Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-22

plcyClo IelI III IEOut Oh d car, OHS peA.
son was killed in automobile collision.
and one employee in a substation was
electrocuted."
The report discusses grade crossing
conditions at considerable length. The
commission published through the
newspapers Of the State an appeal to
the municipal officers Of the several
towns and cities first to expend the
money annually required to be spent
in the removal of bushes from the
roadside in the removal Of those near
grade crossings. A request was also
sent to the several steam railroad COM
panies urging their cooperation with
the municipal authorities, particularly
by clearing their own rights of way
at such points.
In this connection the report calls at
tention generally to the frequency OF
automobile accidents in the highways,
not only at grade crossings, but at
other points. due to narrow roads with
frequent turns and many cross roads.
or entering roads, where the view is
INSTRUCTED. or the presence Of the
crossing not known until the automo-
bilist is close upon it. 1t recommends
protective legislation along lines work.
ed out in other New England states,
and specifically suggests that signs be
placed on our highways. where a dan
gerous turn Is shortly to be met with,
or where a crossroad, or entering road.
is a short distance away and some
what obscured. and particularly where
a railroad crosses highway at grade.
Such signs should have at the very
top some startling device to notify the
traveller that a railroad crossing is
near, or cross. or entering. road, or a
dangerous curve. Signs and devices
for this purpose are becoming stand
ardized in neighboring states. and
travellers in this State would quickly
become accustomed to them.
The commission has been making a
special study of the grade crossing sit
uation. The engineering and inspec-
ton departments have been co-operat-
ing In the compilation Of a crossing
survey Ito determine the actual condi-
ton at each grade crossing operated by
the steam and electric railroads" pro-
curing data on the traffic, distractions.
and estimated cost Of removal Of the
same. One visible and audible signal
has been installed under the direction
of the commission at very important
crossing. and it's work is being watched
to determine whether it may be used
generally where 1t is not practicable
to eliminate the grade crossing. This
device consists of signal which may
be seen both by day and by night, and
bell which rings continuously while
any part of an approaching train is
within 1000 feet of the crossing. 1t is
used extensively in the West, and in
quiries made of commissions of other
states ELECTED very favorable reports.
Music Festival and Teachers conven-
ton.
| The report refers to the controversy
which arose in relation to railroad
| fares for those attending the last an
nual convention of the Maine Teachers
Association in Bangor. II states that
it's members felt that they were en-
titled at least to the less than ordina
ry-eXcursion rates given by the rail-
roads to those attending the Maine
Music Festivals. Some railroads asked
for, and received, the approval of spec
|
charity or benevolence, because Of their
educational character. They did not
submit for approval similarly reduced
rates for the Teachers Convention
The officers of the latter made an in
formal complaint to the commission
and full discussion with the operat-
ing managers of the railroads was had
The Commission cannot establish re.
duced, or less than regular rates fOl
charitable or benevolent purposes. Eacl
utilitys, like every individuals, chart
ties are matters for it to initiate. Blu,
the commission can refuse to approve
such reductions, and will do SO where
an injustice or an inequality is persist
ed in. The railroad management wa:
advised that the commission saw M
reason why those who attended tn,
teachers convention should not receive
rates as low at least as those who at.
tended the musical festival: and that
if the railroads felt they could make ;
concession to the musical festival
they ought in fairness to make thu
same concession to the teachers con
vention. AS result Of the conference
we are assured that the railroads will
lIIlIlleulGtely attempt STANDARDIZATION
or classification Of all special events
and will hereafter charge to all falling
within the same class the same rate 70
special transportation"
Physical Valuation.
The commission has the power, an,
it is it's duty when necessary for tn
fixing of rates. to make a physical val
uation of the property Of the publ
utilities. In some Of the states unde
commission regulation large sums o
money have been expended in genera
appraisals under similar acts. From
lack of authoritative judicial construc
ton, confusion as to correct principles
and other causes incident to exploiting
new icld, very much of this expen
diture has been useless or withou
commensurate results.
An IDEA of the money cost involve
in this work may be had from tn
railroad reports published in this vol
ume. The Maine Central Railroa
Company spent in connection with val
uation work under the direction Of tn
Interstate Commerce Commission dur
ing the year ending June 80. 1915, $42,
1924, the Bangor & Aroostook Rail
road Company, $S,9S5.72. and the Bos
ton & Maine Railroad $135,53856, Tn