The Detroit times., 1915-07-20
PERE MARQUETTE and
WABASH WILL GUARD ALL
GRADE CROSSINGS HERE

As one big result of the tragedy
at Green-ave. and the Pere Mar.
quette railroad. July I. whom Q train
struck an automobile. killing Joseph
Fabyszak. his wife, Nettie. and Miss
Olga Iwinski. the Pere Marquette
and Wabash railroads will install
safety devices at all their crossings
within the city limits. where the
crossings are not now protected.
The work Of installation will begin
Immediately. When completed.
every crossing OF these two roads
In the city will be safeguarded day
and night. every hour Of the "a.
These facts were made known by
Frederick b. Brown. attorney for
the Pere Marquette. at the inquest
into the deaths Of the three persons
killed. before Coroner Rothacher.
Monday morning. II shows conclu.
sively that the state railroad COM
mission has been fnally aroused to
q realisation OF the necessity for
the more eficient safeguarding OF
grade crossings in Detroit.
Since the inquest was begun last
Thursday. Mr.. Brown stated, George
e. Williams. superintendent Of the
Fort-st. Union Depot Co., and an In.
spector for the railroad commission.
have been going over the situation
thoroughly. presumably under the
direction OF Commissioner Cunning.
ham. and while no formal order has
been issued by the railroad com
mission. the roads are already 60
ing forward with their preparations
to. protect the crossings.
At some of them gates will be
placed. At others wig-wag and bell
signal. and nagman will be stationed
wherever II is considered necessary.
At the moro dangerous crossings all
three OF these precautions will be
taken.
So whatever may be the verdict
OF the jury in the pending case. the
inquest has been already very far
reaching IN IT'S results.
MIR. Williams again took the
stand when the inquest was re-
sumed. Monday.
, Questioned by Assistant Prosecu.
tor Keidan. he said that the cross
ing sign at Green-ave. had not been
painted because the company q
painters were on the road and came
+. up this way only once year. The
1 sign at this particular crossing was
; last painted In 1918. he said.
did you say 1887 queried Mr..
. Keidan.
mo, 1919"
Mr.. williams said that the Detroit
Terminal Co. had received no or
ders from the railroad commission
to install safety devices at Green.
ave. II IL had. the order would have
been complied with Immediately, he
said.
In the last year and half the
only safety devices ordered by the
commission were installed at Wa
terman-ave. and one other crossing
name OF which he could not re-
member. The waterman-ave. cross
ing has what il known as a wig-wae
s,snal. a new contrfvance which he
regards as more efYicacious than a
watchman. In the day time a board
swinRs back and forth and a bell
rings when a train IL approaching
Az night the signal works In the
same manner. with the additional
precaution that the word stop" 10
dashed in q red globe on the sway
Ing board.
witness volunteered the informa'
ton that during the auto show on
West Jeflerson-ave.. last winter. the
comoany. of its own volition. put on
a night Waterman because OF the
heavy trafnc.
Mr.. williams declared that many
~utomobilists take the crossing reck.
lessly. driving from Is tn 26 miles
An hour. He took the position that
A. vas IN to the motorist to take
every precaution before attempting
70 cross.
Hasn't Q man driving an antonio
bile a much right on that crossing
an your trains!" demanded Mr.
Keidan.
"rhat II q question Of law"
but what II your idea"
~ think not. unless he nrst taxes
ne proper precautions. We can'