The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-04-26
AN APPEAL FOR CROSSINGS.

r. G. Morgan, division superintend-
ent of the Great Northern railroad,
was over the road to the front last
Friday, on one of his frequent trips of
inspection. While here he was ap-
preached and interviewed by a number
of residents upon the subject of street
crossings, over the right-of-way, and
while he is in no position to promise|
or pass finally upon the subject OF such
crossings, he treated his interviewersl
court eOuSly and recognizing the ne
ceSsit! OF some provision for supply-
ing the deficiency in road crossings
realized that the tine has come whenl
such concession must be granted by|
the road
Oroville is singularly and unfortu-
nately situated as to means for cross
ing the right-of-way and tracks of the|
railroad. Straight across the valley
frO.n he Okanogan to the Similkameen|
river. east and west, stretches the|
rails, not only the main line, but sev-|
eral long side tracks, bisecting the|
town leaving two distinct north andI
south divisions, division of residences
and business even if not division of
common interests. which would bel
closer and more sOlidified were therel
easy means of crossing the tracks and
getting together. At the present time, !
and a condition that has existed since
the town was located, the only con-,
nectiOn between the two halves of the
town by road Is the crossing some dis
tance west OF the depot. That crossing
is inadequate, inconvenient, out of the
wa.v, and so rough as to be perpetual
annoyance. There is grade on both
sides reaching to the road bed, with
bumpy ridges of rails after the grade
is surmounted. Not even is there a
foot way provided for the accommo.
datiOn of pedestrians at any point
along the line within the corporate lm-
it's. Scores and scores of people, in
Guiding school children, are compelled
to ross the numerous rails at the de
pot every day, and there is an awk
warl step down and up, off and on the
platform, in making this crossing. The
convenience and accommodation OF
the public has never been so neglected
by railroad company anywhere in
the state, and some relief should be
con .eded by the big corporation. The
residents of the town have been pa
tient patient beyond the limits of Or
dinary submission, but there is a limit
to patience. even the most passive pa
tience.
If Oroville is to make the growth
that there Is every reason to expect
there must be an easier and more
handy means OF communication be-
tween the north and south parts of
town. 1t is the general belief, strngth
ened by prospective extensive i'm
pronements, that the time is at hand
when expansion is to commence, and
the establishment of crossings over
the railroad right-of-way will aid in
and expedite that growth. The condi'
ton as it is cannot continue much
longer. 1t is a detriment, a drawback
to the town. There is no disposition
on the part of the public to work
hardship on the railroad, that is plain
ly shown by the manner in which the
residents have so long submitted to
the present arrangement, but the time
has come when the railroad authori-
ties must take cognizance of the un-
pleasant and Objectionable situation
and grant some concessions to this
long suffering community. An appeal
will be made to Superintendent Nor
gan to use his influence with the
powers that be to grant the request of
the people of Oroville to provide a
more convenient and central means of
communication between the two sec
tiOns of the town