The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-06
DANGER IN CROSSINGS
Ain. GRAYsON URGED IMMEDIATE
ACTION BY THE CITY.
TURNED DOWN BY COUNCIL.
RESOLUTION REFERRED TO COM
NTITTEE OF WHOLE.

Alone StOOd Tor PaSH1Ee OF stFOnR
Resolution Calling for Immediate
ActiOn-Ten Members of Council
Voted for Alderman Thomas Mo-
ton to Let the Matter Go 10 Conn
mittee - MIR. GraysOn Declared
That Thore Had Already Been
Too Much Delay on This Import
ant Question-He VIII Keep Up
Agitation.
An effort made by Alderman w. L.
Grayson, at yesterdays session of City
Council, to at once do something to-
wards settling the grade crossing prob
lem, If it can be called a problem, was
temporarily throttled by the action of
a majority of Council.
A resolution offered by Alderman
Grayson showing the dangers of grade
crossings, calling attention to the many
delays in efforts that have been made
to have them abolished and insisting
that the matter be taken up imme-
diately, and that something be done,
was promptly voted down in that it
was referred to the Committee of the
Whole, to be taken up at a future
meeting. Aldermen Grayson and Gar
funkel alone voted for its passage.
The resolution covers the question
thoroughly and is as follows
Danger Is Apparent.
Whereas with the growth and ex-
pansion of the city it is apparent to
the public generally that grade cross
ings are dangerous and are becoming
more dangerous daily, and;
Whereas il is the desire of the May
or and Aldermen of the city of Savan-
nah to give TO the citizens every
proper protection against the risks in
cident to the use of grade crossings,
and as in other cities as far as prac-
ticable grade crossings have been
abandoned and the railway tracks ele-
waited or tunneled aand as most of
the grade crossings in the city of Sa-
vannah are without any protection
whatever, and;
Whereas it will be necessary for the
city of Savannah as the city grows
to open streets at various points and
thus increases the number of cross
ings necessary to be used it is the
desire of City Council that reasonable
protection should be given to its citi-
zens who must make use of the streets
of Savannah at said crossings, and;
Whereas in the recent accident at
one of these grade crossings two peo-
pie lost their lives and many others
We're dangerously injured, and as the
pending negotiations of committee
from this council looking to giving the
citizens better protection have failed
to improve conditions and as it is APP
parent to the Mayor and Aldermen of
the city of Savannah that immediate
steps should be taken so as to give
to the citizens generally that protec-
ton to which they are entitled,
What GraysOn Wanted.
Therefore be it resolved, by the
Mayor and Aldermen i'll Council as
sembled that the committee already
appointed be increased to five, the
Mayor or Acting Mayor to be the
chairman of said committee, and that
said committee Immediately take up
the question with the officials of the
railroads entering Savannah. as well
as the officials of the street
railway company, and ask their
prompt cooperation in bringing about
a safer and more modern protection
at the crossings upon the various
streets of Savannah
Resolved further, That said commit
tee of five Immediately proceed upon
their duties and that they report at
the next regular meeting of Council
the result of their efforts.
Resolved further. That Council rec
ognizes the importance of this inn
provement being brought about at as
early a date as possible; First because
it is necessary for our citizens to use
said crossings, and second, because
Council recognizes that at any time
serious accidents may occur in which
a number of our citizens may lose
their lives; Third, because any failure
or delay in carrying out the efforts of
City Council in placing the proper
safeguards as indicated in this reso-
lIfiOn nRpaSSifV Tatar0 the
expansion and growth of the city. If
for any reason the officials of the va
rious corporations who are interested
are not accessible by mail, so as to
avoid any unnecessary delay, that the
committee provided as above, be and
they are hereby Empowered to COM
municate by wire the wishes of this
Council to the various officials as in
Dictated.
Thomas Raised objection.
Alderman Thomas said that it was
true that the matter should be taken
UP and he did not doubt that the
members of Council agreed with Mr..
Grayson that the dangerous crossings
should be abolished. He thought it
wise, however, to refer the resolution
TO the Committee of the Whole. AL
derman Glatigny seconded the mo-
ton.
Alderman Grayson declared that the
question had been delayed long
enough. He would call for a divis-
ion. Alderman Thomas said he did
not object to the resolution. but to
the preamble. and Alderman Glatig-
ny made the same statement. Alder
man Grayson declared that he didn't
care anything about the preamble, but
he did want something done, and done
at once, too.
Aldermen Against Resolution.
Aldermen w. H. Wright. Robert L.
Colding ]. II. McKenna. E.
A. M. Schroeder, George L.
Hartman, John F. Glatigny, ]. f.
CAVITY, r. J. Davant and D. r. Thorn
as voted the resolution to the Com
mittee of the Whole. Aldermen Gray
son and Garfunkel went on record
as wanting its passage.
I'm bring this thing up at every
meeting of Council until something is
DONE" said Alderman Grayson after
the adjournment. Grade crossings
are dangerous and the people are en-