Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04
4 Case fer Prompt Action.

Last week n member of the Northeast
WaShir gton Citizens Association wrote to
the Commissioners calling their attention
to the fact that two important grade
crossings of the r. and o. road on Florida
avenue northeast are left unprotected each
day from y pm. to q am. No action was
taken or this matter so far as is known.
last night carriage containing two per
sons was run into by an incoming train at
of these crossings and the horse was
killed. while the people had very narrow
escape from instant death. Thus only by
a slight margin the community was
spared the horror of repetition of the re-
cent accident at Deanewood. which caused
the death of two well-known persons.
1t seems incredible that the railroad COM
pany would dare to maintain such death
traps with SO Inadequate a guard and that
the authorities should permit them to COLI
tinue in this course without interruption.
The existing regulation on the subject is
too plain and explicit to permit of any
misunderstanding or evasion. 1t reads:
The safety gates at every railroad cross
ing shall be closed during the passage of
any train. locomotive or car. and shall be
opened Immediately after the passage of
the same
Thus d violation of the regulation oc-
one OF these two crossings while the gates
remain upright. The regulation provides
ii penalty of from five TO forty dollars for
each OffrnsS. Such fine is assessable for
the passage of each train between the
hours of . at night and q in the morning.
Should the maximum penalty be enforced
in case of both crossings while the sched-
ule calls as now Tor the passage of sixteen
trains on the two branches of the road, the
Gaily accumulation of fines would amount
TO S640. while the minimum would be $50.
The collection of such penalties would
soon bring the railroad to terms. The hir-
ing of an extra gateman at each of these
crossings would involve the expenditure of
not more than 81 day. The economy OF
compliance with the law, If the latter were
enforced by the authorities. is apparent.
If, however. the Commissioners feel in
disposed to assert their authority in the
matter 50 to compel the engagement OF
the two extra men whose services are
needed, the suggestion is in order that the
railroad company transpose their schedule
Of satemen's hours. so as to have the
crossings protected only during the night.
As far as the citizens are concerned it would
be much safer TO maintain a useful bar
rier after Ozark than during the hours of
dence that the company undertakes to
warn persons of the approach of trains
The fact that the gates are stationary is
II Itself testimony. so lar as the public is
Concerned. that there is no danger The
upright barrier Is in short a signal of
safety The citizens are not supposed to
know tina, the regulations at these particu-
Jar crossings, where the need of gatemen
- all hours is desperate. are habitually
violated How can any discrimination be
made in the public mind between the cross
ings at III street and those at Florida ave
nde?
The duty of the Commissioners is clear
steps should be taken at once for the en-
iorcenent OF the rules 1t is fortunate
that they are now reminded of the necess,i-
ties of the case by an accident so insignia
cant in its results as that of last night. II
required Il shocking tragedy TO call atten-
ZION To the fla grant violation of the. rules
OF safety at the Deanewood crossing.
similar occurrence has been possible at the
fl'rlda avenue crossings on any day or
heht during many months past There
seems 10 be no record of how long this
condition has been allowed to exist. There
mas nee1 neglect of duty somewhere on
the part OF the police authorities else thu
open defiance of the regulations wou,d
nave been detected and reported long ago
Ihere Is promising field for inouirv in
this matter