Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08
BRIDGES TO BE ERECTED.

The P.,V. & C.wTn Build Two on the South
slae-Chief BigelOw Interceded With
superintendent Watt
After long and vigorous kick with miles
of petitions from the citizens, the Southside
seems to be in worry fair way to get some
protection at the railroad crossings on that
side Of the river. The citizens of the TWen-
ty-fourth and TWenty-seventh wards met
last night and heard the report Of the COM
mittee appointed to call upon the city
authorities to see what could be
done, and the reports were most
favorable. William Walls presided and
about 100 citizens were present including
Councilmen John Holmes, D. P. Evans,
Mark Donley and P. NJ. Carr.
Daniel A. Morgan, Chairman of the COM
mittee, stated that the committee had called
upon Chief Bigelow, of the Department Of
Public Works, and that the latter had man
ifested so much interest in the matter that
he did not consider it necessary to call upon
the railroad officials. He then read the fol-
lowing letter from Chief Bigelow:
MUNICIPAL HALL. 800
PTTTSBURG, December 2, 1883.
Daniel A. Morgan, Esq, Chairman, ETC.:
DEAR sIR,-According to my promise, I
waited on David Watt, ESQ.,, Superintendent Of
the Pittsburg. Virginia and Charleston Rail-
road, Thursday morning. / went over the en-
tire subject with him. and can report that he
VIII prepare plans for foot bridges at South
TWenty-seventh and Thirtieth streets, and viii
submit the same to the president Of the COM
pany. He has no hesitation In saying that he
believes the bridges will be erected within three
months. He will also place watchmen at South
Eighteenth, Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth
streets immediately
Very respectfully,
E. NJ. BIGELow,
Chief Of the Department of Public Works.
Mr.. Morgan proceeded to describe the
structures that are to be erected at the
points indicated in Chief Bigelow's letter.
They are both to be built of iron. Thecom-
pany will tear down the building standing
on their property above Twenty-seventh
street, and the bridge will be erected there,
with one flight Of steps leading toward
Twenty-seventh street and another toward
Twenty-eighth. The bridge at Thirtieth
street will extend all the way from Jane to
Sarah streets, almost on line with the rail-
road, and at either end will have steps lead
ing toward Twenty-ninth street on one side
and toward ThirtY-frst street on the other.
Both bridges will be made of iron, and will
be very convenient to the surrounding
anu CO SpCCloAlD W buC WOEh-
ing people and school children who are
compelled to cross the tracks 50 often.
The meeting last night was not as har-
monious as it might have been. A motion
to accept the report of the committee and to
approve their action created quite heated
discussion. Several citizens could not
understand why bridges were to be erected.
They contended that after the bridges were
up the railroad company would then occupy
the crossings to the detriment and inconven-
ience Of traffic. An objection was raised to
the bridges on the grounds that they would
be the cause of many broken limbs resulting
from falls. Mr.. Morgan stated that broken
limbs were better than crushed
bodies, and, as 102 deaths had
resulted from railroad accidents in
Allegheny county within five months, he
favored the bridges. Councilman Donley
thought the committee was to be compli-
mented for what they had done, and that it
would be foolish to undo what they had ac-
and to try to get something that
was out of the question. The motion was
then adopted.
The meeting then adjourned to meet atthe |
call of Chairman Morgan, and in the mean
time the committee will push matters to |
have the bridges erected at the earliest pos
sible period. Flagmen were located at |
South Eighteenth, Twenty-seventh and |
streets yesterday for the first time, |
and that, too, as the result Of the work of. |
the committee.