The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-05-01
While the Committees are Out.


Now that the city has instituted its
suit against the railroads for the opening
OF the street, or rather for joining across
the railroad property OF the eastern and
western sections OF Church street in a
continuous and uninterrupted street and
thereby eliminate the distractions at the
railroad crossing to conform to the lines
OF the street, would it not be well, even
at this stage OF the game, to speculate a
little as to the outcome and what would
be the best thing to be had in the case.
The writer signed the petition for the
opening OF the street because we believed
majority OF the citizens wanted it..
The fact that we had pass did not in
terfere with what we considered duty.
But our private opinion has never been
changed 10 the least as to what would
be the best for the people OF Union City.
We advocated some time ago the
elimination Of the grade crossing, and II
this could be done now in the way Of a
compromise we believe it would be the
thing to do. The Commercial is not
trying to start anything, but simply
asking that the matter be considered for
what it Is worth. The suit for the open
ing OF the street may not cost but few
thousand dollars, as has been suggested,
but it is more likely that It will cost
more than we have anticipated The
settling OF differences by law usually
cost more than anyone figures on. But
say that the suit will not cost more than
five or six thousand dollars.
Would it not be we'll to consider what
could be secured with a compromise for
that amount OF money. II we could get
the railroads to agree to give US via
duct under the crossing without raising
the tracks and arrange for its drainage
Mt a cost not to exceed for our part the
sum OF five or six thousand dollars, give
us fine $25, 600 depot located on the
present site or in fact covering more OF
the site, and the NJ. 40. Railroad Com
pany local morning passenger train
from Kentucky points to strengthen our
trade. would it not be infinitely better
than to press the suit and estrange our
business relations with these two roads.
Mind you, we know that the Railroad
Commission can hold The railroads in
check so that extreme measures can not
he taken, but why not have their good
will and cooperation in the matter OF
contributing to our commercial interests,
when this good viii can be obtained. II
possible, with something, we take 1t,
fhat d better than what we are suing
for. II the companies would give US q
viaduct, we assuming one-third the cost
not to exceed five or six thousand dol.
lars. this viaduct for general traffic
through this street. handsome and
commodious depot above and better
train facilities from Kentucky stations,
wcpld Il not be better than any advan-
taaes tlat can be had at the end OF .
law suit, perhaps costing no more than
the viaduct aud possibly great deal
mores We submit this proposition as
compromise. assuming that it might be
possible 10 get the railroad companies to
favor il.
Would ii not be better, far better,
than i continuous view from one end OF
che street to the other, which Is not
adding anything at all but beauty lines.
Would il not be better to eliminate
the risk o. grade crossing TO save she