New-York tribune., 1915-03-21

Naturally, the surface cars would be the first
to suffer Twenty-four hours OF raging biz
zard weather would put them out of commis-
sion entirely. The elevated and steam rail-
road lines would be next, while the subway
lines would hold out only as long as there
was sufficient coal at the power houses to sup
plv the electric current Transportation ex-
perts estimate that the power houses Of the
Interborough have enough coal in their yards
to last for more than ten days. But there is
a doubt whether the subway lines could be
operated for that length Of time, owing to the
fact that their cars are operated upon elevated
structures in several places along their routes
NEW YORK WOULD BE CUT OFF
FROM REMAINDER OF COUNTRY.
The telephone system would soon be Grip
pied. despite the fact that most OF the wires
run in underground conduits Even if it were
possible to prevent short circuits, the enforced
absence of the switchboard operators would
soon seriously cripple the service. AS New
York is connected by underground telephone
wires with only two cities-Washington and
Philadelphia-it would soon be isolated from
the rest Of the country.
The police and fire alarm signals would also
suffer severely, and might be completely IN
terrupted Even during the small blizzard last
March the greater part OF the fire signalling
and police alarm apparatus was out OF COM
mission The seriousness of the situation re-
sulting from this cannot be exaggerated. But
even with an intact fire alarm system, the Fire
Department would be crippled by the snow
Is. arJ ~. ;,,,paccabIe condition OF the
streets Neither automobile nor horse-drawn
FIRE engines and trucks could get to the scene
of FIRE, which might be harmless at the start
but which would speedily develop into con-
iagration from lack Of appropriate and time
ly combative measures.
Another serious situation would arise from
the garbage and refuse which would accumu-
late in streets and backyards of houses The
Street Cleaning Department would be power
less to make any effort to relieve citizens OF
the dangers and inconvenience which might
arise from this source.
The citys lighting system would fail at the
end of few days, partly on account of broken
wires and defective insulation. and finally
from lack of fuel at the power houses. Under
the heavy load OF many feet OF packed snow
which experts CdlCulatdc IS from TWO 10 louT
times as heavy water, roofs of dwellings,
especially those Of the light frame variety
would be strained to the breaking point and
be source of continuous danger to those
under their shelter.
The water supply might be seriously Grip
pied, and possibly give out altogether Main
pipes might burst or the pumping stations
be forced to suspend for lack Of fuel. The
effects of such calamity are a matter for
the Imagination to dwell upon.
Horses would starve because the fodder
supply in New York stables is limited and
cannot be replenished under blizzard weather
conditions. Domestic animals, on the point
of starvation, might become serious menace
to their masters, because even the gentlest OF
domestic pets will become ferocious, and in
many cases insane, under the stress of pro-
longed starvation.
The municipal life Of the community would
be suspended The City Hall, the courts and
other public buildings would be deserted, as
the officials would find it impossible to get
to their Offices Inmates Of hospitals. prisons
and other public institutions would keenly suf-