The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-25
BY AB0LISHING GRADE CROSS
INGs OF RAILROADS AND
HIGHWAYS ACCIDENT
IMPOSSIBLE.
IMPROVE THE ROADS
Legislatures and Railroad Companies
in Eastern States Cooperate to
Bring About the Desired
Condition.

The large number of accidents at
grade crossings throughout the coun-
try has resulted in some states In
the subject being taken into the
legislatures, and steps are being
taken to eliminate the dangerous
grade crossings. 1t Is recognized
everywhere that the only real way to
eliminate the crossing accident is to
eliminate the crossing. Gates, warn
ing bells and fiagmen have been used
In many places, but Notwithstanding
these precautions many of the very
worst accidents have happened at
these supposedly protected crossings.
State and municipal authorities
together with railroad officials are
taking up the subject jointly, and
plans are under way to abolish many
grade crossings the coming year.
The serious consideration being given
this question is interesting automo-
bilists more than perhaps any other
class. In touring the country they
appreciate the necessity of either
elevating or depressing railroad
tracks where they interseet high
ways.
The following account taken from
the Chicago Record-Herald, will give
an idea of the work in eastern states.
According to reports received dur
ing the past week by the Touring
Club of America, Massachusetts,
Connecticut and New Jersey lead
the eastern states in the abolish
ment of grade crossings, while New
York is beginning to realize that
decisive action must be taken to Sc
cure adequate appropriations for
this purpose. Included in an ag-
gressive legislative campaign which
recently has been adopted by the
board of governors of the touring
club is recommendation that at the
present legislative session 100000
be appropriated by the Empire State
which would make available about
100000 In addition, thereby en-
abling the Iublic service commission
to proceed with contracts for e]inIi-
nation work, which is urgent, esp .cial
ly in New York City, where during
the past year nearly twice as many
persons were killed as compared
with the casualties in 1910.
Highway officials in several states
have recently fled report with the
touring club outlining their plans fo1
eliminating dangerous crossings al
grade, and there is no question but
with the many influences which ART
being exerted by state authorities
heads of municipalities and civic or
ganization that this year mil]:ou.
of dollars will be expended ia TIL.
work.
The attitude of the department o.
highways Of New York in regard t,
abolishing grade crossings is in
dicated IN report sent to the Tour
ing Club of America by c.. Gordo,
Reel, superintendent Of highways
which states:
eve have about thirty Of tn
grade crossing eliminatious now un
der way and the policy Of the depar
ment is to eliminate every possibl
crossing. We hope In time to arriv
at a point where no state route vii
be projected over grade crossing
At the present time owing 10 tn
limited smPunt of funds a.vailabl
for grade crossing eliminations, thu
is not possible"
Governor Dix is in sympathy wit
the movement to secure an appropris
ton from the state for the elimins
ton of grade crossings and in b;
recent message to the legislature o
this important subject said:
ssThe increasing frequency of acc
dents at grade highway crossings O
steam railroads, the peril and incor
venience to which the public an
subjected at such crossings, the u
creasing traffic upon both the raj
roads and highways urgently d
mand that liberal appropriation
should be made to carry on the Hor
- eliminating sueh crossings. Their