The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-10
LOCKS HORNS
WITH RAILROADS
Squabble Over Crossings is
Not Ended.
PROMISES !, ARE PROFUSE
AS Yet None Have Been
Redeemed.
Railway Officials and Attorneys At
tend Council Meeting and Discuss
the Crossing Question With the
City Fathers.

Ipel them to give better protection AT
local street crossings. Another long
conference with attorneys and Off
cials representing the various roads,
was held last night when the city
fathers met in regular session.
Don Il. j. Brockett, chairman OF
the committee appointed two weeks
ago and instructed to go over the city
with the officials and determine the
crossings where more protection is
needed, gave a report of proceedings.
He declared that the railroad Off
cials had promised to do great deal
but furthermore remarked that they
have done practically nothing.
b. f. NAPLES, another member of
the committee, remarked that the
railroads had offered to give them
nearly everything they want with
la possible exception OK u crossing
watchman at Darius street. w. L..
Ullom, the third member of the COM
mittee said that the officials had made
them many promises but declared 1t
a question as to the matter of them
carrying them out.
The discussion among the commit
teemen had scarcely began when 10
group of railroad men and attorneys
became listeners. you don't give as
good a protection in the city as you
do in the country at your crossings;
you protect the cows in the rural
districts with cattle guards and wing
gates and in the city, you leave your
crossings open where children are
crushed and manned sang out Mem
Der Brockett when one of the railroad
officials objected to one of his re-
marks.
Attorney James Eymon was present
representing the interests of the
Pennsylvania railroad company, He
informed Mr. Brockett that cattle
guards would do no good in the city,
remarking that they would not stop
children or grown people from walking
down the tracks. "They would help
some and we have lots of children in
u. city that hav'nt much more sense
than COW" remarked Brockett.
Member Randall remarked that by
all means, there should be a crossing
watchman placed at Darius street
"There are several hundred children
passing over that crossing every day
and they should have protection" re-
marked Randall
who's fault is It that those child
rem cross the railroad tracks? Isn't II
a fact that there Is a school building
west of the tracks queried l.. E
Nebergall, local union depot agent
Randall answered the question by
remarking that the school board
hasn't sufficient room In the David
West End children.
"The railroads have consented tC
place extra watchmen at Greenwood
Kenton avenue, Silver street and have
proceeded to install crossing walks al
several places; now what more do yor
want? remarked Nebergall. Mr.
Nebergall continued by ridiculing the
idea of installing gates. He declared
that they are not a success and are
being torn away by railroads at
many points.
A. M. Bauer, trainmaster of the
Erie from. Canton, spoke on the gatt
subject. He declared that In the win
II ter time, they are continually out ol
order and pronounced them a veritablC
nuisance.
Frank Mayer, local Big Four agent
made a few remarks in the interest OF
his company.
Attorney ID. r.. Crissinger, repre-
senting the Erie emphatically in
formed council that 1t does not want
gates at the crossings. He cited an
instance at Caledonia recently where
by he came near being run down by
"A passenger train, because the gates
had refused to work properly. He
spoke of the time, about twenty-five
years ago. when the city council or
dered the gates removed and compell-
ed the railroads to install watchmen
you have got just what you want;
there is no question but what a
Waterman Is better any time than q
gate" concluded the attorney.
Attorney Harry N. Quigley, repre-
senting the Big Four gave short.
forclble talk declaring himself
against the idea of installing gates.
He spoke of several instances in
Cleveland where he saw people
caught between the gates and almost
run down by approaching trains. He
Furthermore remarked that the legal
side of the question is not so positive
with gates as 1t is with watchman
Mr.. Busby p. sweeney, superinten-
dent of the Marion Steam Shovel
shops, came in late but had plenty of
time for few impressive remarks.
I'VE have several hundred men pass
ing over the West End railroads every
day. We believe that watchman can
accomplish a great deal more than
can a system of gates. The men will
run around and under the gates, while
watchman can warn them and pull
them from the tracks II necessary" re-
marked Mr. Sweeney. Our company is
strongly in favor of retaining the
crossing Waterman" he continued.
What shall be done with the com
mittee's report" remarked President
Smart after the long arguments had
subsidized,
II think the committee should be
dismissed as / can't see where 1t has
accomplished anything" remarked
Wapies with cynical smile.
Council accepted the report of the