The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-03-19
Bridge Matter in Court.
Commissioners Hold out for
Grade Crossings, Provided
with Gates and WatChman.
EXPERT EVIDENCE HEARD.

eastern approach of the river bridge
now in course of construction at
Mililinvilie was before the court OH
Monday. The session convened at
ten O'Clock, with Hon. Robt. r.
Little and Associates Fox and
Krickbaum OH the bench, and from
that time on till nearly five o'clock
in the afternoon, the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, by its repre-
sentatives L. L. Waller, and II.
M. Hinkley of Danville, endeavor-
ed to show the superiority of an
overhead crossing. One OF the
greatest advantages, they claim, is
the safety, while the public will
have an uninterrupted access at all
times.
The overhead crossing will cost,
according to an estimate furnished
by the King Bridge Company,
$r2, 900 more than grade cross
Ing. This extra expense. how
ever will be borne by the Railroad
Company.
The Commissioners were repre-.
sented by their Counsel J. b. Robi-
son, who presented their reasons
for apposing the overhead crossing.
They are as follows
Because the bridge and its ap-
proaches were established by the
proceedings and views that were
mostly heard before the enactment
of the Act Of 1901 and all the pro-
ceedings except the final order were
prior to the time when said act a1d
statute went into effect,
2. Because Tie proceedings had
in establishing said bridge and high
way under the report OF the view
ers and the order OF the Couit OF
Quarter Sessions the said Commits
sioners have no authority to con-
stiuct such bridge except as laid
out by said viewers to wit, at grade
crossing.
Z Because by reason of the con-
tract made under the authority oi
the Court Of Quarter Sessions and
of the work done under said con-
tract change i'll the construction
of said bridge and its approaches SC
as to avoid a grade crossing would
involve excessive expense III view
of the small amount of traffic or
the said highway.
a Because the great height tc
which il would require said bridge
to be built to make an overgrade
crossing would greatly increase ano
excessively increase the cost of sale
bridge and greatly add to the peril.
of travel over the same.
S Because it would be impractic
able and impossible to cross under
the same railroad.
6 Because a material increase il
the cost of construction of saiC
bridge would involve the county il
Indebtedness beyond or inconveni
entity near the legal limit now per
mit,ed TO same county.
7 Because grade crossing would
by reason of the small amount O
traffic on said highway and on saic
railway at present or for a lonl
period likely to prevail, reasonabl,
accommodate the public.
8 Because the dangers and in
convenience of an over grade cross
ing OF said railroad enhanced by tn
rise of smoke and noXious fume
from passing locomotives terrifyin,
to horses and other animals ant
annoying to travellers would b
much more obnoxious and objec
tionable than a grade crossing
provided with gates, watchme'
and other reasonable safeguards.
9 Because to add the necessar
heighth to the south end OF SAT-
bridge without adding to the mort
end would make too heavy grad
for the safety OF the bridge and tn
travel thereon, and to increase tn
height at both ends sufficient 70
an over head crossing would requir
a large additional span at both end
of the bridge, and largely and eS
brilliantly increase the construct
ion"
County Commissioner Willial
Fisher was the first witness to tax
the stand. lie stated that the cor
tract for the bridge to be construc
ec with grade crossing had bee
awarded last year He was follow
ed by DR., Il. Y. Hover and r. "
Smith, Two OF Milflinville's for
most residents. The opinions
these gentlemen is considered to |
a correct index of the sentiment {
-on.i'u,d on Sth PAGE end Coll