Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-01-26
LIFE SAVED BY GATES
Lack of Protection at Railroad
Crossings in Business Sec
ton of the City.
PUBLIC WELFARE IS NEGLECTED
Companies Should be Obliged to
Meet Requirements-Ta
of the Track.

Hundreds of lives are daily imper
lied in Rock Island, and needlessly so
by reason of the lack CT proper pro
lection at the streets intersected by
the railroad tracks.
1t has often been remarked upor
by those observant of the conditions
that it is wonder there are not more
fatalities. Trains whizz over the
crossings, and while the bell il
kept ringing, in the confusion the
pedestrian or the driver frequent.
ly is needless of the warning aud
comes in dangerous proximity to the
car wheels.
Look the country over and it will
be difficult to find another city of the
size. and accommodating as many
railroads as Rock Island, with such
scant precautions against crossing
accidents. Both Davenport and Mo
line have gates at the more
largely travelled thorougbfares. and
such towns as Gales burg, Geneseo
and Sheffield are afforded equal pro-
lection.
The council of this city some years
ago passed an ordinance ordering the
railroads to Install gates at the cross
ings in the business section. The
ordinance met with obeyance in one
instance. and that is all. gates being
put in at Twenty-fourth street, but
these were abolished. of course, when
the viaduct was constructed.
Where Protection is Most Needed.
There should be gates at least at
Twentieth. because of the increased
travel occasioned by the location of
the Burlington new depot at that
point; at Eighteenth street, because
Of the constant flow of people to and
from the ferry landing during the
steamboat season, and at Sew
enteenth street, because of the
location of the Tri-City routes
passenger station at the foot of
that street. And there are more
thoroughfares that should be given
similar protection. The ones re-
ferred to, however. ought to be given
immediate attention. and it is the
duty of the council. in the Interest of
public safety, to see that they receive
il at the hands of the railroad COR
porations..
Enough lives are sacrificed on the
tracks-many of them, of course.
through the negligence of the victims
leaving open such death
traps as the streets leading north
from the business section most GER
tainly will ultimately prove in these
days of increased travel and hustle
and hustle. Let US have the gates.
Rock Island Ratings.
Brakeman Harper and Fireman
Charles Whalley are new names
chalked up on the boards.
Conductor G. + Sexton has reported
after two weeks off.
Conductors r Kinds and o. j.
Brien left the first of the week for a
trip to Missouri.
Conductor George Mckinley has re-
ported after short illness.
Half a dozen new way cars have
recently been put on the Illinois di-
vision.
Day Caller Sam Kofer is laid up
from the results of fall recently sus-
tanned.
Roundhouse Foreman j. w. Walker
has been called to Canada by the
critical illness of his father. and G D.
Arnold is acting foreman in his place.
Engineer Tom Dunn is in Colorado
on visit.
Engineer Ed Hinkley, who was
called here from Valley junction by
the sickness of his child, has returned
to his duties.
Engine 915 is just out of the shops
after an overhauJiDg.
Fireman Huot has reported after a
month off.
Fireman Beveridge is sick and has
gone home to Cable.
Day Caller Oscar Peterson is recov-
sring from an attack of typhoid fever.
Fireman Reed has been assigned
temporarily to a passenger run on the
Iowa division.
Among those laying off from illness
Dr. other cause are Conductors McMil-
in, Ed Black and j. A Wright;
Brakemen Zeis, +. Curtis and j. Gest-
Engineers Ed Heffernan
Ind Dan Maroney and Brakeman
Leighton.
Miscellaneous Mention.
l.. w. Ayers, machinist at the Q. |
is sick, and his place is |
being filled by Z. Angles.
Fireman George Steelman, of the O.,
s sick.
Fireman Muhleman is on the Bur-
ington switch engine at East Moline
n place of James Montgomery. who is
aging off.
Fireman j. W.>Lucas. of the Peoria. |
las resigned and accepted position
IN the Rock Island road.
Notice.
All druggists are authorized by the
n. &, N r,.-or-u