The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-16
PEOPLES COLUMN
The Star-Indepcndent docs not
make itself responsible for opinions
expressed in this column.


Editor, the Star-lndependent:
Dear Sir:-The announced purpose
of the Pennsylvania Railroad to build
foot bridge over its tracks at Division
street and thereby give a new entrance
to Wildwood park does not entirely
meet with the approval of ALI the peo-
pie of the West End. For many years
numbers of residents of this section of
the city have believed they have not
received the same consideration from
Councils in the matter OF city improve
ments that other sections of the city
have received Whether this is true or
not of the past we are thoroughly con-
get in touch with the railroad people
at this time so that this bridge may be
of some benefit to the public at large
as well as the employees of the railroad
company
Undoubtedly this is the primary mo-
tive for the construction of a foot
bridge by the railroad company and
insofar as it goes is a worthy one, but
it is not meeting the sentiment that
was experienced through the West End
Improvement Association for a subway.
The people of the West End have be-
come convinced that for park privilege
and Fairgrounds they must look to
Wildwood park. They have not been
unmindful of the natural beauty as well
as the possibilities that are offered
there as an outing spot. The question
of expense for proper approaches,
walks and Fairgrounds have always
been considered and accepted as suf-
ficient reasons for delay, but with the
beginning by the railroad company of
a structure for the purpose of eliminat-
ing the dangers of a grade crossing for
their employees we believe some consid-
GRAFTON should be given to the pro-
nounced wishes of the people for better
facilities to get to Wildwood, and if
for economic reasons the railroad COM
pany feels that it cannot construct a
subway at this time, then the subject
should be taken up by the city authori-
ties and the bridge built so that it will
serve the dual purpose of being a bene-
fit to the workmen as well as their
wives ami children. In the latter we
are especially interested in securing for
them proper crossing.
Such foot bridge without easy ap-
proaches would be useless to them for
the Western End. Doubtless the com
panv could be prevailed upon to erect
an easy approach, but the Eastern End
by reason of the height of the railroad
above the park would result in an ele-
walton of about fifty feet above the
road that skirts the park and about
sixty feet above the park level. 1t
wouh require approximately seventy
five steps to descend from the bridge.
Can You wonder at feeling of re-
sentiment being aroused at such make
shift?
To correct this we believe it would
be but fair to the people of this section
of the citl that City Council should
continue the foot bridge across the
swamp and creek to point near the
driveway in the park. Constructed of
steel on concrete footings, the cost
would not greatly exceed the building
of a bridge and constructing a roadsbed
through the marsh as is now proposed,
but should the expense be greater the
benefit obtained would be of so much
greater value that it would justify the
city in doing so. With the walk from
Maclay street along Paxton creek i'm
proved and few benches scattered
along it modern foot bridge at Di-
vision street with proper approaches,
the West End would have brought
within their reach one of the finest out
ing spots in Central Pennsylvania.
The writer visited this section of the