The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-15
The Draught Horse la the City
streets I'm Winter.

The side streets leading 10 the rivers
in downtown New York. especially
where there is grade, seem to hav.
been paved with no concern for tbs
draught horse during the season Of
snow and ice. No humane person car
witness the suiferings Of these animal.
in stormy weather without praying fol
the time when all the trucking business
of the town will be done with motor
wagons. An asphalt surface covered
with snow or filmed with ice affords nc
footing TO horse drawing heavy load
even if shod for slippery work. The
wooden pavement is more treacherous,
and IL is as bad after rain in summer
as after snow in winter. Nrsey street
from Broadway down TO Washington
has crippled uncountable horses because
il is paved with blocks that seem 10 be-
coated with slime on a wet ar snowy
day No horse can plant his feet 10
get a start up or down hill without slip
ping 10 his knees, and often injuring
himself seriously. II ia sometimes said
they do not have their horses properly
shod. But the best of shooting is some
times futile. On this subject Superin-
tendent THOMAS FREEL Of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty Ia AMI
mails says
The conditions on different streets make 4,
impossible FOR owners who are humane always
20 pIeven, their horses from falling For Instance
q man has his horses shoes snaT pened and there
l. 81 rfculty the side streets where the snow
and ice cover tho pavement. Then the hors-
turns into Broadway. where the Ice has been r.
moved and after he has walked four blocas on
the hard pavement the caikS. which 1, cost a cou
pie Of dollars TO sharpen are worn smooth. that
5 the horse turns into n side street again
he begins To slip. Tho oVersho-s for horses. un
less they are used with intelligence do more harm
than good. The Fire department the large lie
psrtment stores. and many OF the other large
owners of horses that are obliged TO be out In all
conditions use rubber pads with excellent result,
but the irst cost OF this equipment puts II on, Of
the reach OF many horse owners
Undoubtedly there is overlooking. and
when the case can be- proved the driver
should be arrested. and il he is 10 blame
he should be fined. but very often il
is not his fault and he must choose
between obeying orders or losing his
place. II ia not. however. the load that
in many cases drags the horse down or
causes him TO slip. A horse drawing a
half load can find no footing on such
a street surface as We have described.
The conditions that cause so many
injuries To horses sometimes so serious
that the poor brites must be shot. are
due mainly. almost entirely 10 the selec-
ton of wood and asphalt for the streets
on which there is any grade We are
aware that the making Of street surfaces
safe for horses il IA d:.iCult problem.
but certainly no street with grade
should be laid with wooden blocks. and
there should BIZ sparing use Of asphalt
on short and steep thoroughfares.
The ultimate solution will Of course
be tho substitution of IN. motor truck
Tor the horse drawn vehicle. But BE-
fore that blessed contamination the maj
will he a public benefacror who can
invent "A pavement that AFT ord- horse
some kind Of footing on wet. snowy and
icy DAYS