New-York tribune., 1908-02-23
THE MULE a TRANSIT MYSTERY.

The other alternative machinery is impractical
TO a large extent. The drum and cable need con-
stant readjustment the shaft advances Pneu-
matte cars have been used in places, but they are
costly and likely to get out Of order mule is
never out of order long as he has his own sweet
way his way is disputed 1t is usually the driver
who is out OF order. Besides. machinery needs
skilled attendance. In the words Of one of the
negro stablenen, Anybody with hoss sense kin
manage mule
And so it comes about that the mule is almost
essential to subway work. IF we had to give up
our mules we would he put tc great expense.
trouble and delay" said a man in one of the COM
paDies' Offices. And that fear of being obliged by
the authorities give up their mules is the buga-
boo that has been worrying tunnel builders IN this
city ever since the first work began
In fact. the mule seems to be one Of New York s
transit mysteries. and. if you to take the
word of the contractors. without any apparently
good reason. If you don't believe the mule Is q
mystery go to the Offices of any of the concerns
connected with the construction Of the citys under
ground lines and get inouistive about that long
cared quadruped. The inquirer will meet with so
much official ignorance polite rebuff and secret
evasion that he begins to feel like interstate
commerce commission The subway mule Is a
mystery yet unprobed.
Go TO the offices OF the Pennsylvania company
and mention that YOU are interested in mules You
will be taken in hard u harmless imbecile and
passed from minion to another till you reach
the secretary OF the cEfef engineer. He viii tell
You that the Broad street office of the company in
Philadelphia is the only place where mule statis-
tics divulsed. Perhaps you insist that you
wish the chief himself To prevent your
brayinG and kicking like the subject in hand your
wish is granted. The chief smiles at you pityngly,
admits that he has heard that there mules
working under his feet but further than that de-
ponent sayeth He has a distinct air however,
of taking little stock in the Tumor and makes You
decidedly ashamed of yourself for bothering with
so trivial a hearsay But he finds the Broad street
suggestion isn't popular with you, finally tells
you that the only man in New York who lecture
officially the subject of mules is the head Of the
United Engineering and Contracting Company,
which is doing the actual digging on the Pennsyl-
vania's tubes.
As you leave the engineers Office you think you
phone and hear him using the name OF the official
10 whom he has just sent you That may be only
Imagination however. At the Office OF the con-
tracing company. after much arbitration, you see
the president, polite young man who combines 10
a remarkable degree the qualities of the competent
and suspicious corporation executive and the liter
airy dilettante. In many words, full of rounded
periods he tells you nothing about mules He in
ssts that the subject is not interesting one to
write about anyhow and quotes many ancient
authors prove it. He offers to sit up nights to
help you write any other article under heaven.
Then you modestly ask for permission visit the
tunnels and see the mules for yourself Whereupon
orders issued to the guards at each tunnel en-
trance under any circumstances TO allow any
Of your and description TO enter
You go away impressed with the Importance of
the mule in transit problems. Your experience with
the other companies is similar Your curiosity is
aroused Conversation with numerous unofficial