New-York tribune., 1909-05-13
wHEgLeUARDs FOR srRgETcARs.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir The Tribune on April % said: 1T is under
stood that most OF the wheelguards at present In
use on the Metropolitan cars will not come up 10
the commissions high standard OF efficiency"
Most of the wheelguards at present in use on
the Metropolitan cars" are OF the modified locomo-
tive pilot form. their oblique fronts falling away
from the apex at the centre and also slanng back
ward from the lower edge They are framed OF
heavy iron pipe. faced with thick rubber betting.
six inches wide TO soften contact with fallen hui
manty and the triangular space behind the fac
ing filed in with wire netting to catch and hold
any one passing the front. They at
tached to the pilot board the front of the truck
They are installed preferably two and one-halt
inches above the track at which height II Is obvi
Gus that nothing larger than a small cat could
mass under them The bad conditions of pave
ments on some streets have at times compelled
installation inch higher.
Thousands OF these guards have been in
these cars for many years 1t is too late to dis
mite their efficiency I'm preventing persons from
contact with the underworks Of the cars. The
story of their service has been told in New York
CITY newspapers scores. probably hundreds OF
times l incose a few specimens, though TO at
tarnnt TO give YOU information the subject must
ne a work of supererogation. you doubtless
familiar with IT, II not It is surely not the fault
Of the gnard for It has made plenty OF history.
This wheeguard duly presented at Sche-
nectady TO be subjected TO the Public Service Com
mission test The engineer in charge refused TO
test it, and said in explanation that the merits or
tha pt,ard were well known to require test.
Whether this explanation sincere not II is
,rpnossibe FOR me TO say, but think it must have
been sincere for the engineer who had charge Of
the insnection OF equipment OF New York City rail-
,,a,s had previously expressed himself to the
ae,eo+ to the writer The commission however.
could hardly refuse to test wheelguard offered.
especiallv with such a commendaton. and then
refuse to permit its use If railway companies In
the city desired TO use IT.
The company owning the pilot guard was not
offended bv the refusal to test IT, it had plenty
or other candidates three of which, fender and
two automatic wheelguards. took high nonOrs. thus
giving their owner tne blue ribbon OF the show
wbenever the subject OF a change OF wheelguards
Is mentioned in the newspapers it is accompanied
with q wears statistics OF casualties associated
with the cars as though to say that with new
,ybeeIguards all this will Something less
.h,, that must be expected The streets of this
Iorg narrow city are congested. In my judg-
,nnt neither the equipment of the the
conduct of them is chargeabe with more than
email minority of the casualties in which they
ticinate The cars must run, and the chief pur-
nose in providing them with safety appliances is
IN protect children of all ages from the conse-
o,,ances of their own heedessness- The function
- tho vbeelguard is clear and easily defined. 1t
a. ~ nrevent persons already PROSTATE the
+rooL from, going under the wheels. The best of
,ards cannot lessen the number of casualties else
where. - "a d
Newark n Y, May 8, 1909.
rive do not understand that the Public Ser