Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-12
SAFEGUARDS REQUIRED
COL. RIDDLES LETTER TO RAIL
WAY COMPANY AGENTS.
Electric Alarm Bells at 4th and ]
Streets Northeast Suggested
Report Endorsed.

Col. John Biddle, District Engineer Com
missioner. is determined that the railroad
company engaged in construction work on
the railroad terminal project shall provide
all reasonable safeguards to the public, and
to this end he has written a letter to Mr.
c. w. Galloway. superintendent of the Bal
timore division of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, insisting that electric alarm bells
should be placed at the crossing at 4th and
/ streets northeast.
In a letter received by the Commissioners
several days ago Mr.. Galloway declares
that the alarm bells are not necessary for
the reason that Waterman is stationed at
the crossing mentioned and that this is
sufficient precaution.
In his letter to Mr.. Galloway, forwarded
today, Col Biddle quotes a report relative
to the matter from Assistant Engineer
Charles Fernald, which report Col. Biddle
indorses. The report is follows:
THE knowledge and practical experience
of Mr.. Galloway as a railroad man jusu-
fies Difference to his opinion as to the value
of the methods of crossing protection, and
while it is opposed to the alarm bell as
safeguard device, some substitute therefor
should be arranged for at the crossing at
4th and l streets northeast as it is not now
believed to be as fully guarded as the
danger of the situation demands.
hegarQeQ as dangerous.
This crossing is one of particular danger
from the fact that the approach of trains
from the east cannot be seen far distant on
account of peculiar conditions obstructing
the view, not only of the public, crossing
the tracks, but the Waterman as well.
From the watchman's shelter a very limit
ed field of view of the track can be OBJ
tanned too limited, indeed. to depend upon
H., in, frny, fhn hn1 II, mo
to close the gates, or to warn approaching
vehicles or persons of danger with the
activity and promptness necessary to the
full protection of the crossing.
TT is but a few days since, at this Cross
ing that saw wagon loaded with lumber
in danger of demolition because of the very
fact that the Waterman was unable to
warn the driver lower the gate in time
to prevent the wagon getting on the track,
neither the Waterman nor the driver of the
wagon being conscious of the close prox-
unity of the approaching express train.
Now that the weather is getting cold 1t
is but natural to feel that the Waterman
will stay close to his stove, and with the
window and door of the shelter closed, pre-
venting in a large degree the hearing of
the approachin train, and with his field of
view out of the window so limited by OBJ
structions as to only cover distance OF
track for few hundred feet the danger
of non-protection of the crossing is con-
siderably increased
Some means, better than the present,
should be insisted upon for a more COM
pIete safeguarding of the crossing. Possibly
two watchmen, younger men than the
present one, might be employed, one sta
toned south of the track, so as to see far
around the curve, and the other at the
shelter, to manipulate the gates, would at
ford the safety to the public that the situa
ton demands.
Report Approved.
In his Endorsement of Mr.. FernaIds re-
port Col Biddle says:
''This report states the case very fully.
1 cannot consider as fully protected a
crossing which is one of the most frequent
ly used in the District. where the watch
man cannot possibly see on the side of the
approaching train more than few hundred
feet. Something must be done to make this
crossing safer and leave it to you to
state what can be DONE"