The times., 1899-07-16
A BAD GRADE CROSSING
Lives in Constant Danger at Car
roll Avenue, TakOma.
The Gates Sometimes Lowered, But
More Often They Are MotionIess-
Their Care Part of an Overwork-
ed Station Agents Duty-The ID. sc
o. Company Notified TO Better II.

Henry s. knight, an attorney, has called
the attention of the District Commissioners
to serious menace to life and limb eI-
isting at Takoma Park by reason Of failure
on the part of the railroad company to
observe proper precautions in guarding
the railroad crossing at Carroll Avenue.
As an illustration of the urgent need
for the application of some remedy, the
correspondent related to the Commits
sioners the circumstances of the narrow
escape which his wife had while crossing
the railroad tracks lately. The track TO
the north OF the west approach is OBJ
scured by a drug store. Moreover. there
are gates at the place which have been
used by the public as an indication of
the condition of the track. But they do
not indicate. On the occasion in question
the train was approaching at a rapid Tate
OF speed, but the crossing gates were not
lowered. Just as the woman, who was
on wheel, arrived at the track. the station
agent shouted a warning. She dismounted
just in time to prevent being struck by
a passing train.
"Such occurrences are made possible
wrote the lawyer. by the niggardly policy
of the railroad in not employing a suitable
number of operatives. The warning ticker
in the station was out of order so that the
agent who has to serve as telegraph opera
tor, ticket seller, express agent, mail car
rier, receiver and dispatcher of baggage,
and who was busy at the time, did not
know of the approach of the special until
he heard the rumble of its approach, when
he rushed out, but too late 10 lower the
gates. No blame can attach to the agent,
who Is universally known for his pains
taking care and solicitude for the public
He, of course, does not blame the COM
pany He only apologies and explains
Anyone can see that the conditions at this
place necessarily convict the railroad Of
neglect. The blame lies in the stinginess
of the corporation, which apparently does
not weigh the lives Of the people as against
the wages of a gateman.
1T is the duty of the railroad to provide,
and the right OF the people to insist on,
gateman TO manage the gates The
ticker in the Office is unquestionably not
infallible, nor yet sufficient even when in
working order, for the agents duties
compel him to attend upon local trains
at distant parts OF both platforms, TO re-
ceive the mail pouches, TO receive and
despatch trunks, and to attend TO other
duties.
During the school season there are sew
eral hundred persons crossing AT this place
twice day. Is it not reasonable TO re-
quire the railroad company to protect the
crossings? In some communities, where
the authorities are sustained by proper leg
islatiOn. grade crossings are not suffered %
exist. In our community it is believed -
be within the power Of the Commissioner
to prescribe what is proper protection
against the dangers Of such evils
The police investigated the complaint
Acting Sergeant Daniel Slattery presente'.
a written report in which he says the du
ties of the station agent at Ta6oma begin
at in the morning and end at 1880 o'cloc,
at night. In addition to his other duties
it appears from the sergeants report that
the railroad company requires the agent
to guard the Carroll Avenue crossing. He
lowers the gates on the approach Of all
trains between the hours Of 6 in the morn
ing and 6 in the evening. at which hour
he is relieved OF all responsibility at the
railroad crossing by gateman, who Is on
duty from in the evening until midnight
The sergeant said that special attention
had been paid to the crossing and the
operation of the gates. by policemen who
reported that there had been at various
times failures TO lower the gates.
In acting upon the matter the Commits
sioners agreed with Major Sylvester IN
thinking that the railroad company does
not furnish the protection which should
be offered the public. They have laid he
facts in the case before George E. Ham
ilton. Attorney for the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company with the request that
proper protection be afforded.