New Britain herald., 1916-12-12
BETTER FACILITIES
 AT R. R. CROSSINGS
(COnt1nued From First Paee).

Ioh street crossing Saturday sent Fireman Claughsey into eternity ex- planned that switching train ob- scured his view and he had no warn ing that the express was near. Had there been a tower at that point in stead of the ground-level shanty, it is believed that the accident would not nave taken place. As a result of their investigation. officials, police and others, says they are convinced that the railroad is largely responsible, in stead of Jones'
 Those who have made a study of conditions point to the railroad as dis couraglng, through the wage-scale and hours, applications from the bet ter class of men, ordinarily, and those competent to properly guard the lives and property of those who have to use the crossings many times daily. Com pared with the s3 or s4 a day that Is being paid common laborers for eight or ten hours work, the gatetenders receive about $1.65 for twelve hours work.
 The city government and chamber of commerce will not, it is believed and 1ntlmated, take no action rela- tive to the wage scale or hour regu- 1ations but will insist that the cross ings be made safe. If New Britain has got to have xhe ever dangerous grade crossings, it will be insisted that all proper safety regulations be in stalled and that they shall not con- tinue to be veritable death traps. Tn their petition to the New Haven road, asking that the provisions go in to effect May of this year, the gate tenders asked, among other things that ten hours, instead of twelve, con- stitute a days work and that the wage scale be $2.25 a day, instead of $1.65 a day, at, a fraction of less than thirteen cents an hour. Through Judge John H. Kirkham, their coun- sel they asked that all over ten hours be considered overtime and payable at a rate of twenty-five cents an hour.
 Two of the men, working at difficult and busy crossings, then working nine hours regularly per day at $1.65 per day asked that there be an increase to $2.25 per day of nine hours with twenty-five cents overtime.
 They further asked that: At cross 1ngs where the view is obstructed by cars on sidings, the house provided for the watchmans use, be built high enough so men in charge can have a clear view over the tops of such cars at all times, for any movement that may approach the crossing in either direct
 "At crossings where buildings ob- struct the view, as we'll as other ob- jects, a signal system of some kind be installed to warn the man in charge that the crossing IS being approached. This is also necessary because of fog and storm"
 The men also asked that windows in crossing houses that are so placed as to partly prevent the view of the crossing be so changed to a position as to give clear view at all times.
 Relative to the petition Mayor Quig ley wrote to Judge Kirkham at that time as follows
 April 20, 1916. MT. John H. kirkham,
 City.
 Dear Sir:
 "I have read over a copy of the petition which you are to present to the N Y. N. H. & H. R. R. company in behalf of the gate tenders and I feel that they are justified in asking for a change in the number of work ing hours, also for an increase in pay, I had no idea that the gatetenders were paid so little and had to work so many hours.
 'The city's interest in this matter is that the crossings be properly pro- tected.
 If a man is compelled to give twelve hours a day to this work he is not in a physical condition to give proper attention to protecting the public at these crossings.
 Crossing watchmen should not be required to do other work than pro- tecting the crossings, for, when they required to do other work, they are naturally exposing the public to danger and this should not be per- mitted
 The matter of elevating the tow CTS so that the watchmen will have a clear view over the tops of cars and other instructions is absolutely es- sential to the proper protection of the crossings and is matter that must receive immediate attention from the railroad comrany.
 "I would be very pleased to hear from you as to what reception your petition receives from the railroad company and hope that you will in- form me as soon as possible.
 Very truly yours,
 GEORGE A. QUIGLEY,
 Mayor of New Britain"
 The following communication was received by Mayor Quigley from members of the gatetenders. 'The ] following will explain itself as re- quested by you for your informa- tion
 MT. A. w. HoneywiI, superintend- | ent of Hartford division writes as fol- l lows: Hartford, Conn.,, April "A, 1916. This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 21 with accompanying 1 papers pertaining to petition from gatemen at New Britain for an in l crease in wages. The subject will 1 be given careful consideration
 rba ,bove iS as advised by J. H. 1