Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-07-30
SAFETY FIRST.


ouette Railroad and despite directions
from the State Railroad Commission,
and in the fact of public sentiment
which brooks no such form of financial
retrenchment it has made certain
changes which endangers life and
property in the city of Alma besides
causing a maximum degree of incon-
yenience. During his administration
as mayor J. NJ. Montigel spent much
time and effort i'm attracting the at
tention of the State Railroad Commits
sion toward the conditions which eX-
listed in Alma Besides maintaining
a depot which was an insult to the
community the company had been
furnishing no protection whatever for
the public even at the principal cross
ings. When the matter was finally
brought to the attention Of the govern
ING board their decision was quickly
made, and quickly enforced. Among'
other changes ordered a fiagman was
to be placed at the Woodwork Ave.
crossing. Reluctantly a flagman was
stationed there.
Monday morning July 20 pursuant
to the orders of the Pere Marquette
the fiagman was relieved of his duties.
Just where the company secured their
authority, or rather nerve, to dis
regard the dictum of the Commission
is a mystery. Figures giving the num-
Der of pedestrians, both man and We
hicles using this crossing have been
given in the Record and disprove the
statement of the company that flag
man was an unnecessary safeguard TO
traffic. The very position of the cross
ing. with dwellings closely adjoining
on two sides, with much used switch
on another side and an elevator shut
ting off every possible view from the
other side speaks more loudly than
words of the crying need of material
protection at this point of the track.
Perhaps, parents feel that it Is per-
fectly safe for their children to use
this crossing freely; perhaps the or
binary walker, or the ordinary driver
of car or horse feels perfectly safe
in approaching this crossing-but we
strongly doubt it.
Along with this resort to economy
the company ordered the depot to be
closed at midnight and to remain
closed until six a. m. despite the fact
that two scheduled passenger trains
discharge and take on passengers dur
ing these hours. Probably breaking a
custom of fifteen years standing
means nothing to the company, but
the discontinue and absolute danger
to health of waiting for a train in the
open and under no roof at that time
of the night or morning are factors
which should cause immediate atten-
ton from the public's only tangible
and legal weapon, the State Railroad
Commission. BY placing benches out
side the depot Mr.. f. c. Crandell of
Crandell and Scott has done all in his
power to assist the Pere Marquette,
but we can hardly expect the genial
furniture dealer to build waiting
room for the citizens of Alma beside
the TeIe MaIQuttle lIdChS.
The target which is at the imme-
date junction of the two tracks on
State st. will be controlled in the
future at the foot Of the pole on which
it is placed and not at the depot. Ac-
commodating newsboys, or the least
busiest men in the vicinity usually
tend to the signaling, for the primary
duty of the baggageman is to take
care of the baggage and not to run
down the street a block or two to sig
nal the coming trains. The company
might at least give an excursion, and
picnic thrown in, to the accommodate
ing newsboys. They merit it.
Last but not least of the p. Ms in.
novations is that which provides that
the services of baggageman may
be foregone on Sunday, and that the
ticket agent shall juggle the trunks
grips and milk cans while making the
change. We can imagine that one
man could perform these duties as 6
single job in a town the size of Paine:
Junction-but he can't at Alma, anC
still give even pardonable service
ripping COINS and Tipping trunks are
two distinct things.
Perhaps these changes have beer
made at the instance of p. M. bond
holders who were caught in the mael
strom of high finance and are goinf
down with weather worn craft, bu
that fact should have no bearing will
the men who are directing the destin
les of a public service corporation
And, unless, satisfaction is gained b!
the city of Alma by the force of it
public opinion the only means left il
to call the aid Of the Railroad Com
mission which will speedily right tn
several wrongs.
Verne Rogers, Walter Vogt AM
Reed Simpson went to Saginaw Sun