Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-23
MET THE COMMISSIONERS. Small Delegation Were in Waiting for
 Them Yesterday.

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 As forewarned in letter to City Attorney Kellogg, the railroad commis- sioners presented an appearance in the Brooklyn district yesterday afternoon and inspected the conditions surround ing the railroad crossing at the Porter street crossing. They arrived at the crossing about 3:45 and came by the Meriden branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad in spe- cial car, which was fitted up in royal magni1cence. Owing to the uncertain ty as to whether the commissioners would appear yesterday, inasmuch as they had been here the day before, only . small delegation was on hand to rneet them. Among those present were Aldermen Blakes- lee and NahAney, Rev Father Sullivan, John Henderson and Joseph Cronarl.
 After Commissioners Fyler, the well known 2. 0. D. leader, and Seymour had left the car and friendly greetings had been echanged, Aldermen Blakes- lee and Mahaney called the attention of the commissioners to the fact that the bell which rings at the approach Of train was never in proper trim. Several times from 3:3O to yesterday afternoon the bell didn't ring properly. Once the bell had commenced to ring after a freight train heading south was about 100 yards past the switch. Tn another instance, when the special, train was heading north, the same thing occurred. The railroad com missioners' attention was called to this, and Commissioner Seymour said that he noticed it and thought it. strange On several other occasions while the commissioners were there the bell failed to work properly. It was good evidence and perhaps it had almost as much effect as the reasons which those present gave why gates should be placed at the crossing. The commissioners attention was called to the several schools in the vicinity and the number of children who had to pass the crossing on their way to and from the schools. At this point Commissioner Fyler remarked that gates would be no protection for chil- dren, inasmuch as the young Ameri- cans court danger and would run un- derneath the gates. One or two pres ent took exception to this remark. To a question whether the road had been built before the street, Alderman Ma nancy remarked that Porter street was the second oldest street in Brooklyn and had been laid out before the road He also said that the travel on the road was considerable. During the few minutes the commissioners were at the crossing i've teams passed by, and each driver was very careful to look up and down the track before he crossed
 Commissioner Fyler said it was inn possible to grant all the petitions that have been sent in from towns through, out the state for the abolishing of grade crossings and the granting Sof gates. He thought the railroads were acting reasonably; that gates were being granted at reasonable rates There are many grade crossings throughout the state without gates, fagmen or even bells. In Torring lie said, there were about six grade crossings and only one is protected by gates. He continued somewhat as follows 1t is the policy of the state to do away with grade crossings. The cost of this is general 1y borne by the railroad and the town at the following terms. The former pays 75 per cent and the latter 25 per cent Whenever town had petitioned for the abolishment Of grade cross ing 1t had been abolished.
 After few remarks and a few more reasons why the crossing should be protected the commissioners departed for the Washington avenue crossing, where they boarded their special car. Alderman Mahaney's parting remark was: Grant us the gates and we won't l forget you