The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-05
CARD FROM Mr.. RUNDLETT.

To the Editor of The Globe
I notice in this mornings G o e an
editorial on the subjest of the infringe
ment on the sidewalk at the intersection
of Fifth and Wabasha streets and the
change in paving material on Fifth street,
between Cedar and Robert streets, which
I think was written without full knowl-
edge Of existing circumstances and with
your permission will offer a brief explain
alton.
Fifth and Wabasha is the only street
intersection in the city where cars are
operated on double tracks running in
both directions, consequently it is physi-
cal necessity-for the successful operation
of the long street cars now in use that
the track should occupy more room than
on any other intersection. 1t is also a
corner where nearly every car IN the city
passes and where in case of down
town fire alf the interurban and up
town cars would have to be switched. On
this account it is quite an engineering
problem to locate all the track in a salts
factory manner, particularly as it is not
practicable to start the switches on a
curve. On this account, after looking the
matter over. with the engineer Of the
street car Company, it seemed expedient
to lay the track close to the curb at the
southeast corner of the street, and that
there might be no possibility of anyone be-
ing hurt by the ,cars while standing on
this corner, to put in a larger radius of
curbing at this corner. The track as laid
does not in any way infringe on the orig
inal walk, and the sidewalk at this point
being of unusual width there is no crowd
ing of pedestrian travel. The question
of these curves is strictly an engineering
problem, and cannot see that the city
rights have been infringed upon. 1t has
been said that the fender in front of the
cars would project over the sidewalk, but
this is not the case. No matter which
way the cars run, the projection of the
front OF the car is always on the outside
of the curve and there can be no danger
from this. There is considerable more
space between the curb and the street car
track at this place than on the corner of
Seventh and Wabasha and Eighth and
Wabasha, and I believe that it would be
better at the southwest corner of Waba sha
and Seventh to change the curb from a
four.foot radius that is now there to a
would in any way affect the public in
terests. The only reason that 1 have not
insisted upon its being done is that there
point. I believe. that if I had been pres res,
ent at the meeting of the assembly in
the first instance so as to have explained
the situation there would have been no
controversy whatever in regard to this
matter.
In regard to the paving on Fifth street
between Cedar and Robert streets, I would
say that this is not sandstone pavement,
but dressed granite pavement laid in
Portland cement concrete at a considera-
bly, greater expense than the asphalt could
have been put down. With the poor
believe that this is the best construction
that could have been used. and have not
as yet had single criticism but what
this was the bestoconstruction. AS sug-
paSfed
cheering questions in regard to which the
council are not posted Had the matter
come before them in the first instance
undoubtedly they would have referred it
to the engineer and would have proba-
bly, acted on his suggestion. Since the
work is completed. 1 see no reason to
change my Judgment on the matter. Yours
n sH-L. W. Rundlett
Commissioner of Public Works.
st. Paul, Oct. 4, 1902.