New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-28
REPORTS FOR TENDERS
L. S. &. COMMITTEE URGES
THEM ON ALL CARS.
Hearings Ordered to Determine
Whether Safety DeUices Shall
Be Mandatory Here.

AS result of the fender tests recently held
at Schenectady and Pittsburg, the Public Ser
vice Commission ordered yesterday that hear
lngs be held on February and to determine
whether all the streetcar companies 'in New
York City should be directed 20 equip ali sur
face with tenders and wheel guards
This is in accordance with the report made by
the commisson's s sub committee on safety de-
vices that conducted the tests. The members
of this committee are A. W. McLmont, cleo
trical engineer of the commission; D. L. Turner,
chief of the transit inspection bureau. and
George F. Daggett. chief of the accident bu-
reau.
The report recommends that all surface cars
under the Jurisdiction Of the commission be sup
piled with two automatic wheel guards, to be
attached to the trucks of all types of cars and
that all cars in service in the boroughs of The
Bronx Queens and Richmond should. in addi-
ton, be equipped with projecting type of fen
der, and that all cars in service in Brooklyn
should also be equipped with projecting tenders.
but that in certain congested streets the fender
should be lifted and carried in folded position.
At present all the cars of the Metropolitan
system operated in Manhattan equipped
with wheel guards, but none of the Metropolitan
carry projecting tenders. The cars oper-
ated by the Third system have neither
wheel guards projecting tenders. All the
cars operated in Brooklyn and Queens carry
projecting tenders. but no wheel guards. The
cars in operation in The Bronx have neither
projecting tenders wheel guards. The cars
in Richmond have projecting tenders, but no
wheel guards.
Commissioner Maltbie, who presented the re
port to the commission. estimated that the cost
OF eQuippins the surface cars of New York City
with the best type OF lifesaving devices would
tA,Ts sIa
companies operating surface cars in New York
City incurred during the year 19p6-OI eXpendl-
lures for injuries, damages and legal expenses
amounting 10 more than S350nooo
a considerable portion of this outlay, he said.
could he saved by the introduction of proper
tenders and wheel guards. OF the wheel guards
and tenders in use at present in the city 1t is
understood that only small percentage Will
come up To- the standard which will be de-
nanded by the commission a result of the
recent tests
AS the total cost of holding the tests was
about $1,000. and as 800 separate tests were
made the expenses attending each test aver
aged only 81 44-an insignificant amount, both
in total and detail. the commission thinks. con-
sidering the Importance of the results aimed at.
namely, the lessening of the terrible slaughter
which goes on year by year on the streetear
tracks of New York City
The report answers the criticism made Of the
purchase of cheap clothing. etc. for the dunn
mics or lay figures used in the tests, by saying
that the effect of clothing on contact with the
tenders and wheel guards disclosed in many
cases a lack of sufficient pressure upon the fend-
ers thus demonstrating to manufacturers that
if their devices are to be successful they must
have sufficient pressure to hold them TO the
track in picking up bodies
The streets in Brooklyn on which II is rec
commended that the tenders may be lifted and
carried in a folded position are Fulton street
west of Putnam avenue; Court street. north OF
Atlantic avenue; Boerum Place and Adams
street north of Livingston street; Washington
street and Adams street, between Fulton street
and Sands street Smith street line, north OF
Livingston street; williamsburg Bridge lines
west of Havemeyer street or Broadway Ihis
execution is made on account of the congestion
Of traffic at these points, which makes fast run
ONT NJ question.