The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-04-26
SOMETHING NEEDS TO Be DONE
Some Councilmen Favor
Crossing Gates.
Ordinance Annullng the Franchise
OF the Street Railway Company
is read Again But Final Action
is Dcfcrred-NIinor Matters Con-
sldercd.


miles an hour through the thickly
populated part of the city. which has
been given second reading by the
city fathers, has had it's desired effect
The railroad men came out enmasse
to discuss the proposition last night.
Attorney George Scofeld presented
the railroad officials to the body. 1--WE
are here 10 talk matters over, remark
cd Scofletd.
want but it surely isu't speed ordin-
ance to hold trains down to four miles
an hour. It is too slow 1t would take
a long freight train more than twelve
minutes to pass over a crossing which
would mean violation of another
city ordinance prohibiting the blocking
of crossings. We are here to find out
what you people want and talk things
over in q fair way" remarked Attorney
SCofeld
"The object of the ordinance was
TO get togcthed a body of repre-
sentative railroad men who would do
something. We want protection. We
feel that we have some dangerous
crossings In the city and some of our
Watchmen are little better than child
rem in performing their duties" re-
marked Don e. ]. Brockett in re-
sponse to Mr.. Scofield's talk. In con-
Guiding Mr.. Brockett, declared that he
is in favor of installing gates at the
crossings.
Mr.. Bryant declared that the block
ing of the north street crossings by
tnr .,ta
abominable nuisance in the city. "Why
don't your tower man stop these long
freights in the east yards, at Q tower
insead of allowing them to pull down
into the city where they receive the
block. The failure TO do this cost q lit
girl her life several weeks ago. / have
investigated the matter and find that
these blockades are not the fault of
the trainmen, but are due to the me-
glect of the east side tower man" con-
tinued Bryant. -
Member Rudolph explained an Incl
dent occurring near north Main street
crossing last week whereby a number
OF people came near being run down
He said that one train was following
another within a distance of forty
feet. AS the people ruched across the
tracks after a long freight had pas
I'D, the second train bore down upon
them. --1>
c. A. Allen, general superintendent
lof the Erie with Headquarters at
Gallon, was present and made the
initial address in behalf of the rail.
roads 1T Is our custom and rules to
stop our trains at the east side until
the tracks are clear to the Union de.
pot, We realize the dangers of block.
ing your principal streets and IL has
long been our custom to prevent IL as
as far as possible.
> Regarding this matter, Mr.. Allen
remarked that former city council
and the railroad officials put in Who'll,
day about two years ago In thresh
, ing out the proposition. ut was decid
ed at that time that crossing watch
men would be more satisfactory than
gates. The Erie railroad has paid on
, over $1,000 in damages during tn,
last year from accidents occurring
, where there were gates. Gates are no
a bit satisfactory and we are tearin,
: them down at nearly all places" re
marked Mr., Allen. 1--WE do not Oh
them but we think that Won dom
want them remarked the official.
: Mr.. Allen suggested that a specia
committee from the city council NEE
I with the railroad officials at q futur
date and thresh the matter out. "Yo
O don't want the trains to pass through
the city at four miles an hour for
Will take some of the Erie's Ions
: trains all day to yget through" re
h marked Mr.. Allen.
: Il came here prepared to discuss tn
: speed question but l am glad to lear
e that 1t has practically been dropped
4 remarked II. NJ. Conners, superinten
{ dent of the Hooking Valley rail
road, from Columbus as he faced tn
: council.
+ "The principal reason why our com
: Ipany refused to give Marion a cross
= ing watchman at Darius street wa
:, because of the fact that there is
: clear vision of the tracks In botI
It directions and that the state raIlroa
y commission upheld us in our conten
tion. / am willing however, TO q
oyer this matter with you and IL yo
;, can convince me that you need
watchman at this place. win Sc
that you get it," remarked the Off
4 lcial.
In speaking of gates, Mr.. Conner
= stated that the Hooking Valley ha
\ abolished the use of them entirely
He cited several illustrations of wher
: gates had proved worse than moth
y ing.
:, In closing, Mr.. Corners remarke
~ ~ that he is willing to do anything {
" better the protection OF Marion cit
=, zens and assured the councilmen tina
70 he is ready to meet with them at an
time for further conference.
Don't you think. Mr.. Allen, tha
,s your trains run little too fast in er
81 terlng Marion?" queried a councilman
m "Well, I suspect that some of thei
st do run about sixteen miles an hour
replied the official.
Then lengthy discussion of whf
atlthe speed of a train should be, ensue
st and council agreed. that four mile