The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-01
SUBWAY SUFFERERS REVOLT.
WOMEN FAINT ON TRAINS TIED
az BI FIRE ON 4 CAR.

There were exciting scenes in the subway
last evening AZ the result Of a fire on a south
bound express train at the Fourteenth street
station. Traffic was completely tied mp for
thirty-fve minutes and conditions became
80 intolerable on many Of tho rains that
passengers threatened to attack the con-
ductor~ and wreck the cars il they were not
allowed to disembark and make their way
along the tracks to the stations.
Some Of the conductors refused to open
doors or move the trains 80 that the pas
spngers could get OF and it was only after
women had tainted that they gave in and
the trains groped slowly through the smoke
that filed the tube to the stations. Many
trains were stalled until trafic was re-
slmed and hundreds of passengers had
to swelter in the cars.
The Are was caused at the Fourteenth
street station by a short circuit in the motor
box Of the sixth car Of the train. IL was
just about 5 o'clock when there was a sharp
report, followed by a sheet Of blue flame,
which shot from underneath the car and
enveloped the rear platform. The motor
man heard the report and brought the
train to a standstill before the first car had
passed the platform
The blue fame, which lighted up the
subway, scared the passengers; women
screamed And tainted, while men made a
beeline for the doors and fought their way
out 70 the platform. The guards and
station men had to loo after the women
and get them out Of the burning car.
Those who had tainted and the hysterical
ones had to he carried out bodily.
The current in Inc third rail was quickly
turned on and the train crew fought the
fire with sand. The flames ate up through
the floor Of the rear platform; it seemed
that there was danger Of their spreading
10 the interior Of the car, but no alarm was
sent in. II was about twenty minutes
before the blaze was under control.
The train vas then started downtown.
Before it reached the Brooklyn Bridge
il got afre twice. at the Aston place and the
Spring street station. No passengers
we're aboard it then, but a number of people
who were waiting for trains fed to the
street.
Sitting smoke filled the subway from
shout T~wenty-third street to the Brooklyn
DTlukc cthIlpti, dHh dlAlS pA vi u dlhHt up
town and downtown, was tied up for more
than thirty-hve minutes. Trains were
stalled all along the line and thousands Of
people sweltsred and fumed and choked in
the cars. The women became nervous and
wanted to know what was the trouble; the
conductors and guards couldn't tell them,
because they didn't know themselves.
Then the men demanded that they be allowed
&C leave the trains and walk to the nearest
station. The trainmen wouldn't let them
and there were heated arguments all along
the line.
On one train, stalled between Times
Square and the Grand Central Stations, the
passengers got restless after about fifteen
minutes and surged forward to the first car.
About fifty feet ahead they saw a train at
the Grand Central that had been deserted
by its passengers.
Run the train up 10 the one at the station
. we can get out OF this hotbox," a pas
senger said TO the conductor.
Can't dc It," the conductor replied:
you'll a to stay here until that train
moves"
II 40 happened that there we're about
fifty husky mechanics aboard the stalled
train, most Of whom had their tools with
them. A dozen OF them who were together
held a conference and a committee was
appointed 10 wait upon the conductor.
we want all these side doors opened"
raid the COMMITTEES; we can't stay here all
night and swelter. The ladies' aboard this
train will be about fainting II we don't get
more air."
Against the rules for me 10 open the
doors the conductor retorted; Il would IL
/ could, but I can't"
Several men took a hand in the affair at
this point and consulted with the mechan-
ics. In a minute carpenters. ~bricklayers,
mssons and iron workers were opening their
kit bags and asserting their tools.
What are you going TO do?' asked the
conductor.
Burst open the DOORS came the reply.
and We can do a damned good job OF il,
too
The conductor saw that trouble was
brewing. He appealed to the we'll dressed
men and asked them to stop the big fellows
clad in jumpers and ~overalls from ripping
the doors open.
We'll, open the doors and give Us more
air" he was told. We don't care for our
selves 80 much, but this is too sitting for
the women"
By this time a trio Of stonecutters armed
with heavy mallets made for the platform
and were just about to start in on the doors
when the conductor changed his mind and
decided that IL would he good policy to do
a. he was told. He then had the guards
open all the doors on the train.
There wasn't much relief, however, and
within fifteen minutes there was another
consultation and a committee consisting
Of several Of the mechanics. a professional
looking man with a Vandyke beard, a
sallow faced youth wearing glasses and a
sporty looking individual was appointed.
They had several minutes talk and then all
hands approached the conductor.
h was the ultimatum: we want YOU
10 run this train up TO the one standing
at the station, so We can get OF. II you
don't these gentlemen indicating the
mechanics with their heavy sledges and
malletsl will just rip this car apart. Do
you see1'
The conductor did zee. He rang the hell
and had the motorman proceed very slowly
until the train reached the last car OF the
one ahead. Then the passengers trooped
through the cars and made for the street