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REPORT TO THE BOARD ON THE HEATING

AND VENTILATION OF CARS.

To the Honorable the Board of Railroad Commissioners:

GENTLEMEN-The following instructions were received November 12, 1885: "The Board directs you to make personal inspection of the principal railroads of the State and ascertain the condition of temperature and ventilation in sleeping and drawing-room cars and first class passenger cars, and the attention that porters pay to the traveling public, and report in detail to this Board."

In compliance with these instructions, your inspector has made effort to obtain the required information by traveling at different times over the longer railroads, and by passing through trains while at stations, and thus has been able in a general way to arrive at the methods adopted for heating and ventilating passenger cars, and to some extent, the care given by train men to such matters. As far as possible, the solicitude of conductors and porters, for the convenience and comfort of passengers, in sleeping and drawing-room cars has received attention.

The general method of heating is by direct radiation, either with ordinary stoves, or stoves heating water, and thence distributed in pipes along the lower angle of sides of car, with sometimes an additional piping, coiled under each sitting.

The fuel most in use is anthracite coal; a few roads penetrating the bituminous region of Pennsylvania, burn soft coal; but the use of wood has become almost obsolete, which is much to be regretted, as it is the only fuel substantially free from noxious gases, and hence best adapted for heating of cars. It is the experience of some roads that a hot water apparatus does not, in an extremely low temperature fully, and promptly, meet the necessities of a proper warmth. The water does not appear to circulate rapidly through the pipes, and if the fires are omitted, it requires considerable time in which to obtain sufficient heat to make cars comfortable.

An instance of such character was noticed in a parlor smoking car, which left a terminal, and ran 100 miles before the car could be made tenantable, and yet a sharp fire was made in the heater just before the train started.

Cars heated by direct radiation are ventilated, either by opening doors and windows, or ventilators in the upper deck, or both, as the emergency is. All such methods are attended with more or less discomfort and danger to those coming directly within the draught thus obtained. Such discomfort causes complaint from those exposed, resulting in the shutting out of the fresh air from the outside; using and reheating that inside of car, which at the best, will in a few minutes become tainted, even if the car is only partly filled with passengers.

Your inspector particularly noticed this on many trains, and was compelled more than once, to immediately return to the outside air after entering a car thus unventilated. Especially was the air in such cars found unbearable at early morning hours, on trains that had been running through the night.

A few of the railroads in our State have adopted a system of heating by indirect radiation, and which also includes a method of ventilation, that has proven effective and void of the annoyances and discomforts before referred to. Such a system was noticed on the Northern Central, the New York and New England, and, to some extent, on the Harlem and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western and a few other railroads. The Central Hudson company are experimenting with the Creamer heater and improved ventilators, quite similar to the Spear heater and method of ventilation in use on the Pennsylvania railroad and the Northern Central of our State. The Gouge heater is used on the Harlem and Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroads.

Circular No. 22, Issued by your Honorable Board, calls the attention of railroad companies of this State to the method of indirect radiation for heating and for ventilation above referred to, giving an outline of its application as follows: "An improved system is now in vogue on some railroads in this State and elsewhere, which consists substantially in admitting fresh cold air through a screen into a small furnace at the end of the car, where it is heated and thence transmitted into the car through flues laid in the angle between the floor and sides, there being an opening or register at each seat, the circulation thus induced causing a constant movement of the air upward and out of the ventilating windows at the top of the car, instead of allowing the cold air to settle down, as is usually the case." The ventilating windows at the top of car may properly be called horizontal transom windows. They are so constructed as to be set trailing in either direction the canmay be moving, and the upper deck is extended beyond its side, thus, with the transom open forming a flue which will prevent side currents of air from entering the car, particularly when the car is in motion. The motion of the car through the atmosphere forces a cur

rent of air through the interior of the car and out of the ventilators, and thus the air inside is constantly being changed.

While riding over the Northern Central railroad, where this system of heating and ventilation was in operation, one cold winter's night, your inspector made careful and frequent comparison between the outside and the car atmosphere, and could discover nothing offensive in the air of car, which was fairly filled with passengers. The average cost of the appliances to heat and ventilate in the above manner, allowing for two stoves or furnaces and for the air pipes complete, is said not to exceed $150, and probably could be placed in a car while being constructed for a less sum. The arrangement of the ventilators in the upper deck cannot much exceed the cost of those ordinarily used.

It is evident, and must be to every one who will investigate the subject, that a constant change of air in a passenger car is necessary for comfort and health, and the foregoing or a similar method is the only way to maintain a pure atmosphere, and at the same time a comfortable temperature, both of which can be attained at little if any cost above that of direct radiation by the ordinary methods.

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Recently a device in the shape of a casing outside the smoke stack of heaters, and provided with dampers and vents at bottom, has been brought into use, the effect of which is not to intensify the heat near the furnaces, above that in the center of the car. Circular No. 22 before referred to, also advises among other things, to place a Fahrenheit thermometer in all passenger cars, about the center thereof, and to instruct those charged with maintaining the temperature, to keep it as nearly as may be at the point of seventy degrees."

Your inspector did not find such thermometer in any drawing-room, sleeping, or ordinary passenger car, and was informed that all thermometers before provided had been

removed.

The use of a thermometer is a necessity, otherwise an established degree of heat cannot be observed, but is subjected to the uncertainty of guess work, often resulting in a temperature far below or above that required or desirable.

Such a result was often noticed while making inspections for this report. Cars stifling with heat were kept oppressive by train men firing stoves already throwing out more warmth than was bearable, and this was almost invariably done at division terminals, where train crews were changed. When remonstrated with a window was thrown open, perhaps a door, or worse, a drop ventilator would be let down, each very soon to be closed by some exposed passenger." Especially was the over-heating of cars, as was lack of ventilation, noticeable on night trains, and where long runs were made between stoppings. Way trains were generally found very well ventilated and warmed.

Your inspector did not observe many flagrant instances of carelessness or inattention on the part of train men in the matter of heating or of ventilation. In the foregoing, allusion has been made to such; but in general, effort appears to be made to suit the wishes ofpas sengers, and probably where direct radiation is employed for heating, as it is in a large majority of the cars in our State the system was more at fault than those in charge.

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Your inspector has no suggestions to make other than intimated. The matter of a proper heat or of ventilation, is viewed differently by nearly all affected, and the only way to reach a solution, is to provide the proper appliances for ventilating, and set up a standard of heat and a register, as advised by your Honorable Board.

Dated ALBANY, N. Y., March 18, 1886.

Respectfully submitted,
THOS. W. SPENCER, Inspector.

ADDENDUM.

Since the foregoing inspections were made, it has been observed that the Boston and Albany Railroad Company have placed thermometers in about the center of all passenger

cars.

Inquiry as to the practical workings and the utility of such a register, gave to your inspector the gratifying answers given below, and which sustain the position taken by your Honorable Board.

A conductor on the above railroad stated: "It was a great satisfaction to know precisely the temperature of a car. He was able to refer to it and inform those objecting or feeling to object to the condition of heat or cold, and that the matter was at once pleasantly settled to gratification of all, and the remedy, if necessary, could be immediately attempted." "Brakemen coming from the outside air, and perhaps feeling the cold, could and did before any change in heat of car was made, first refer to his register and act accordingly."

Your inspector feels warranted in saying, if a thermometer to govern the heat of cars was general use on the lines of road in our State, it would add much to the comfort of the public, and save many disputes between passengers and employees of trains. THOS. W. SPENCER,

Dated ALBANY, N. Y., April 9, 1886.

Inspector.

MINUTES OF THE BOARD,

REPORTED IN PURSUANCE OF SECTIONS 2 AND 10 OF CHAPTER 353, LAWS OF 1882.

OCTOBER 6, 1885.

The Board met pursuant to rule. Present-Commissioners Kernan and Rogers.
The minutes were read and approved.

The Secretary submitted the unfinished business under the rule, viz. :

Reply of Nelson Burdick to answers of the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburgh and the Utica and Black River Railroad Companies, and petition of citizens of Watertown. Ordered, that copies of the same be forwarded to the railroad companies.

Telegram and letter with inclosures from J. R. Maxwell, vice-president Long Island Railroad Company, relative to statistics as to manure. Ordered laid over.

Letter of Fred. F. Chambers, Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, relative to complaint of town of Sauquoit. Ordered_filed.

Letter of R. M. Olyphant, Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, relative to complaint of U. G. Paris. Ordered filed.

Letter of Corning Glass Works. Ordered that a copy of the letter be sent the Fall Brook Coal Company, and that the company be requested to reply as to whether it desires to make any answer thereto.

Letter from L. A. Sneden, relative to his complaint against the New Jersey and New York Railroad Company. Ordered, that a copy of so much of the letter as relates to the complaint of himself be sent to the New Jersey and New York Railroad Company, together with a statement that the disposition of the matter seems to be satisfactory to Mr. Sneden, and the case is closed.

Letter of C. M. Depew, relative to Herkimer called up. Laid over one week.

On motion of Commissioner Rogers, the Secretary was directed to write to Daniel Robinson, president of the Troy and Boston Railroad Company, that the Board demand that he furnish them on or before Monday, October 12th, quarterly reports for the quarters ending March 31, 1885, and June 30, 1885.

Commissioner Rogers verbally reported that Commissioners O'Donnell and Rogers inspected under instructions of the Board an automatic gate of the Automatic Railway Gate and Signal Company in experimental operation on the Staten Island Railroad on Wednesday, September 30th.

Commissioner Kernan reported that as a committee of the Board on September 30th, he heard Mr. H. G. Young, assistant general manager, in defense of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company against the complaint of the Board of Health of Mechanicville. Commissioner Rogers called up the report of an accident at Colliers, 28th of September, on Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's road. Ordered, that inquiry be made of Superintendent Hammond what discipline, if any, had been administered to the men stated in the report to be at fault. WILLIAM C. HUDSON,

The Board adjourned.

Secretary.

OCTOBER 13, 1885.

nell.

The Board met pursuant to rule. Present-Commissioners Kernan, Rogers and O'Don The minutes were read and approved.

The Secretary submitted the unfinished business under the rule, viz. :

Letters of the Fall Brook Coal Company and the Corning Glass Works, relative to the complaint of the latter against the former. Ordered, that the letter of the Fall Brook Coal Company lay over one week, and that the following communication be sent the Corning Glass Works:

"Enclosed herewith you will find a copy of a communication from the Fall Brook Company. The Board understands that the Fall Brook Company claim that five dollars is a

reasonable charge for switching cars and will make such charge hereafter to all alike. The reasonableness of this charge has not been a question presented in this case and has not therefore been investigated by the Board."

Letter of the trustee of the bondholders of the Whitestone and Westchester Railroad Company. Ordered usual course.

Letter of J. E. Merrill, treasurer of Troy and Boston Railroad Company, relative to delinquent quarterly reports.

Commissioner Rogers offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Troy and Boston Railroad Company have failed to furnish quarterly reports to this Board for the quarters ending December 31, 1884; March 31, 1885, and June 30, 1885, notwithstanding repeated requests so to do; that for December 31st, having been obtained by the Attorney-General,

Resolved, That the Attorney-General be requested to cause the president of said Troy and Boston Railroad Company to be indicted for misdemeanor under section 7 of chapter 353, Laws of 1882, unless said reports shall be received on or before October 14, 1885. Carried.

Letter of J. D. Layng, West Shore Railroad Company, relative to the electric signal at Bethlehem. Ordered, that the letter be filed and that the Secretary write the road for a detailed statement, showing the condition in which the signal was found, the part or parts that had failed, the cause of failure, repairs made and length of time it was in operation before failure, with a view of informing the Board as to the practicability of electric apparatus. Further, whether in the judgment of the authorities of the road, the apparatus had been tampered with.

Letter of J. F. Maynard, Utica and Black River Railroad Company, relative to the complaint of Nelson Burdick. On motion of Commissioner Rogers, the hearing in this case was set down for October 28th, 10 A. M., at the Woodruff flouse, Watertown, and it was ordered that the Utica and Black River Railroad Company and Nelson Burdick be notified that the Board will also inspect the premises and hear any objections the company may offer as to the practicability of the switches and side tracks proposed by the complainant, the hearing being designed to cover all questions in the case.

Letter of Mr. I. G. Young, Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, relative to the complaint of Mr. U. G. Paris.

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Mr. Young was heard in defense of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Ordered, that the Board have a hearing at Sandy Hill, at 11 o'clock on October 20, 1885, and that the Secretary notify Messrs. U. G. Paris, H. G. Young and the village authorities.

Letter of C. W. Hutchinson, president Utica and Mohawk Railroad Company, requesting an extension of time in which to answer complaint. Granted, and time extended to October 26th.

Letter of J. J. Van Horne, Utica and Black River Railroad Company, relative to the complaint of Mr. C. L. Merriam. Ordered, case closed.

Letter of Mr. J. M. Heald, Long Island Railroad Company, relative to manure statistics, laid over from last meeting. Ordered, laid over one week longer. Letter of Mr. C. M. Depew, relative to Herkimer station. The Board adjourned until Monday, October 19th, at 5 P. M.

Ordered laid over one week.

WILLIAM C. HUDSON,

Secretary.

OCTOBER 19, 1885.

The Board met at 4:30 P. M., pursuant to adjournment. All present.
The reading of the minutes of last meeting were dispensed with.

The Secretary laid before the Board the unfinished business, as follows:

Letter of Mr. II. P. Sinclaire, secretary of the Corning Glass Works, notifying Board that the Fall Brook Coal Company had raised the price for switching cars loaded with coal from $2 to $5. Laid over.

Letter of Myron W. Van Auken, corporation counsel city of Utica, in matter of city of Utica v. Utica and Mohawk Railroad Company. Ordered, that letter be filed with papers in the case.

Letter of James F. Mann, attorney for petitioners in matter of City of Utica v. Utica and Mohawk Railroad Company. Ordered, that letter be filed with papers in the case. Letter of J. R. Maxwell, Long Island Railroad Company, with accompanying letter of Chas. M. Heald and statement showing the extent of the manure business on the Long Island railroad in tubs, monthly, during the year preceding September 30, 1884, and for the nine months ending June 30, 1885. Ordered, that copy be sent complainant.

NEW BUSINESS,

Circular, statement showing the number of passengers carried by all the elevated railway lines of New York city, and gross receipts of same, from the first opening of the roads up to October 1, 1885. Laid over.

Circular of Keeler Foot Guard, showing diagram of same. ment papers.

Ordered filed with improve

By Commissioner Rogers: Resolved, That the Attorney-General be requested to appear in behalf of Commissioner Rogers in Part Four of the Superior Court of the city of New York, at 11 A. M., on Friday, October 23, in the case of Bowles v. The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh Railroad Company, to present the question of his exemption as a matter of privilege from testifying in private suits for damages against railroad corporations, as to facts which have been disclosed to him in the course of an official investigation. Adopted.

Ordered, that the Secretary transmit to the Attorney-General a certified copy of the resolution as adopted this day. The Board adjourned. WILLIAM C. HUDSON,

Secretary.

OCTOBER 27, 1885.

The Board met pursuant to rule. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary submitted the unfinished business, under the rule, as follows:

Application of the Broadway Railroad Company of Brooklyn for an increase of capital stock. Referred to Commissioner Kernan.

In the matter of the Corning Glass Works' complaint. Ordered, that the letter of the Corning Glass Works be received as a new complaint, and take the usual course.

In the matter of the village of Whitestone. Ordered case closed.

The informal answer of the Utica and Mohawk Railroad Company. Ordered filed, and that a hearing be set down at Utica, at Baggs' Hotel, 12 M., November 13, 1885, and matter be referred to Commissioner Rogers.

In the matter of Nelson Burdick against The Utica and Black River Railroad Company, hearing postponed until the 18th of November.

Commissioner Rogers offered the following:

Resolved, That this Board has heard with great regret of the death of W. J. MacDonald, who for more than two years has been a valuable and efficient clerk in this office, and that the Board herewith tender to his bereaved family, its sympathy. Adopted. Ordered, that the Secretary approve the bill of W. J. MacDonald, for the month of October.

Commissioner Kernan moved that when the Board adjourn, it adjourn until Wednesday, November 11, at 10 A. M. Adopted.

Commissioner Rogers called up the matter of the John D. Wing complaint against the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut Railroad Company. Ordered that the Secretary write the usual letter as to compliance with the decision of the Board.

Commissioners Kernan and Rogers submitted a report in the matter of the Board of Health of Mechanicville against The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Adopted and ordered issued.

Commissioner Rogers called up the matter of the removal of the thermometers from the cars of the New York Central Sleeping Car Company, and the failure of the roads to comply with the recommendations of the Board in that matter. Referred to Commissioner Rogers.

The Board then adjourned.

WILLIAM C. HUDSON,

Secretary.

NOVEMBER 10, 1885.

All present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary submitted a report on the Business of the office. Referred to Commissioner Kernan.

Answer of Fall Brook Coal Company to complaint of Corning Glass Works. Ordered usual course.

Communication of the Board of Trade and Transportation in answer to one of the Board of June 9, 1885. Ordered filed.

Communication of A. Shoelkoff received. The Secretary was directed to write to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, and inquire why the gates erected at Niagara Falls were not so erected as to inclose all of the tracks, and also whether the high board fence between the depot and the street has been replaced by a picket fence, as agreed at the time of the inspection.

Communication from Board of Health at Mechanicville. Ordered held open until Mr. Smith is heard from.

Petition of citizens of Utica in regard to the Schuyler street crossing. Ordered complaint sent to Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, with request to answer whether or not the facts as alleged exist.

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