Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-01

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city, though the danger is enhanced in pro-
portion as population is dense. 1t is the
duty, therefore, Of those charged with re-
sponsibilities of government, to obviate,
wherever and whenever possible, the laying
of railroad tracks across public highways
at grade Of vehicle or foot traffic
Woodbury. is practically surrounded by
railroads. In entering the city from four
directions, railroad tracks must be crossed,
and all are daugerous-the Glassboro road
crossing being especially so by reason OF the
fact that the tracks Of the main line aud
two branches converge there. The only
entrance to our city not thus menaced is
Delaware street.
The West Jersey and Seashore Railway
Company, owner Of all these lines, main-
tain fiagman at four crossings during GER
taius hours of the day. but it was on the
expenditure of no small effort that this
measure Of protection to the public was
secured.
Tt is admitted that the only really safe
crossing IS that either over or under the
tracks, because the most careful and faith
full fiagman will occasionally lapse in his
duty, therefore when opportunity offers to
secure the only safe railroad crossing, the
governing body is derelict in its duty il
advantage is not taken Of the occasion.
The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad
Company is now engaged in improving ard
extending its facilities, and to compl etc
such must lay an additional track through
Woodbury., at grade or oyer or under several
established highways in the city limits
The manager of that road, Mr.. Lowell, has
met the members OF our City Council,
(though in secret session and there formu-
lated mis- desires, and those desires are en-
bodied in an ordinance introduced in
Council on Tuesday evening last as follows:
'sAn ordinance authorizing the West Jer-
sey and Seashore Railroad Company to lay,
construct, maintain and operate an addi-
tionai track, across Broad, Edith, Cooper
and Carpenter streets, and GlassborO ave.
Section l. Be it ordained by the City
Council of Woodbury. that the West Jersey
aud Seashore Railroad Company be, and is
hereby authorized and empowered to locate,
construct. maintain and Operate one addi-
tional track across Broad, Edith, Carpenter,
Cooper and Glassboro avenue, said tracks to
be located and constructed On the West
side of the tracks of the said railroad COM
pany now crossing SAID streets and avenue,
the same to be laid at grade and the street
crossings properly planked !"
It has been reported that at the private
conference Mr. Lowell assured the mem
bers that it was the desire Of his company
to depEess the tracks through Woodbury. at
the very earliest opportunity, and he be-
lieved that opportunity would present itself
within three years, but in the open he holds
out not even this little hope. We quote
his letters-read at the last meeting:-
CAMDEN. February Is, 1906.
mr.. Tictor E. KugIer, President Of City
Counczl:-
Referring to the conference last night
with City Council with reference to the
| elevation of the grade crossing at Cooper
street, I take pleasure in assuring Council
that this mpany is not adverse to favor
ably considering the same, and as soon as
the work OF electrifying, in which we are
ali busily engaged, permits, we will take
up the question with 3 view to having the
crossing eliminated within the next year or
two, il possible.
"When / say that for some time haye
had this crossing in mind as one OF those
which should be eliminated as soon as pos
sible, you will understand that we, as well
as yourselves, have already been interested
in that direction. Yours truly,
d. FL. LOWELL.
CAMDEN, February 20, 1906.
eMr. Victor E. Kugler, President City
Council, Woodbury.:
ssDear Sir:-Since my letter of the 18th,
instant, have been looking into the mat
ter of the grade crossing at Cooper street,
and would say that it is our desire and
hope to be able TO eliminate it this year.
Plans are now under way with that object
4 in view, and I hope we shall be able to
accomplish it. Yours truly,
ID. H LOWELL, Sapt
The railroad ordinances is now before
Council for action next Tuesday evening.
The GLOUCESTER COUNTY DEMOCRAT i
not in favor Of throwing the least obstruc-
tion in the way Of the prompt completion
of the plans Of the railroad company for
improving its service. II hopes the ordin-
ances will bepromptly enacted, and with as
little change as is consistent with the public
needs, but the public needs, and the safety
Of human lite, should not be sacLi fced
II the grade crossings are dangerous
now they will be doubly dangerous wher
trains are more frequent; if they are dan
gerous when railroads are operated by
noisy locomotives they will be doubly
dangerous when noiseless electricity is thu
motive power, hence the GLOUCESTER
COUNTY DEMOCRAT urges our Council il