Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-17

law.
CITY SOLICITOR.
The duties Of the City Solicitor have
greatly increased in recent years. The
relations of the city with the electric
railroads and other public service cor
porations present many intricate ques-
tons In which the prompt opinion OF
a. competent attorney is indispensable
to the city council. 1t is also frequent
~ advisable that the city solicitor serve
on special committees to which are re-
ferred questions Of law. recommend
that it be made the duty Of the city
solicitor to attend all meetings Of the
city council and that his other duties
be more particularly defined than ar
present.
ABOLISH OUR DANGEROUS
GRADE CROSSINGS.
careful consideration matter which I
deem Of vital Importance to the citizens
Of Augusta. 1t not only affects the
growth and prosperity Of our city but
Is a serious menace to- the lives of our
people. ..t
The grade crossings at Rines Hill,
Court street, Winthrop street and
Bridge street should be abolished. and
the tracks of the Maine Central rail-
road cross above them.
Without curtailing its dividends. the
Maine Central Railroad Company has
within recent years erected in Bangor.
Waterville and Brunswick new and
costly passenger stations. 1t Is plan
ming to spend large sums upon its ter
ninal facilities in Portland
Augusta is the largest city upon the
main lire between Bangor and Port
land.
The time is near at hand when the
present passenger station must be re-
placed ny a new ana comnodiouSI
structure The railroad bridge across
the kenEebec must soon be rebuilt with
sufficient breadth and strength to ac-
commodate the double track which Is
so necessary both to the safety of the
travelling public and the prompt move
niept Of freight. -
All these will come, but first of all
we have right to ask such improve
ments as will not merely crafty the
eve. but will remove from the traffic OF
our city the constant delays to which
it is subjected, by trains standing
across our streets, and from the lives
of citizens and travellers the awful
menace Of collision which these cross
ipgs now present.
Zines Hill is admittedly the most
dangerous grade crossing in New Eng
land. The Maine Central place upon it
the most modern signals. they guard 1t
with careful Waterman. they lay down
as a special rule applicable to no other
crossing protected by gates, that no
train shall pass it at a speed greater
than six miles per hour. All these
safeguards only emphasize the danger.
Trains. and engines cross the street.
every twenty minutes. Often (decpite'
the rule) they move ut great speed.
In the summer months electric cars
cross the steam track every six min
utes. When the Watervilie road is In
operation they viii be even more fire.
lucnt.
Yet despite all these precautions on
the part Of both roads an electric car
at frequent intervals comes down tho
hill and crosses the steam tracks un-
controlled. frequently In ascending the
hill car loses its power and IL stalled
directly in the Path Of approaching
trains 80 10
a motorman's sudden illness, the sig
nal mans mistake. the failure Of a
brake or a slippery track may mean a
collision between an electric car and a
passenger train. and the derailing of
both Such an accident might cost hun
dreds of lives.
Nor Is such gloomy forebOding mere
fancy. 4 collision has occurred here
more than once, and the interposition
Of Divine Providence alone has pre-
vented loss Of life. t.,..
All this may be remedied by judi
cious expenditure on the part"of the
railroads. N"
If the Maine Central began to raise
it's track near the Hallowell line from
the present grade Of feet to the mile
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