The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-14
Judiciary and Railroad COm-
 mittees of Council Meet
WATCHMEN FOR CROSSINGS
Committee Decides That Some Steps Must Be Taken and Recommends a Joint Meeting With RaII-
 road Officials.

At the meeting yesterday afternoon of the railroad and judiciary committee Of the city council a resolution was adopted tc recommend to the council at its meet ing tomorrow night to instruct the mayor of the city to have watchmen placed at the grade crossings that at present have none. This report will be made pending the further consideration by the joint committee of reaching an agreement as to providing permanent means of protec- tion at the crossings.
 There were present at the meet:
 Railroad mittee-Aldermen D. R. Copeland of the Third ward, chalrman; Horny B. Gray of the eighth ward, D. IT. Linnehans of the Second ward. Thomas Wheeler of the First ward and John F.. Harrington of the Ninth ward.
 Judiciary Committee-Aldermen Robert H. Thach of the Seventh ward. chairman R. H. Kerr of the Third ward.
 Mayor Drennen Absent.
 Mayor Drennen has not returned. and the mayor pro tenn, Alderman Thach, pre- sided. He called the meeting to order and stated that the committeeman had been called together for the purpose of considering what action should be taken in regard to the grade crossings.
 Alderman Gray presented a resolution providing for the appointment of a com mittee of seven to take the matter up with the railroads and have it as this committees exclusive duty to see that steps were taken for the desired protec. tion
 Several members objected to the ap- pointment of such committee, contend ing that the two committees there as- sembled could attend to the matter. After several amendments the resolution was again read and adopted
 The Resolution Adopted.
 Be it resolved by the joint committee, that this committee deplores the recent accidents on grade crossings, and recog- nizing that some steps must be taken for the better protection of the lives of citizens, and to that end recommends that this matter be continued in this joint committee, and that said commit tee invite the representatives of the Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power company and of all the railroads com ing into Birmingham and also all proper ty owners whose property may be effect ed by building viaducts. etc., at any crossing, to meet with said committee to devise the best method for such pro- lection"
 Alderman D. R. Copeland then present ed the following resolution, which was also adopted:
 Watchmen at Crossings.
 Be 1t resolved by the joint committee of the railway and judiciary, that we re- commend to the board that the mayor be instructed to have a watchman kept at the following crossings: Twentieth street and Powell avenue, First avenue between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, Fifth avenue and Twenty-seventh street, First avenue between Twenty and Twen- ty-seventh streets and First avenue be- tween Twenty-seventh and Twenty eighth streets, and same shall be main tained jointly by the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company and the other railroads crossing at these points" !" This was all of the business transacted, when the meeting adjourned.
 During the meeting the question of providing a permanent protection at the Twentieth street crossing arose. Alder man Gray said the only way in his opin- ion was to build viaduct, that gates would not answer the purpose. He said so far as the electric cars were con cerned they could cross the railroads at the Twenty-first street bridge, by erect ing a structure for tracks on both sides of the bridge.
 Discussing Vladuct.
 Alderman Harrington did not think a viaduct was practicable, as the ground and Hay of the land" at this crossing was level.
 Alderman Linnehan thought the proper way to solve the question was to con struct a subway, if 1t could be afforded
 The discussion was of an informal na- ture and the committee is undecided as to what Is the best plan to pursue, though all of them are cognizant of the fact that protection of a permanent nature IS wanted and should be furnished.
 Before adjoufning, on motion or Alder man Gray it was decided that five mem- bers of the joint committee would con- stitute a quorum at all future meetings.