The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-30
WATER.COOLED SUBWAY AIR.
John II. M'DONALDS SUGGESTION
TO DE TRIED.
Scheme Used in the SimplOn Tunnel OF
spraying water VIII Be Tested Here
Rice Pins His Faith on the Fans
New Routes to he Put In Use July rs.


1t Is probable that the method used for
cooling the air Of the Simplon tunnel
through the Alps by water spraying will be
adopted for the subway.
The suggestion was John b. McDonald's.
In letter to the Rapid Transit Commission
he says that the subway could be furnished
with similar cooling process at a compar-
stively small cost. He added that he used
the spray system, In crude way, in the
baltimore tunnel with successful results.
The board asked Chief Engineer Rice to
take up the suggestion, and after the meet
ing Mr. Rice said he would begin expert
ments Immediately. Nozles similar to
those used in the Simplon tunnel will be
placed on the steel supports OF that part
Of the tunnel between Fiftieth and Fifty
ninth streets These nozles are so made that
the water elected will be almost vapor, As
there Is a possibility that this might incon-
yenience the passengers Mr.. Rice will sepa-
.r,te the nozles and the trains with some
>@ort of screen.
Before waiting for the outcome OF these
experiments however. MIR. Rice reported
Yesterday to the board that he had ar
ranged to provide relief at once at the
,e1press stations at Brooklyn Bridge, Four
,eenth street and Forty-second street by
.eouipping these stations with electric fans,
TO be connected with duct manhole, for
The drawing OF tho heated air out OF the
subway. In a report MIR. Rice said:
since the operation OF the road there
has been an almost uniform increase In
temperature, due to the heat generated
ly the motors, as the trains increased IN
number and larger number OF passengers
Tn tbo uyipf time fhia rise
IN temperature ia not so noticeable; and
the problem which now confronts the en-
,cineers is to provide some means by "nlch
this air can bo readily changed at points
where the greatest amount OF trouble Is
Experienced.
This can be done by putting in fans at
certain places along the line OF the work.
and in some cases placing them III tne duCt
manholes which are at frequent intervals
along the line of the road. twill, OF course,
or section of the subway by itself and evolve
method OF proper ventilation. It Is not
so much a question of the kind OF rentila-
ton to be adopted az it is to arrange LOT
the proper location OF the fans. and this
method of treatment to eheet the necessity oes ths
change in the air, will l THINK, prove lte
most economical and feasible.
The running OF trains at more frequent
intervals may he compared to running,
during the busy hours, so many heated
stoves through the SUBWAY, anu u tiie a.,
= Is renewed in the manner suggested rellef
will he afforded
The odor which is 60 apparent along
the line OF the subway, as far as we can
ascertain, is due entirely to the oil used TOT
llbricating the moving parts OF the trains
MIR. Rice said that the fans he proposed
to use in the duct manholes would nave
drawing capacity of 5000 cubic feet OF
air per minute each.
August Belmont, president Of the Inter
borough company, wrote yesterday TO the
commission that the lower Broadway e!-
tension of the subway as far as the Battery
end the Second avenue extension under
the Harlem River would be ready on July
~ He asked for the formal consent OF the
commission to putting these extensions INTO
service.
The contract for the Broadway route
provides that the stations cannot be used
for advertising signs or elot machines.
When the resolution giving similar consent
to the operation of the Second avenue
extension was brought forward Comp.
troller Grout moved that this clause should
he added, providing that no advertisements
he displayed therein unless the plans be
first submitted to and approved by this
board. and providing that there be no mer-
Chandizing other than the sale of news
papers and magazines After some dis
isusson the resolution was passed.
The Board Of Estimate. Mr.. Grout said
yesterday, will 60 ahead with the new subway
routes and a public hearing will be had on
.Inly