The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-12-16
KILL THREE WITHIN A WEEK
Federal Judge Declares That He Will
Force Company to Operate Cars at
Rate of Eight Miles an Hour Where
Crossings are not Protected.

With record of three fatalities at
the grade crossings and the unprotect-
ed crossings Of the Chicago and Mil
waukee Electric road within a week,
Judge Kennesaw M. Lands Of the fed
eral court, declared on Sunday evening
that he would take a hand in the regu-
lation of the speed of the trains on the
electric lines in hopes that better pro-
lection to human life could be assured.
On last Thursday morning G. g.
Schulze Of Kenosha was killed on an
unprotected crossing of the line, on
the same afternoon Mrs. John Doring
was killed at Glencoe and on Sunday
James I'll. Cliffor was killed at the
Glencoe crossing where Mrs. Doring
met death earlier in the week.
President Albert McRae of the vii
lage Of Glencoe promptly issued an or
der demanding that all cars Of the COM
pany be operated at a speed of not
more than eight miles an hour through
the village of Glencoe and at once
took the matter up with Judge Lands,
holding that the operation of the road
was subject to regulation in the fed
eral court on account of the fact that
this court is now handling the receiv-
ership of the company.
The experience of Glencoe in seeking
crossing protection has been almost
identical with that of Kenosha and it
is thought that the appeal to Judge
Lands will bring immediate relief and
force the company to operate cars at a
low rate of speed until such a time as
crossing gates are installed to protect
the lives of the people.
Mr.. McRae, president of the village
board, said members Of the board had
repeatedly asked w. o. Thompson, man
ager for the receiver, to reduce the
speed of trains and install gates, but
that no action had been taken. The
chief of police of Winnetka said ac-
ton would have been taken by him
long ago, but he was afraid he would
be in contempt of court.
Bruce McLeish, chairman Of the
public utilities committee of the board,
notified Mr.. Thompson that drastic
measures would be resorted to if
necessary.
"We have never taken the matter
up with Judge Lands because we felt
road officials were the ones to deal
with said Mr.. McLeish. eFWe mere
ly ask that they cooperate in reduc-
ing the chance of accidents Two
months ago we asked that the trains be
brought to stop at each crossing I'M
Gil gates are installed Following the
accident last week, we again requested
that the trains be brought to stop.
Mr.. Thompson said he would have to
take that matter up with the board
OF directors and the receiver, but prom
Used the speed at crossings would be
reduced to eight miles. We told him
then that if we couldn't get better
cooperation we would use drastic meas
ures, even to the extent of taking
motormen from trains and locking them
up told him so again today and he
said that he would put the eight miles
an hour order into effect at once.'
The transportation committee of the
Kenosha common council will at once
get in touch with the village board at
Glencoe and offer to cooperate in any
way possible in securing a court order
against the future operation of the
cars of the company at rates of speed
dangerous to the lives of the people Of
the north shore cities.