The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-04-18
MAIN STREET UNDERPAss.

The people are beginning TO study
the new depot question. That is as ii
should be. Both sides are beginning
to learn, too. that there is an honest
difference of opinion between them.
That also is as it should be. The
effort, upon the part of some OF the
depot advocates, to make it appear
that the Herald, and others who are
opposed to the proposition. are in
fiuenced by their hostility to the present
Board, has failed. Mr.. Smiser, in
his speech Monday night, said he was
sorry anyone should think he was so
narrow between the eyes. Mr.. Smiser
should remember, with some consola-
ton. that those who make such charges
are the narrow ones between the eyes,
and are more to be pitied than con-
demned for the lack of broader Wis
ion. There is no reason or occasion
for any personal feeling or acrimonius
discussion, and the individual who
forces it will win no friends for his
cause nor respect for himself. There
are times when bombastic, grandilo-
ouent appeals to the galleries do some
good, but this does not seem to be one
of them.
Public sentiment, we are glad to see
and to say, is shaping itself and study
ing the question from practical, bust
ness basis Let's study for moment
the proposed ''underpass' on South
Main street. We are all familiar with
the present dangers at that crossing.
Aside from any question of damages
to property. or other Inconvenience,
let's consider the danger from the un-
derpass.
Now, as you approach this crossing,
the gates warn you if there is any dan
ger II train is coming, the gates
are down; and you see it and know it
before you are close enough for your
horse to become frightened at the pass
ing train. When the gates are up,
you cross-w.th some fear and trem-
ping, perhaps, but no real danger.
A good and faithful man is in the
tower on the lookout to protect you.
But when you approach the railroad
track by way of the ''underpass, -
nobody is on the outlook for you, and
for some thirty yards perhaps on either
side Of the track you are SO deep in
the gro und that you cannot see up or
down the railroad for yourself, so you
must chance it. That crossing will
become part of the railroad yards.
Including the coming and going OF
trains, the coupling and uncoupling OF
cars, the switching of engines, ect.,
there will be an almost constant pa@s-
ing of engine or car Just as a horse
and vehicle is Immediately under or
in few feet of the track, an engine
comes screaming, laundering overhead.
What horse will stand it? Ninety nine
horses in a hundred will run away.
And they will be so crazed with fright
that they Will not half way run away,
but they will run to kill. If the
underpass was like the one in Morgan's
grove, where you can see the track ,
from either side quite distance, it I
would be altogether different. ,
Another danger to be considered in Z
this underpass. That would be the i
only way Sourh fror Columbia to the
Pulaski or Campbellsville pike, and for
all that part of South Columbia east of
High street. To congest all that !.
travel in one fortyfoot passway is .
impracticable and I'M :
Even in normal condi-
lions of travel it would not give suffi-
,ient room, and on extra occasions it
would be absolutely impossible to
handle the crowd without tedious
waiting and great danger. II SOL .
lier's reunion. or political meeting,
Or fair, or a circus, or anything to
lttract large crowd was held at
,outh Side Park, what hour of the
hight would the last ono get back to
Columbia il they all had to come-as .
most of them would-through this
orty-foot underpssf Would you like p
0 be in that jamb1 These extra &C. q
aston should be considered before, =
OF lamented and complained about y
fter, the contract is made. u
Suppose on some occasion like this r
here would be blockade in this I'M a
erpass, ana number of horses and y,
ehicles were stopped Immediately "
nder or near to the track, hemmed m,
n by high embankments on either II
de and other vehicles in front and VI
ehind; and while the re train after
ain should come laundering by how Id
,ould you like to have your loved La
aes, or your horse or your vehicles in CT
lat crowds And Is that not a reason Di
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