Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-10-13
FORCIBLE REPLY TO
TRUESDALE LETTER
[Continued from First Page. ]

were only a contest between railway
companies, the stand you take would
be more foroeful; but the public Is not
either of these companies and in the
choice of risks wishes the lesser. 1t
does not wish to avoid death at one
place and be forced to find 1t in an
other
Now rs to the policy of preventing
the crossing at grade. the people may
instly complain. Because, even in
most recent years. this policy has not
been observed as to the operation of
the l.. q B. r. Il. For at Northum-
berland, Bloomsbury, Berwick, Ed
wardsville and Scranton grade cross
ings have been established. Many of
them. far more dangerous than Dan
Vile, have reaped no harvest of deatL.
| would also here state that the cross
ing in question is located in the heart
of the town which compels every one
of your trains which pass over 1T to be
under complete control. In fact you
have only fourteen schedule trains in
"a hours. Indeed trolley accidents at
grade crossings seem to be the eXcep-
tion. The common ordinary accidents
occur from the passage of vehicles,
the motor car is not likely to add to
the number.
The reason that none have happened
on the L. & B. is plain; the traffic is
light. the scheduled trains can be
avoided, only the shifters and extra
freight being the ones probably to be
met But the requirements of the or
dinsnce granting the right of the troll
ley on the streets, order the trolley to
| be stopped and the motorman TO &c
ahead. The street is level. But in addi.
| tiou, q watchman is always there. These
men may fail in duty and the mach,
inery may fail. This assumption is not
warranted, because all our affairs are
conducted on the basis that men will
| do their duty and machinery will full
fill its purpose and the large results OF
| progress is full proof of the correct.
| ness of our assumptions.
Ii is true that some of our citizens
| may In their zeal have brought them
selves within the pale of prosecution.
But the risk which your Company
| took in sending its passenger trains
over this Objectionable frog at high
rate of speed which violated our Bor-
| ough ordinance and endangered the
lives of your passengers and those
dwelling at the crossing cannot be
looked upon with favor. Two wrongs
| do not make one right. This is not the
| temper in which to consider the ques-
| ton.
am of the opinion that If you could
fully comprehend the situation as il
| really exists that you would see the
| just cause Of our claim. Public offic-
ers as we'll as public corporations
should manage their affairs ON the
principle Of the greatest good for the
greatest number. Instead of opposing
| the improvements to our town your
Company should assist us in making
the improvements.
The canal which you recently pur-
chased of the Pennsylvania r. r. Co.
is a nuisance at the present time and
| a disease breeder. / would also state
! that the present location of your depot
! here is such as to make your passeng
ers walk on your railway tracks to ap.
proach it. This depot should be locat-
ed on one of our thoroughfares.
believe that if your Company would
assist Danville in making these i'm
provements you would derive a benefit
| instead of disadvantage in the pres
ent controversy.
This communication was delayed on
account of not getting in communica
tion with the balance of our commit
| tee.
Hoping that you may reconsider this
matter favorably. and if necessary oul
committee should be pleased to call OIL
you TO more fully explain the condi
tions as they really exist so that this
controversy may be amicably settled,
/ remain, Yours truly.
JOHN Fl. GOESER, President.
! - mHOS. PRICE, ,--=-
F. O. HARTMAN,
JAMES FOSTER,
SDeciaI Committee