Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-15
The Railroad Companies, Proposition.

Mr.. Editor There seems to be n strange
misapprehension of the effect of the proposition
which has been made by the various railroad
companies to the city. Allow me to state the
same clearly if possible. 1t reads as follows;
at is proposed to build union passenger de-
pot at Washington square for all the companies;
Leave the freight stations and the passenger
station at Lincoln square substantially as they
are;
Remove the passenger station from Foster
street as soon as the union depot is completed
The Norwich and Worcester railroad company
to do their switching and making up trains
south of Park street;
The through freight only to pass across the
common;
The through trains not to stop between and in
Guiding Lincoln square and Madison street, upon
public streets, or the common, unless in case OF
accident; and no objection will be made to the
passage of an act by the legislature imposing
suitable penalties"
This proposition insures to the city a union
passenger depot of style and accommodations
which will be satisfactory to all, and there will
be no excuse for retaining buildings which are
not so far as might be from being nuisances. If
a union passenger depot could be constructed on
Foster street, it would undoubtedly be very de-
srable to many parties, but it is out of the ques
ton. 1t never can be done. The next ques-
| tions are, shall there be union passenger de
| pot, and if so, where shall it be? The answers
to these questions so readily suggest themselves
that there is no occasion to take the space to
write them.
The proposition guarantees that there shall be
no switching or making up trains between south
of Park street and north OF Lincoln square.
AT present, according to the statements of
Mr. Ball, fifty-eight trains day cross Front
street, number OF which are liable to stop for
longer or shorter time across the street. The
arrangement proposed reduces the number of
trains crossing Front street and the common
from ffty-eight to not exceeding four each way,
and generally less number in day, neither of
which is allowed to stop on the common or upon
any street extending from and including Park
street and Lincoln-square.
If any one will reflect for one moment, he will
see what an immense gain this will be to the
city. The cases are exceedingly rarej when any
person has been injured by a single train moe
ing in one direction, with no confusion growing
out of switching or making up trains. Whether
the proposition is all that the city requires may
be another question, but if only the through
business had been done by moving trains not
exceeding four trains day each way, do not
believe that any serious inconvenience would
ever arise, or any serious complaint be made in
reference to crossing the common.
When we reflect upon the burden which any
other arrangement will throw upon the Norwich
road particularly, the very large expense
which must be involved in the arrangement pro-
posed, and the exorbitant expense of the plan
which is advocated by some of our people, is it
not time to inquire whether or not the compa
mes have made reasonable proposition
The mischief does not result from four freight
trains in motion, but from fifty-eight trains
backing and filing and switching, to the danger
and annoyance Of the citizens The growth and
prosperity of the city are too nearly identified
with the prosperity of the railroad companies to
make contest desirable to either party, and
these suggestions are made to aid, if possible,
correct understanding of what the railroad COM
panies have proposed, and what, l presume,
they are ready to carry into effect without un-
reasonable delay.