Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-28
CRAWFORD FIGHT
IS AGAIN HEARD
Plans for Grade Crossing Elim-
ination Before Utility
Board.

The Board of Public Utility Com
missioners yesterday afternoon heard
arguments and reserved decision on
their approval or disapproyal of plans
submitted to them for the proposed
elimination of the Central railroad
grade crossing at Union avenue, Gran
ford. The hearing was held in the
Kinney building in this city. Several
objecting property owners and coun-
sci We're present.
The railroad officials and the off,
Gals of the Borough of Crawford are
agreed that the crossing should be
eliminated, and are in favor of the
plan submitted to gain this end. The
property owners in that vicinity are
also in favor of the elimination. but
not in the way provided for in the
plan submitted.
The plan which was submitted by
the railroad and borough officials as
being about the best to adopt shows
a park development at that point
near the Crawford station, new
street and a wide and safe approach
to the station. A five per cent. grade
at the crossing is also shown In the
plans.
Berkeley c. Austin, borough coun-
sci of Crawford, opened the argument
before the commissioners yesterday
afternoon. Mr.. Austin spoke but a
few minutes. He asked that the board
approve the plan submitted. He said
that the railroad and borough off,
Gals had practically agreed on the
plan before the board, known as plan
No 6, which provided for slight
elevation of the railroad tracks and a
depression of the street to the east of
the station. MIR. Austin stated that
the part of the land in the vicinity of
the proposed change was situated in
the residential section of the town,
and that in making change this
fact would have to be taken into con-
sideration.
Calls Plan Eyesore.
Mr.. Austin said that the plan be-
fore the board provided for an elimi-
nation of the crossing in way that
the result would not be an eyesore
to the neighborhood.
George j. Holmes, counsel for the
Central railroad, then spoke from tile
railroads side of the question. He
said in part:
I'm order to go about this matter
in the right way it is necessary to
consider the future" He then eX-
planned the reason for the present
railroad grade crossings by explain
ing the evolution of railroading since
its start
IF the railroad officials in years
gone by, when railroading began in
earnest, could have foreseen what
would happen, they would have elm
mated the railroad crossings when
they first built the roads. Speaking
of the benefit derived from the elimi-
nation of the crossing by the railroad,
it means that the through trains at
this point can go at greater rate of
speed and thus save a few miles an
hour on the running schedule without
the great danger that prohibited this
heretofore
Heavy Cost to Railroad.
AS the elimination of this cross
ing will cost the railroad quite n bit
of money, and as they have to stand
about all of it, 1T looks as though the
company is going to lose money on
it unless the Improvement of the land
at this point, with its added railroad
facilities and the Identification of the
surrounding property brings an added
population to Crawford which will
probably mean added business for the
railroad in future years.
1.-THE Identification of the site by a