Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-09-13
THEY DISAGREE.

The Council Committee and the Represen-
tatires of the Manitoba and the St. Louis
Roads Meet to Discuss Street Crossings
The Railroad officials Refuse Doing Any
thing tor the Safety of Human Life
Plain Talking by Alderman Glenn.
A committee of the city council COM
posed of Aldermen Glenn, Clark, CLEVELAND
and Hangar, met yesterday morning in
the city hall to confer with representa-
tives of both the Manitoba and the Min
neapolis & st. Louis railroads regarding
the railroad crossings on Washington av-
enue north and on Fifth street.
Vice President Truesdale represented
the st. Louis, and Mr.. Marvel the Manito-
ba. The chairman, Aid. Haugan, explained
the object of the meeting and submitted
diagrams of the railroad crossings on the
streets aforesaid.
MANAGER MANyEL's POSITION.
Manager Marvel said the Manitoba was
so busy in attending to other improve
ments, such as the viaduct and the union
depot, and had already made the required
Improvements on Second street at an ex-
penditure of several thousand dollars on
the bridge there, that the corporation
hoped that the Washington avenue and
Fifth street crossings would be let stand
in their present condition.
NONRESIDENT TRUEsDALE SPEAKS.
Vice-President Truesdale said his road
was largely interested in the Manitoba
improvements, and did not feel disposed
to make any other Improvements at
present than those made by the other
road.
Alderman Waite, of the committee on
streets, stated that the Second street bridge
had been willingly built by the roads, but
it was found inadequate for the accom-
mediation of travel in that part of the city
and further improvements were absolutely
necessary.
Anthony Kelly was present and said the
large population above Washington avenue
had to cross the tracks on that avenue or
else go up to the Holden street or Wash
ington averue bridges, for the reason that
the crossings on Fourth and Fifth streets
were considered as yard room rather than
public thoroughfares. There was no
safety assured to any person in crossing
the tracks on these two streets, and in nine
cases out of ten the crossings were
obstructed by the cars.
Mr.. Marvel replied that there were
always moving trains at those points, but
very seldom any standing cars, and with
exercising a little patience the public
would find but little delay in making a
crossing.
Aid. Glenn replied to the manager by
saying that when Mr.. Hill was granted
right of way he promised when the council
demanded the streets to be bridged that
the work would be performed, and now is
the time to do it. No man would be safe
in driving with his family over one of the
crossings named, and the company
are doing such big business
that they have no time
left to attend to the safety of foot passen-
sengers and teams. Mr.. Truesdale said he
had never noticed any delay to travel e1
cept occasionally on Third street whom q
passenger train happened to be standing,
nor had he heard single complaint. The
company had lately put in good plank
crossing and had stationed there an ex
perienced fagman and since he has been
vice president ne accident had ever oc-
Cured at that point.
Mr.. Marvel thought that before other
streets were considered it should be deter
mined what the expense would be to the
roads in making improvements on Wash
ington avenue. Aid. Glenn thought the
city had done enough to accommodate the
railroads and now these corporations were
unwilling to afford protection to the peo-
pie. After all we have done for them they
say they are not ready to do anything yet.
Mr.. Truesdale said the st. Louis road
is spending a great deal of money in this
city and the erection of bridge at Fourth
street and tunneling the Fifth street
crossing would cut off their freight houses
and result in great damage and injustice
to his company.
Mr.. Marvel suggests that the city en-
gineer meet the engineer of the railroads
on Saturday, when Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Teas
dale would be present. The suggestion
was adopted and the meeting then ad-
tourned.