Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-17
Rnlroad TraoIes on streeta.


Much interest attaches TO a petition
pending before the Street and Sewer De
partment, in which business concern
about to be located on the north side Of
Front street. east Of Washington, desires
permission TO lay a railroad track across
Front street, in order TO connect with the
p, b. d W. Railroad. There is already
such crossing on this street. just west
of Madison, which was laid years ago to
connect lumber yard with the tracks
Of the old Wilmington & Northern Rail-
road The lumber yard has given way
to a mill, and the spur connects with the
local division Of the Philadelphia & Read
ing Railway.
The application for another track across
Front street has stirred opposition on the
part Of those who hold the opinion that
the street should not be devoted TO such
purposes Il il argued that Front street
is the main highway Of travel from the
eastern TO the western sections of the
city, below Sixth street. Second, Third,
Fourth and Fifth streets all offer the OBJ
lection of heavy grades which seriously
interfere with westbound vehicular traffic,
but Front street, from Market to Adams
Qt is now called Lancaster avenue after
leaving Madison street, however,, is COM
paratively level. Therefore, the great
bulk Of traffic westward takes It's course
along Front street and Lancaster avenue.
In addition, Front street is traversed
by a street car line, and it is held that
frequent tracks connecting places on the
north side Of the street with the railroad
on the south side would be a source Of
danger by reason Of the liability Of col
lisions between steam cars and trolley
cars. OF course, only one such railroad
connection is now under consideration,
but It is argued that the granting Of per
mission for ono connection would natu-
rally lead 10 applications for others, 80
that, in time, the street along its entire
length might be fairly gridironed by such
distractions
The situation, Il Is held by those who
have a deep interest in tho subject is one
that warrants the serious consideration oi
the Directors Of the Street and Sewer De.
partment before taking decisive action
upon the pending application. The con,
ditions along Front street have changec
materially during recent years, and vii
no doubt change radically in the neal
future, by reason of the encroachmenti
made upon property along the south sid
Of tho street by the elevated railroad
operations Now, will the result Of thes,
changed conditions make il desirable I,
surrender the street to cross railroad con
nections, or will il be such as to max
such connections undesirable, or evei
dangerous
This question Is one hard to answer a
present. As a rule, railroad connection
across busy highway, such as West From
street is at all times, form a dangerou
nuisance. They are apt TO make tn
thoroughfare unfit for any other uses thai
those associated with the railroad con
nections. And to destroy Front stree
for vehicular traffic would force all thi
traffic TO some of the upper streets
thereby subiecting It to the delay, incon
venience and added expense attendan
upon the heavy grades.
All things considered, the Directors q
the Street and Sewer Department will d
well 70 exercise the greatest consideratio
and caution in this matter. The desir
70 afford convenicnces for business
natural and proper, but other Interests
particularly those of public characte
must not be ignored. The weight Of arg,
ment would seem to be against permittiu
Front street to be gridironed with railroa
crossings, and no exception should [
made unless it shall appear conclusi,
that public interests will not be seriousl
disturbed thereby.