subway was suspended throughout the night as result of the flood from a 4S-inch water main Sunday afternoon. The flow of water continued uninterrupted for four and one-half hours, while subalterns of the city water depart ment wandered about the vicinity of Park Avenue and Forty-first Street turning off one gate after another in futile search for the proper shut of to stop the destructive flood.
 Officials of the subway frantically telephoned in all directions, but failed to find any one in authority with the requisite knowledge of the mains. The damage was finally checked through information furnished by a private citizen employed by contract ing firm.
 It is estimated the loss of the sub way alone will be $100,000. Hundreds of persons were caught in tho block aded trains and almost smothered be- fore they were able to reach fresh air, by wading through eighteen inches of water to the nearest station. Many women had their clothing practically ruined by water which spattered through the open windows.
 There were thousands of persons waiting along the entire line for trains and much time elapsed before news of the blockade reached them.
 Consequently many travellers bound for the Grand Central and other rail- road stations missed their trains out of towns.
 There were scenes of considerable disorder at the Brooklyn Bridge sta- tion. Coming from the beaches and other resorts great crowds poured into the underground stations and for half an hour after the trains stopped they continued to gather. tickets being sold as usual Then the agents began giving out "blockade transfers and guards were stationed at the entrance to warn the would-be passengers But the crowds from Coney Island brushed them aside and continued to enter. After much delay a short train service was established as far north as Four teenth Street. To further complicate tue situation a car jumped the track on the spur from the City Hall to Rector Street and blockaded trafflc on that section. It was then found necessary to close the stations south of the City Hall.
 Persons who were caught on the trains near the flood when the power failed had terrifying experience. All the lights were suddenly extinguished. following series of loud explosions. Men, women. and children who filled the cars were thrown Into a panic of dread as the tunnel suddenly became intensely dark. There was a rush for the doors when water began to spray through the open windows. but the guards held their ground and closed the windows.
 The temperature quickly became stihing. and finally the guards were unceremoniously pushed aside while the passengers present waded the wa ter and made their way to the nearest stations, groping along the walls in order to avoid the third rail current.
 Hundreds were afraid, however, to risk their lives and workmen were soon ce the spot with lanterns. The faint glo wfrom this source heartened the imprisoned and soon long lines of the frightened men, women and ohil- dren were threading their way be- tween the rails until the nearest plat forms were reached.
 A condition that attracted the atten- ton of nearly everyone who was not too scared to observe 1t was the sud- den oppressiveness that i1lled the tun- mel and sti1ed those in the cars With in five minutes after trains stopped moving the temperature appeared to rise many degrees, until the cars were like the hot room in a Turkish bath. Open windows gave little relief, and many persons emerged from the sta tion in limp and exhausted condition.
 In addition to the damaged roadway in the tunnel, burned out motors and | the fusing of hundreds of electrical | added greatly to the loss. | Private property along Park Avenue | also suffered severely.
 While officials of the subway were | execrating the city employees for per- | hitting the flood to go unchecked more | than four hours, thousands of passen- | gers who had purchased tickets all | celved of the blockade were demanding | their money back. They met with re- | fusal and riots were narrowly averted. | Tn due season another order was sent | out permitting agents to give out | transfers good for another ride within | forty eight hours. Each ticket had to | be signed and dated so that the crowds | became very impatient. The police | force was called out at some of the | stations before the disorder could be | quelled.
 ; Under the most favorable conditions | It was admitted by the management |