New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-13
Charges Hylan
Fight ON Pyrelle
Perils. Millions
Extings,isher Co. Head Says
Mayors Threatened Re-
moval of Appliance From
Sideways IL Dangerous
|. II. L. Defends Criticism
Refutes Board of Estimate
Charge That Non-Rush
Hour Order Is Violated

Walter Bauer, president of the
Pyrene Manufacturing Company, de-
tended its fire eXtinguishers yesterday
against tho attack made by Mayor Hy-
Ian and other city officials following
last weeks fire in the subway He
said that if the Mayor attempted to
remove the Pyrene extinguishers from
the subway he would imperil the lives
of 100000 passengers daily.
MANY of the published statements, "
said Mr.. Bauer, ARE reported as
emanating from Mayor Hylan and from
public officials relative to the alleged
effect of the use of Pyrene fire ex-
tinguishers on the victims of the re-
cent Lexington Avenue subway fire.
Pyrene extinguishers had nothing to do
with the suffering and asphyxiation
that was caused by the fumes from
burning insulation, but, on the other
hand, the extinguishers brought the
fire under control, and their prompt
use prevented what might have been a
large casualty list.
Jeopardizes 100000 Lives
The Mayor has talked a great deal
about the 'criminality' of keeping Pv-
rene extinguishers in the subway, but
has said nothing of the 'criminality'
of taking away the only means of put
ting out fire in tkc subway quickly.
Pyrene extinguishers have put out hun
dreds of fires in the subways during
the last ten years. If the Mayor at
tempts to remove eXtinguishers from
the subway he alone will be responsi-
Bile for jeopardizing the lives of 2,O0O,-
coo people who daily use these lines.
All experienced fire engineers know
there is no substitute for Pyrene on
electrical fire risks"
Frank Hedley, president of the In
terborough, informed the Transit Com
mission yesterday that the orders he
issued Tuesday concerning Pyrene ex-
tlnguishers did not Danish them but
merely were to the effect that while
the investigation into the fire was on
they were not to be used on an active
electric arc.
The substitution of sand and such
other extlnguishers as may be recon-
mended by the Fire Commissioner for
the cxtinguishers now in use is one of
the urgent and peremptory demands
for immediate changes in the equip
ment of subway cars" which Corpora
ton Counsel John P. O'Brien made yes
terday upon Mr.. Hedley.
Demands Subpoena for Hedley
Mr.. O'Brien also submitted demand
to the Transit Commission for a public
hearing and investigation into the
causes of the subway fire, with the i'm
mediate issuance of subpenas for Mr..
HedleY and other marlborough Off
Gals, with an opportunity for their ex-
animation by representatives of the
city.
The Corporation Counsels demands
were made in behalf of the committee
Of department heads appointed by the
Mayor to investigate the accident.
Of Mr.. Hedley he demanded, besides
the removal of the Pyrene extinguish b.
ers, the ginsta llation of some device in.
dependent of the panel switches. to in
sulate every car in subway train
from the third-rail current, automatic
control of emergency lights in all cars
independent of all other switches and
the installation az boxes of sand in
every cals with which to fight shor,
circuit fires.
The Board of Estimate and Amor
tlonment, at the suggestion of Mayor
Hylan. adopted resolution for an in
vestigation by the city to determine
whether the PETERBOROUGH was living
up to the recent order of the Transit
Commission to speed up it's express
schedule during non-rush hour periods