New-York tribune., 1908-12-18
NEW PLAN FOR SUBW AY
SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM.
It's 4doption Would Render I'm
necessary Changes at goth st.

Within a few days the Public Service Commission
is expected to render its decision on the adNlsa-
hility OF sanctionng system Of operating the
subway trains. which. ~ adopted. would render
practically unnecessary the extensive changes at
the esth street station planned by the old Rapid
Transit Commission. and for which the Board 81
Estimate made appropriation of $4,000
This new device is speed control system rec
commended nearly year ago by Bion J. Arnold
the commissions electrical expert retained to make
a study of the subway and report on improvements.
The marlborough has put into effect modined
speed control and has been operating trains under
that system for time. making a saving IN
time which permitted the operation Of trains at
reduced headway.
Further experiments with the speed control and
improved signalling devices have been so success
ful that the Interborough people believe better
operation of trains past 96th street could be &C
compshed through this than by the expensive re-
tracking and alterations there.
There has been considerable opposition the
part of property in the section from Soth
I03d street TO the proposed improvements De
cause OF the effect neighboring property. A
dele cation of property owners called on ComTnls-
sioner Eustis yesterday to urge that if the work
were absolutely necessary. il be rushed TO compile
ton 50 that the remain torn only as long
as absolutely necessary. Commissioner Eusts VIII
present all these facts 70 the commission to-day.
The completion of work. according to the orig
inal plans would Kill off the trees in Broadway al
that point and proba bly, would prevent the growth
Of trees RENAMED there As The Tribune has told,
Park Commissioner Smith has refused permission
to the contractors TO chop down the trees. 1t Is
estimated that the work up to date has cost from
$4,000 10 $4,000
The Public Service Commission and myself have
been discussing for a month back new plan to re-
lieve the congested condition at 96th street said
Frank FIedley. general manager Of the INTERIOR
ough We have not entirely ceased work there,
h,,- we have been going slowly in order to reach
some decision with the commission We expect TO
reach that very soon
The Inrerborough company has been expert
o,enting from the beginning Of the year with
a new signal system al a5th street. 1t is system
which will enable trains to b. 1un closer To-
retber speed control signal system which VIII
pernit nlotorrnen to their trains into closed
block at A certain speed. and if that be eXceedeu
this new system automatically cuts the power Oh
from the train and it is brought 70 a standst-
We already have experimental at soth street
with the new system and il has worked success
fully All we are waiting for now is the report OF
the commissions experts who have been eAahllh-
ing the system.
Under the proposed system Mr.. Arnold, In his
rsrort made on January IS said that express trains
ought 10 be operated at the headway or ninety sec
onds About the best the subway ever mas Deen
able 10 do for any extended period is train every
TWO minutes The installation OF signal system
with the speed control principle would permit an IN
crease of 80 i-3 per cent in the subway service ne
said It is understood that the Interboroushs eA-
perfments show that approximately that increase
is obtainable.