St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-20
ARMORED CRUISER BROOKLYN.
GRADE CROSSINGS.

'>5tDI SA>OooIN0os
Report Of the Railroad Commission ON the
Proposed Adjustment Of such Crossings in
st. Johnsbury.
ST. ALBANs, W., April S, 1898.
In the matter of the proposed abolish
ment OF grade crossings on the Boston &
Maine railroad in the village of St. Johns
bury.
This case arose upon the motion of the
board of railroad commissioners, acting
upon authority of section 3S42 of the
Vermont Statutes, and after due notice to
all the parties interested a hearing was
held at st. Johnsbury on the 21st day of
January, 1897. After an examination of
the premises and preliminary discussion
of the matter, the hearing was continued
until the 30th day of April, 1897.
Pursuant to the continuance above
mentioned, the board met at St. Johns
bury on the 30th day of April. 1897, and
again inspected the location of the cross
ings and heard evidence relative to the
matter. There were present Commits
sioners Merrill, Stanton and Ken6eld and
the clerk of the board. The town OF St.
st. Johnsbury was represented by George
Ranney, L. B. Hartshorn and Ellery Pot
ter, selectmen, and Alexander Dunnett,
counsel. The Boston & Maine railroad
was represented by H. E. Folsom, di-
vision superintendent, and John Young
and Harry Blodgett, counsel. The vii.
lage OF st. Johnsbury was represented by
its trustees Henry M. Cheney, E. F.
Griswold and w. S. Boynton. A. H.
Mcleod was present, representing him.
self as an owner of adjoining land, and
Griswold and Mackinnon, also adjoining
land owners, were represented by E. F.
Griswold.
From the testimony of numerous wit
nesses introduced before the board and
after careful examination Of the prem
ises the board concludes that to construct
an under-pass at any point between the
Paddock village crossings and the cross
ing near McLcods mill, and thus divert
the travel from its present long estab-
lished course, is impracticable. The prox-
unity of the river to any point between
these crossings and the depth of the
grade OF the underpass below the ada
cent surface of the ground would be such
as to effectually prohibit the construc-
ton OF such pass. It is also impracti-
cable to materially raise the grade of the
railroad to obviate these difficulties.
The necessity of some safeguard at both
these points is very clear and the board
has sought diligently for feasible way
of accomplishing this result. To erect
an over.pass at the Mcleod crossings
and leave the crossings at the Paddock
village bridge without other protection
than they now have would be to entail
upon the railroad and the municipality a
large expense without corresponding
benefits, as only portion OF the danger
Gus conditions would be eliminated from
the situation. 1t is accordingly deemed
advisable to seek other means OF protec-
ton from the constant danger at these
two points. After an extended inquiry
upon the subject, the conclusion has been
reached that electric signals offer a rea-
sonably certain protection to the travel
ing public at dangerous grade crossings.
Where the signals are located near sta
tion upon the road they can be carefully
watched and easily kept in working
order both day and night. These condi-
lions prevail in marked degree at St.
Johnsbury and the board is OF the opin-
ion that such signals will materially re-
duce the risks of accident at these two
dangerous points.
The board therefore orders that the
Boston & Maine railroad erect at both
the Mcleod crossings and at the Pad
docks village bridge crossings an electric
signal with appliances that will auto
matically ring bell at both these cross
ings upon the approach of a train from
either direction, and to locate said signal
and ball upon standard conveniently
near and in full view of a traveller at
tempting to make said crossings. The
Boston & Maine to erect said signals
and maintain them in good and sufficient
order at its own expense and have them
in operation on or before the first day of
June, 1898.
FED S. STANTON, | Railroad
EpANE KENEIEr n commissioners