The age-herald., 1901-01-11

Arthur Hust and oths :" "'iN1 the subiact of Frs were injured was ,it,. ,.1'ts.s trsation throughout the - p-i1ay and it was the concensus of opinion that some action should be taken to protect the lives of people at these dangerous crossings where thousands are compelled to pass daily. Various measures were suggested to the best means to secure the proper protection, and it is probable that the City Council will act promptly at it's next meeting
 The fact that there was no watchman at the crossing, which is one of the most dangerous in the city, was generally com mented upon, and there is little doubt that this crossing in particular will receive prompt attention
 MT. Hust, who was the most seriously in- jured in the wreck, was removed from St. Vincent's Hospital to his home in West End yesterday. It was found that his in- Juries were not quite as serious as was at hrst thought Several small bones in his left foot were broken and the member badly mashed, which will lay him up for some days
 II. H. Mayberry, who suffered a broken rib, and David Roberts, who had his ankle badly sprained were restily easy last night, and will soon be out.
 There were several other persons slightly injured in the accident, but in most cases they were slight bruises or cuts.
 Some Timely Views.
 Many prominent citizens and officials have expressed themselves plainly on the question of abalting the danger, the fol- lowing interviews being gathered yester- day by Age-Herald reporters:
 Mayor Drennen: T am in favor of giving full protection to the people of this city and will do everything possible to bring it he "a n 1t the crossings and nothing should be left undone to minimize the danger"
 City Attorney Robert J. Lowe: T believe the question is one that is deserving of the earnest consideration of the authorities, with the view of minimizing the danger at crossings. There should not be impulsive action nor should drasticmeasures be made as conditions differ at different places. The ultimate remedy is to either raise or lower the tracks above or below the street cross ings.'
 Col. J. J. Altman, alderman . from the Sixth Ward: II am in favor of anything to protect the lives of citizens The ques- 'tion is one that should be considered full and fairly decided. 1 believe that watch men at the crossings is the best solution"
 Walker Percy: "I believe all reasonab ble precautions for the public safety should be taken to prevent accidents. In most cities the railroads are required to provide gates, although the tendency Is to abolish grade crossings. In some of the New En- gland cities along the line of the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad such as Hartford and other Connecticut towns. this railroad company was required by act of the Legislature to elevate their tracks, so as to pass over the streets. 1 think the act required them to pay all or nearly all of the expense. They fought 1t in the courts, but the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the act on tine ground that it was a police regulation"
 w. c. Garrett, clerk of the Chancery Court: q think grade crossings are very dangerous, and everything possible ought to be done to make them safe. If they can not be abolished, I think that automatic gates ought to be put in at once"
 Solicitor Charles w. Ferguson: Probably the best way to abolish grade crossings is 10 have one or two prosecutions for murder. Where people are killed in an act greatly dangerous to the lives of others, the stat utes of Alabama say that the person com- hitting the act is liable to prosecution for murder or mansaughter, and where parties are injured in that way, it being an unlawful act, they are liable for prosecu- ton for an assault and battery If the act is done with a reckless disregard of human life"
 Robert Jemison, President of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company-In every city where trunk lines cross the streets they have gates for the protection of persons passing along the streets. If gates were put in here they would cause frequent delays in our cars, but we should have them for the protec- tion of human life.
 Col. A. M. Shook, President of the Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power Com pany-In every well-regulated city of the size of Birmingham gates are required where the railroad tracks cross the streets. This is right and necessary. for the protec- tion of the people.
 J. L. Welch, superintendent of the Lou isvile and Nashville Railroad: "It would be impracticable to maintain gates at Fourteenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-fourth streets on account of the great number of railroad tracks that cross these streets. My experience has been that traffic was badly blocked by gates at oross- ings where there we're so many tracks. The record at Twentieth street, I think, Is evi-