The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-06
GRADE CROSSINGS; THEIR
DANGER AND REMEDY.

Editor Morning News: The old saw
about taking the pitcher to the well
is as true about accidents at grade
crossings as to the pitcher. They are
bound to happen. They are happening
all over the country, and they are
sure to happen in Savannah. The
time is coming (again) when either be-
cause of the relaxation of vigilance on
the part of somebody, the gross care
lessness of somebody, or the derange-
ment of machinery by which brakes
will not work, either on steam or
electric cars, that loss of life and of
property will result. Possibly the
loved ones of the writer, or of the
reader Ga selfish view may be among
the victims. The great. public who
patronize both steam and electric We
hicles are interested, every one of
them.
Public sentiment must demand that
the greatest possible security be ac-
corded the patrons of transportation
lines. The damage suits growing out
of one accident would go far towards
paying for a change. On the night of
the fireworks, on the return trip to
the city, with anywhere from ten to
thirty cars on the same schedule, run
ming within few minutes space from
each other, in ascending the grade at
the Gwinnett street crossing, car
stalled, whether on the Atlantic Coast
Line right-of-way or not, the writer
does not know; but the car could
not go ahead, and if 1t could have re-
versed, those behind would have been
in danger. Right then and there was it
possible for serious results to ensue,
either from collisions or panic.
Just at this point, and the Bolton
street crossing, is where the danger
lies. There probably will never be
another accident like that recently at
the Seaboard Air Line crossing. The
Central Railroad crossing augusta
roaD will soon be remedied. The dan
ger at the Isle of Hope branch crossing,
near Bull street, is reduced to the
minimum.
Thousands, and mostly women and
children use the cars to the Yacht Club,
Thunderbolt, the Casino, Bonaventure.
etc. Whv wait until the life of some
body's loved one is lost?
Years ago, during the Parsons adj
ministration. this matter has been
mooted-"Gre2t bodies move slowly
The combination of the Parsons adj
ministration and the Savannah. Flor
ida and Western Railway was one
their movements, entitled each to be
considered a great body-"N. D."
Nothing Doing" was the strange de-
vice on their banners. Now that the
Atlantic Coast Line has taken the place
of the Savannah, Florida and Western,
Nothing" may be printed in capitals,
and then 1t would convey an adequate
idea of their policy in that matter.
Should the city of Savannah do aught
than to insist upon a change? Has the
corporation any right to expend the
money of taxpayers for the improve
ment of railroad property? Would II
not be stopped by injunction, and prop
erly stopped? Would the property
owners east and west of the Atlantic
Coast Line tracks on Bolton and
Gwinnett submit to the permanent or
temporary damaging of their property
by the building of a viaduct or tunnel
on either or both of these streets?
Cannot such a course be avoided, and
a change be made which would elimi.
nate the participation of the city and
also of the Atlantic Coast Line people
On the return to the city from Thun-
derbolt, the cars now turn from Bolton
into OFT street. and then into Gwin-
nett. Why not continue north on Ott
to Wheaton street. then on Wheaton
to Liberty and use the tracks on that
latter street. There could be no loss OF
trade in this route, because Habersham
street is served by the Bridge Cars. .
The territory on Bolton between Hab.
ersham and East Broad have the lines
on those two streets. The gain would
be the new territory served by the line
the industries along the route. and the
avoidance of a great fatality, which
must come "Caution