The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-07
To Investigate Thoroughly.

IT am here 10 look thoroughly INTO
every phase OF the case Mr.. Perkins
told the reporters. ''I want to look into
every phase of the situation and to oh.
serve especially conditions that may
change quickly"
with that he descended the ladder
Leading through an emergency exit into
the subway lie found that a door OF
one OF the local trains was near the
narrow passageway leading from the sub
way proper 20 the ventilating areaway
on the side Of the subway. The car near
the passageway was one OF the cars of
the first subway local train stalled to
the north of the manholes at Fifty-thiru
street. To the north OF II was another
train. Right beside 1t was the express
train on The southbound track Windows
Of those trains he found had been
smashed
Going south 10 the door leading 10 the
ma nhole and also to the conduit tina.
runs south along the southbound subway
| tracks-it ia through this conduit that
the cables carrying the alternating and
direct currents run-Mr. Perkins looked
into the conduit on the southbound track
and found that the cables and the insu-
lation had been melted and burned away.
lie was Informed that the short circuit
OF the alternating high tension ca bles.
each OF which carried II 900 volts. and OF
the low power direct wires. carrying $40
volts. made tremendous arc the heat
Of which was so great that practically no
| material could resist Il.
Mr.. Perkins returned finally 70 the open
air and went to the private offices of
the Buick Motor Company. where he be-
gan at once to question witnesses. Mrs
| Henry Russell browne OF 30S West Sew
cnty-elghth street. whose husband is one
OF the members OF the Sons OF the Revo-
/ luton, was the first person questioned
/ She had given splendid assistance In
drectnc the work Of first aid to the
hundreds carried from the subway at
| Fifty-fifth street and Broadway. She told
OF her experiences, many Of which are
related elsewhere
what struck me specially" she said
was the manner in which the faces OF
/ the passengers were blackened Specially
around the mouths there was thick
| blackness one OF the FIRST women whom
| / attended was a girl had a first aid
kit. and applied spirits Of ammonia &c
her and gave her some brandy. Then
,said t. her:
First victim Of Accident.
Nov. you will brace up. won't you
and help me with the others
"She said she would. but the next mo.
ment she tainted. and I called to a doc
tor. who sent her at once to the hospital
whore, ! understand, she died"
Mrs. browne afterward went to m,
hospital 10 Identify the woman. az tn,
District Attorney wished to establish be
yond question that the woman who diet
was really IN the accident.
Next Frank r.. Hedlsv, manager am
! vice-pres!dent OF the Interborough. ap
peared. He had brief talk with tn
Distric' Attorney. in which he cxplaine
the cause OF the accident and the resultt
He said that the short circuit had &C
CURED at S:07 He gave a detailed OK
PLANTATION OF the layout Of tho cables use
In transmitting the power for the runnin
| of the subway trains.
The power, he explained. was convcye
from the big power house al Flfty-nint
street and the North River in three inc
cables. each carrying q high tension al
ternatlng current OF IL. 900 voltage. Thos
| cables entered a conduit at the side o