Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1912-09-19
" ". FRY WRITES
ON CROSSINGS
OVER RAILROADS
Mexico. No., Sept. 12. 1912
Editor Ledger:

A%AAN0A @@NHaG~A
Dear SIR
It OCCURS to me that the railrpad
companies. having tracks through
Mexico and crossing our streets have
dilly.dalBied with our City Coun-
ellis long enough. and something
should be done about opening suffi-I
cient, adequate street crossings overl
the railroad tracks TO accommodate
t'e travelling public.
The jefferson Street crossing has
become SO oongested that the pub
lie. travel cannot be accommodated.
Washington Street is wroagfully
closed. The Clark Avenue bridge, al
botch and d disgrace to the city,
is used only in case of necessity asl
it is SO high. out OF proportion and
SO dangerous the public cannot safe-
" use 1t. About a year ago the
City Council vacated streets be-
tween Western and Clark Avenues
for the accommodation OF The Chicar
so G Alton R, r. Co. that IL might
establish switch tracks to dts freight
depot. with this gratuItous conces-
sion from the city. that company
built switch tracks across Western
Avenue in addition to the Wabash
and G. and A. main tracks So
this crossing Is rendered dangerous
and almost useless.
The City Council can relieve this
situation If Il will, These streets
were located and established by
the Original plat In about 1885,
When the Wabash Railroad secured
It's right OF way through the city IN
about 1856 and the g. a. A. In about
1878, their right OF way was ac-
quired subject to the then establish
cd streets. The City has control
OF these streets and the railroads on
| ly have an easement or right Of way
or user over them, Therefore, the
City can order and compel the
railroads TO open up and put In
good condition for travel Washing
ton Street where the railroad cross
es the same. Ait Western Avenue,
the city cannot force the railroads
to dig out and make a subway cross
ing, but the city can build such sub
way. The city should notify these
railroads that the City Intends
to construct a subway at Western
Avenue and 1t will begin the rernov-
al Of the dirt ON certadn date and
the railroads must protect their
tracks. Then let the City remove
dirt for subway and the railroads
will have to put dn their own sup
ports and abutments, etc, as they
like so they do not interfere with
the city's sub driveway. It win
not cost the city $4,000 TO re-
move this dirt, as 1t can sell q
great part or all of it. The City
is not required to build abutments
or supports for the railroad tracks
The railroads must support their
own tracks. The city's street
rights are superior to the railroads
right OF way and the railroad takes
subject to the public's highway rights
The City cannot force the rail-
4 .zz Nn
roads to lower the bridge at Clarl
Avenue but the city can lower u
1t is true the railroads may be in
conyenlenced by the bridge beini
lowered but the city has the righ
to safe and convenient crossing ans
he city's right along this line +
superior to the easement and RICH
Of way Of the railroads over The cit!
street.
Let the city notify these rail
roads that on certain date th'
!. city intends to lower the bridge o.
Clark Avenue across their tracks
! or feet. for the convenience an
! comfort Of the public travel, AM
] notify the railroads to adjust thei
business and tracks to meet this
. change Then the city should pre-
ceed to lower the bridge at tn
!. cost OF the city, which will nc
: exceed $4,000. Do this and v
N will have the necessary, safe cross
I ing for the city,
i If the city will give the necessar
legal written notice to the raj
! roads that the city Will ON the firs
!, day Of November, 1912 begin th
removal of the dirt for a sub drfvl
way at Western Avenue, and n
tice that on the same date u
city will begin to lower the bridge
= Clark Avenue 4 feet, and notify Il
v railroads to open and put in a eros
=. ng at Washington Avenue by n
r vember / 1912, there will be som
thing doing in the right directio
:. and we will get what the public q
. mands and is entitled to.
Respectfully,