The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-05
GRADE CROSSINGS
STATE R. R. COMMISSION
ASKS FOR FACTS.
Essex 0flcials Requested to Furnish De-
tailed Information, Which May
Lead to Action.

officials Of Newark and other munich
palities throughout the State have re-
ceived a long series of questions in the
form of a phamphlet from the new Board
of Railroad Commissioners of New Jer-
sey, which must be as speedily
as possible. The subject matter of the
questions deals with grade crossings of
railroads, and it is apparent fro mthe de-
| tail of the Information desired by the new
board that some effort will be made to
secure legislation compelling the abolish
ment Of these death-traps.
Newark has its full quota Of them and 1t
is the sincere desire of Mayor Jacob
Haussling and many other city officials
that the replies made by the City of New
ark to the State Commissioners will be so
comprehensive that his city will receive
first attention at the hands of the Com
mission.
There are three operators at least of
grade crossings in this city. the Lehigh
Valley. Pennsylvania and Erie railroads
maintaining several street crossings at
within the corporate limits of the city,
and legal actions against the first two
named corporations are now pending In
the Court Of Chancery. The Lackawanna
railroad also maintains grade crossings In
the Oranges and other suburban munich
palities in Essex County, as does the Erie
railroad.
The Commissioner will find plenty OF
work In Essex County and 1t is believed
by many that the replies TO be forwarded
by the several municipalities will be such
as to ultimately cause the adjustment of
railroad grade crossings.
The circular sent out by the Commission
follows:
Dear Sir-Pursuant to resolutions adopted
July 9, 1907, the Board of Railroad Com
missioners for the State of New Jersey
has instituted an inquiry into the subject
OF grade crossings in this State, with a
view to securing an observance and en-
forcement of the law. You are, accord
ingly, respectfully requested at your very
earliest convenience to send by mail, adj
dressed to the Office of the commission In
the State House. Trenton, N. j., he fol
lowing information pertaining to grade
crossings in your municipality:
(a) Total number of crossings of public
roads, streets or e by steam rail-
(b) The following detailed information
concerning each grade crossing included
under question Ia:
~ Name of road. street or avenue
C) What public boadr or officer ha,
jurisdiction and control over such road
street or avenue?
() Name the steam railroads or railroads
at crossing?
"a Number of tracks mot rails)?
(5) Siding or main tracks?
go Are tracks curved or straight?
90 Is said crossing at right angles oil
acute?
() Is said crossing protected by sign
posts?
20 Is said crossing protected by bell?
90 Is said crossing protected by gates
or flagman?
Old Between what hours are gates
operated or f1agman on duty?
Q2) Name of street railway, If any, on
road, street or highway at said crossing?
Q3) Is street railway also at grade?
(14) Number of tracks mot rails) of
street railway?
G5) In your opinion, is said crossing one
of unusual danger?
(16) In your opinion, is traffic on the
road, street or highway substantially i'm
peded because of the existence of said
crossing at grade?
I'D Are legal proceedings to compel the
elimination Of said grade crossing actively
pending?
(c) Total number of crossings of public
roads, streets or avenues by steam rail-
roads above or below grade?
I'D Total number of crossings of public
roads, streets or venue of steam rail-
roads in actual process of change from
grade crossings to crossing other than ut
grade Exclusive of crossings included
under. questions (a) and (b)? Very re-
JOS. w. CoNGDoN; President.
EDMUND WILSON,
BORDEN ID.