New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-25
TO MAKE CROSSING SAFE
Jersey Inspector Recommends
FIagman, Bell and Big Sign.
TWO IN AUTO KILLED THERE
Utilities Commission Has Report
Regarding Scene of Lin
coin Tragedy.

AS result of his investigation of the
grade crossing accident at Cedar avenue.
Lincoln, n. j., week ago, James May
bury. inspector of grade crossings for the
New Jersey Public Utilities Commission,
has recommended that the crossing be pro-
tected by fagman from a. m. TO p. I'll,
that automatic alarm bells be installed in
each side of the crossing, and that in
place of the two signs now in use stand
ard "two-crossing" sign be placed on each
side of the tracks.
These recommendations will not become
effective until after hearing by the Utili-
ties Commission, to which the representa-
tives of the Central Railroad and the resi-
dents of Piscataway Township will be in
vited II, after the hearing, the commits
sion feels satisfied that these recommends
tions will afford sufficient protection II will
order their installation.
In the Cedar avenue accident, which was
caused by an observation engine Of the
Central Railroad hitting an automobile.
Mrs Samuel Fucker. Of Pelham Manor, N.
Y, and the Rev. Nathaniel n. Foster. Of
Brooklyn, were killed, and Eugene Maui
helm. the chauffeur was seriously injured.
Mr. Maybury, in his report Of the accident
says that while there is no protection
at the crossing. the accident could have
been avoided had the chauffeur looked for
an approaching train in an easterly direc-
ton. Before reaching track No. 2. from
the northerly side" he says, ut is neces-
sary to pass over siding track and west
bound local track. A good view OF the OBJ
servation engine could be had about fifty
feet from the track. and 1t is evident that
the chauffeur did not look TO the east for
an approaching train. II he did, and the
automobile was passing over the crossing
at A fair speed, the automobile could have
been stopped in time to prevent the acci-
dent.
There is no protection at the crossing
for either the Central or Lehigh Valley
railroads. At both approaches there Is
small railroad sign, also sign Danger:
Two Crossings The latter signs were
placed at the crossing at the request OK
the board"
Maybury says that the fact that the
crossing is 10 feet wide and is traversed
by the Central and the Lehigh Valley rail-
roads makes It very dangerous one.
Approaching the crossing from the east
erly side" he continues, there is good
view Of the tracks Of the Lehigh Valley
and a good view of the tracks OF the Gen.
trail Railroad In either direction. APP
preaching the crossing from the northeriy
side the view of westbound tracks Of the
Central Railroad Is INSTRUCTED by brush
and trees until a point is reached about
fifty feet from the nearest rail, when west
bound trains can be seen for about one
quarter of a mile, and eastbound trains
owing TO a curve west OF the highway
about one-eighth Of a mile. The dangerous
feature of the crossing is its length. The
driver Of vehicle arriving at the cross
ing. upon taking precaution to look IN
either direction, would see no train COM
ing in either direction and proceed 10 Cross,
when an eastbound train would rouno tne
curve before the vehicle could clear tns
tracks of the Central or the Lenlsn VAL
ley" ro va,
recommended. Mr.. Maybury says, Is the eN-
pectation that 1t will not be long oelore
the railroad constructs bridge over tne
crossing.