New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-10-26
ANOTHER VIEW ON GUARD
RAIL.
Editor Enterprise:

cry u1dOC ASS7bA SAAAA5 Wv
and discomfort to be expected by
the addition of wooden guard
rails to the Southwestern Trac-
ton and Power Co.'S track along
Main street of New Iberia. would
like to suggest that you make an
inspection of the New Iberia and
Northern Railroad track along
Fulton Street and Gas comparl-
sons seem to be in order) COM
pare that portion of track which
is provided with guard rails to
the present Southwestern Trac-
ton and Power Co. track along
Main Street also comparison OF
the complaints that have been reg
istered from the crossing (in con-
veyances) of these tracks and l
think you will readily agree that
! something is needed. Now, re-.
garding the construction OF
! guard rails. If the flangway or
space between the inner guard
rail and the steel rail is not prop
erly filed and tamped and a
| groove 134 inch wide and four
J inch deep is left, it would be dis
astrous to the vehicle Of course
and if you saw such a condition in
Jeanerette most certainly it must
have been an unfinished piece of
work. For when guard rails are
properly laid there will exist 4
depression or groove paralelling
the rail one inch deep and one
and three-quarter inches wide, it
is specified that the ,fangway
shall be thoroughly tamped and
packed, when this is complied
with (Which is in accord with
the plans and specifications furn-
ished the Southwestern Traction
and Power Co. by the City of
New Iberia) all danger Of crush
ing wheels will have been elimi-
mated. Furthermore after this
fangway or groove has once been
filled and tamped the fange OF
the wheel will keep it so and al
low no greater depth.
| Now as an example and in JUS
tice to the City Council get in
| your own buggy and cross Main
ST., at an angle Of 60 degrees or
less, selecting a point (which eau
| be easily found) where the rail
| is from one to three inches higher
than the surface of the street,
you will realize by so doing that
/ the inner rim of your wheel will
cling to the hard smooth surface
of the rail and skid or slide and
most likely at the expense of a
few spokes or a collapsed wheel
altogether. Should the guard
rail protrude, being Of soft cy.
press the edge of the wheel would
catch and roll smoothly over. The
| soul intention Of the guard rail
being to protect the wheels Of
vehicles from actxXith thfF
steel rail. If q k( foperls
surfaced and nd the
necessity Of guard rails 4s elm.
mated as they have no function
other to perform.
i Now l am quite sure the Coun.
Gil of our little City will bear me
out in the following. That if the
Southwestern Traction and Pow.
cr Co. featuring the if) had moi
already had about four months
and numerous requests to surface
| up their track along West Main
Street (which was promised most
faithfully in their franchise) OF
). We shown the slightest DISPOSE.
ton to fill in with any old ma.
terial and lessen the inconven.
Z fence, the owners of vehicles
are now experiencing, the idea
Of an ordinance demanding guard
rails would never have occurred.
The surfacing on West Main
Street that is now being done by
the Southwestern Traction and
Power Co., is a credit indeed and
if it be continued l, (nor do
think the Council) can but agree
with you that the guard rail is
unnecessary. The Trolley has
become a necessity. The news
paper has always been necss-
sity and the Council should be,
even if the newspaper, the Trolley
and the numerous compliments
who are continually airing their
complaints to the City Fathers
relative to the hump backed con-
dition of the present track, don t
think so.
| Suppose you and /, friend edi-
tor agree to be charitable and in
stead Of accusing the Council of
installing q buggy smashing ap-
/ paratus along their Main Street
try to think that they are con-
scieniously trying to answer the
demands Of the people.
And really tho noronr%oro ~