New-York tribune., 1920-02-13

order to give the shovelers further OF
1t was agreed last night that the
situation was more promising than at
any time since the snowfall, unless
there was sudden freeze or repeti-
ton OF the snow storm. The afternoon
forecast for New York and vicinity, as
issued from the local Weather Bureau
office, predicted light fall of snow for
the night. The warm weather, however,
gave promise that even this seeming
evil might prove benefit in disguise.
Should the snow turn into rain as rap
! idly as it fell, Street Cleaning Commits
| sloner Arnold B. MacStay said that it
probably would prove greater factor
in cleaning up the streets than all the
men who could be mustered to the work
of handling shovels.
Mayor Demanded Action
The appearance Of the citys police
as snow shovelers was a result of a
conference called by Mayor Hylan early
in the day. When the Mayor rode over
by B. K. T. car from Brooklyn at 1880
O'Clock in the morning he said he had
made tour of inspection of the
streets and had decided something
should be done to speed up the clean
ing process.
The first step in this process in
volved the calling of conference of
department heads from every branch of
the city government. At the conclusion
Of the meeting, which lasted until
nearly o'clock in the afternoon, the
Mayor announced that Police Commits
sioner Enright had said that he had
1000 policemen Who were ready to go
oh no +oclr Nf sfrio
the most congested traffic centers
"Well put them on the bridges to-
night" said Commissioner MacStay.
The result was that the evening rush
hour crowds saw swarms of bluecoated
patrolmen doing the wolk of street
cleaners on the Brooklyn and Manhat-
tan bridges. They began work with
the understanding that they would re-
main at their task until midnight.
Members of the regular street cleaning
force did not generally credit this
determination, however, as it is we'll
known fact that a back unused to work
with a pick can seldom bear the un-
usual strain for more than two hours.
While Captain "Sailor" Bourke's
snow -shovelling policemen were toiling
their way down Canal Street after
clearing the Manhattan Bridge Plaza,
who should come along in an auto
mobile but Mayor Hylan and Street
Cleaning Commissioner MacStay. both
current on the East Side later, the
Mayor got out Of the automobile, seized
shovel and showed the patrolmen
how to shovel faster.
Days Thaw Aided Workers
The total number of workers en-
ployed in Manhattan, Brooklyn and
the Bronx during the day was 1925.
This included the large number Of
extras who made use of their holiday
leisure to assist in clearing up the
city and earn from so cents to 81 an
hour, as we'll as the contractors forces
and the still hard-working "white
wings"
Crosstown streets from Fourteenth
Street north were given the preference
by the Street Cleaning Department in
result that the congestion in Four
teenth Street was relieved and many
other strets opened up from river to
river. To-day it is expected that prac-
tically all the crosstown streets from
Thirty second to Fifty fourth will be
closed, if necessary. in order to give
the working forces uninterrupted
periods of concentrated effort.
The days thaw did much to facili-
tate Cnc WOfk dUu uldIly AAOulltdlH
of ice had dwindled to comparatively
trifing proportions before the pick
men got around to working on it..
To-day a new hydraulic appliance that
is expected to undermine drifts with
powerful streams of water, will be
used in the streets for the first time.
This was announced at the street clean
ing bureau after it had been found
that the numerous melting devices
actually accomplished little. A steam
shovel that is expected to rip up the
ice also is to be used.
Broadway cars we're operating to
Bowling Green shortly after noon yes
terday. Job Hedges announced that the
crosstown lines and the main lines that
had been running the previous day had
extended their service materially and
probably would be greatly augmented
to-day He was unable to make any
estimate as to the probable date of a
| resumption of service, however. Stalled
cars still stood before the Municipal
Building, where they were left eight
days ago when the underground trolley
| slot was frozen over, and it is possible
| that they will remain there another
week.
Traction service, even in the subway,
was not continued without some hazards
to passengers and much difficulty for
| car crews.
Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn