New-York tribune., 1922-08-07
Strike Sympathizers
Wreck Current Carrier.
Delaying Service From
One TO Four Hours
Il Stalled Trains
Cause Near-P Panic
Sabotage Believed Care
fully Planned; $1,000
Reward Is Offered


Long Island train service was dis
rupted and thousands of people on
their way to nearby beaches were de-
layed from one to four hours when
sympathizers of striking shopmen yes
terday attempted to destroy the roads
third rail. Trains running between
1880 a. m. and 4:30 p. NJ. were stalled.
This was the first serious attempt
made to cripple local rail equipment
because of ill-feeling over the strike.
Twelve trains, heavily loaded with
women and children, bound for Rocka-
way, Long Beach and ether resorts,
threw their passengers into near panics
as they screcched through the tam
pered area, tearing up the third rail in
a shower Of sparks and ripping oil
their brake shoes.
Only one attempt to wreck or de-
stroy the trains was made, and that
was averted by the vigilance Of the
nj motorman, A coil Of wiro had been
placed between the third rail and the
tracks. Had the train crossed it it
would have meant a serious short cir
cult. The third rail and its cable
would have been burnt up for con-
siderable distance and tho cars set on
fire. The force Of such a short circuit
is terrific. according to engineers of
the road.
Believed Carefully Planned
Long Island officials who yesterday
expressed the belief that the tearing
up and destruction of the third rail
had been carefully planned and carried
out by band Of skilled workmen Of
fered reward of $1,000 for informa-
ton leading to the arrest and a con-
viction of any Of the men implicated.
Police also inclined to the belief that
1t had been carefully planned and are
trying TO identify red car said to
have been frequently near the spots
where the rails were tampered with.
The police believe this car, loaded
with men, went around picking out and
mapping likely sites and contained the
rlngleaders in the attack. The car
was not seen yesterday.
bitter feeling has been in evidence
between thes rai3paad and its strikinp
employees all during the week. Wsdnes-
day there was a small riot in Newark
when three ringleaders were sent ia
Jail, and Friday the women organized
pepper-throwing battle.
Yesterday it fared up in what Off
erals OF the Long Island termed well
organized attempt to wreck the road
skiiitul. tamporing by men highly
versed in handling live third rails,
Bolts We're Removed
Generally the bolts which hold ths
wooden guard and live rail in place
were removed. As the train passed
the vibration shook +he guard down
on the raii, rlppi.g off the brakeshces 8
OF the trains and frequently cutting
the rail supports and overturning it.
Further evidence of how we'll the
plan was laid is cited by the officials in
the laying out of the tampered areas.
When train 1906 lost ali its brakeshoes
IN one of the traps the shoes on the
opposite side were moved
A short distance up the track the
third rail shifted to the other side of
the train and they We're shifted back.
These, however, were ripped off within
y few feet by the unloosed guards.
at least thirty places where the bolts
mad been loosened for from 100 to 300
feet had been discovered and repaired
by the road yesterday, but it is pos
sible many other guards have been
loosened and did not fall because Of
little vibration as the train passed.
There was evidence that less skilsful
buS equally willing hands had helped
in the general sabotage Several cases
were reported where the third rail had
been completely overturned for few
hundred feet, leaving the supports ex-
posed to the brakeshoes.
Damage at Four Points
The chief damage was discovered at
four widely divergent points: Hemp
stead division, between Nassau Boule-
ward and Garden City; main line, be-
tween Queens and Hollis; Atlantic divi-
sion, between Springfield and Valley
Stream, and the Rockaway division at
the aqueduct.
The most serious was discovered at
Liberty Avenue and at Country Life
Press, where 800 feet of track were
wrecked. Rail turnover was repaired
at Robert Avenue after several trains
had been tied up.
A close inspection cf all the roadbed
and third ralr was Immediately ordered
by the officials and an inspection will
be made early each morning until the
end Of the strike. This will enable the
railroad to repair the damage before
Continued or next pass>