The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-01
COMMISSION HAD A NARROW ESCAPE

What the city council failed to do on the
grade crossing problem, that is to get
the matter before the legislature be-
fore the time limit for receiving new
business had expired, was all but done
yesterday by party representing the
citizens who signed tn, petition for de-
laying action on the report of the grade
crossing commission.
A meeting was held yesterday morn
ing in the office of Blackmer e. Vaughan
between the representatives of the pc
titioners and e. III. Vaughan who had
their case before the city council. They
were determined to head off any de-
signs the railroad companies may have
in mind to secure the confirmation Of
the Shepard plans and the appointment
OF commission to carry them out.
The plan was to petition the legisla-
ture to prevent the change of grade in
any street without the consent of the
city council, bill which is similar to a
DILL presented to the legislature several
years ago and known as the Northamp-
ton bin, because it related to a similar
problem in that city.
After discussing the proposed bill,
Lawyer vaughan explained that ii
would not come with good grace on the
part OF the city inasmuch as the matter
fs yet technically in the hands of the
superior court, the recommendations of
us commission never being confirmed.
For that reason the matter was allowed
to drop.
1t was close call though as the cit
lzens were determined to head off any
attempt OF the Boston & Albany to foIst
the Shepard plan on the city.
The majority portion of the city coun-
eli who favor the report of the grade
crossing commission and was Geter-
mined early Monday evening that moth
ing should halt It's adoption. Is NOT vet
aware of what a narrow escape II had
from utter route. The petitioners had a
TRICK up their sleeve which would NOT
only nave given them full hearing in
regard to the feasibility of the depressed
tracks plan but would have made hard
shedding for the report of the commits
SION and the petition of the city before
the legislature.
The petitioners had another petition
ror the legislature. Had Mayor Rufus
Is: Dodge, Jr., acting under Instructions
OF the city council, petitioned the legis-
nature yesterday on the grade crossing
question, another petition signed nv
hundreds Of citizens OF Worcester would
nave gone in also.
That petition rested snugly in the
pocket OF Lawyer Vaughan, while he
was addressing the joint convention
MONDAY evening, for after the city
council had adopted the order which
gives consideration of the depressed
system an equal chance, LAWYER
vaughan determined not to present the
petition
The petition was gotten up by those
whose names were signed to the nett
ton which asked for the hearing he
fore the city council. 1t was that no
change OF the grade Of any street in
Worcester be permitted without con-
sent OF the city council, and more than
that. 1t asked that the governor and
his council appoint commission of
five to consist Of two engineers. two
business men and lawyer to abolish
the grade crossings in Worcester The
petition and bill which would accom-
pany 1t requested that the commission
report to the governor as early as De-
tober next
While the majority party was consid-
ering whether IL would consent to ac-
ceptance of the compromise order OF
Alderman Thomas j. Barrett, the OBJ
Jectors and petitioners were having 8
caucus in room go While Senator
Charles G. Washburn was telling the
members Of the city council that any
attempt to appear before the legisla-
ture except as a unit would be suicidal
Representative William /. Mclaughlin
was telling the DIRECTORS that he would
present the bill for them.
When the city council decided 20 ac-
cept the compromise order and give the
minority the delay It sought. the petit
TONERS decided not to present the petit
tion. But yesterday morning they
thought It would be Il grand good thing
for the city to head off the railroad re-
gardless of the final decision Of the city
council.
Across the railroad tracks on the
east side Of the city the fat
ted calf was killed yesterday.
There was great rejoicing, for they re-