New-York tribune., 1907-12-22
CALL CARS DEPLORABLE
PECEITERS ADMIT FACTS.
RcpIg to p. S. Engineers 1rrnign.
ment of Surface Equipment.

raut of cars iR use by the surface system in
This city were brought out yesterday when the
REPORT of 4. ". McLimont. electrical engineer
fer the Public Service Commission his re-
cant examination Of the rolling stock was made
uublic This report constituted the sole argu-
1,,ent of the commission for its order made ten
iavs ago that every surface car must be put
into good repair The receivers for the railway
company did not attempt to controvert the re-
nort at the hearing yesterday. They sent
letter 10 the commission admitting that the
condition of the rolling stock was "deplorabIe"
Conditions indicating absolute danger as well
as multitudinous discomforts for the passengers
were shown in Mr.. McLimont's report. Scarcely
one car without several defects noted. For
all this he held the high officials responsible
The only part of the entire system which ne
found all worthy of commendation was the
power houses. These and the sub-stations he
found usually in good repair, with up-to-date
equipment in the hands OF competent men.
In the barns, though. he said, conditions
were far different There things run. he
declared in slipshod fashion, repairs were made
only TO be repeated the next day. while the
ploves were found 10 work under the most dis
couraging and frequently unsantary conditions.
Mr. MCLimont and his assistant engineers
examined 1,6o0 out of total of 800 cars in
use on the surface system. A summary shows
4o1 With fat wheels, $50 with rattIing wheels.
lae6 with gear noises. "a with brass noises, 1872
with broken glass, 249 without headlights, and
los cars classed as filthy.
DETAILS OF REPORT
The hearing on the commissions order was
before Commissioner McCarron. Mr.. McLimont
vas the only witness. He said he had inspected
two main power houses, eight sub-stations and
fourteen car barns. In the report he said, in
part.
material and apparatus have been proper and the
best available. and that good results have been
obtained both from the material purchased and
the manner Of installation.
The responsibility for the present objection
able operating conditions. also Cor the present
deteriorated state Of the installation, must be
traced 10 the higher responsible heads rather
than TO incapable operating employees.
] find that in almost every case the chief OF
stations. carhouses and shops intrusted with
the maintenance of the equipment are men
who have been well tried in the service, and in
where and If the proper results from them are
not forthcoming it is necessary 20 look TO those
higher officials responsible for the inefficient
policy and lack Of proper method that seems
20 prevail in the practical operation of this
compafys car equipment
The companyis excuse-the recent fires
which they have been unfortunate to
perienceis not sufficient to account for the pres
ent condition OF their equipment and Intellectual
manner in which they maintained the rolling
stock. The inexcUsably long time elapSfng be-
fore the burned barns rebuilt should
not prevail. nor what they have lost through
these fires cause them to neglect the cars as
has been the case. ] find sufficient cars avail
sble in the caraouses for overhaulng purposes.
thai with q competent and universal method
~el1 maintain their rolling stock in slightly,
efficient and reliable condition.
II evidently meets the companys requirement
II the car body is sent through the paint shop
end painted, then put out again without proper
overhauling Of the truck and motor equipment.
-a-a 20 g y b.
Kept in each carlouse that taken in every
day for emergency repairs. This is excessive
IF the equipment were maintained in proper
condition. ? per cent Of the requiring
ergency repairs would be correct In many
cases the same car has come in more than once
The day. and in several instances three
times for different defects The same report
also indicates that there cannot be any proper
method Of inspection fer the detection Of faults,
nor effort 10 remove them, the same cars
defect 20 exist a week after the first eXamina-
ton.
My investigation leads to the conclusion that
The rolling stock equipment, carhouse repair
facilities and lack of effective system OF in
spection repair and maintenance departments
sre responsible for the undesirable service being
given by the railway company, inasmuch as
the rolling stock affects it.
Of one typical car the report says: Truck
frame cracked and sagging, seat guard rail
broken, curtain cords broken, two venthator
glasses broken. running board weak, some of
grab handles loose. glass in headlight broken.
one lamp guard missing and others bent, truck
ratified rain cutters bent and some OF stanch
'cns broken"