New Britain herald., 1916-12-21

alleged lack Of proper protection at grade crossings and lack of proper service, after which he was author
 ized to appoint a special citizens
 com mmittee of five to act with the council railroad committee and the 4c6fporation counsel in an effort to xsecure immedia relief. The mayor was likewise instructed to secure 'n4n option on property owned by the
 National Spring Bed company for the | proposed widening of Lake street at
 cost not to exceed 5000. Another Rmportant action of the council was that which now makes the long ksought south end part a reality. The regular meeting of the council was preceded by 2 special meeting at
 which Abraham Gorbach, William c.
 Hya]i and G. Robert Merriman were officially elected as councilmen from kthe sixth, third and fourth wards re- i kspectively.
 Mayors Message. The mayors message is herewith
 Printed cO1nplete:-
 Recalls Recent Tragedy. Ehe unfortunate accident at tho Washington street railroad crossing, In which one of our respected citi- zens lost his life. has determined me Ia asking your honorable body to ktake action to immediately remedy
 conditions at this crossing and to re-
 quest that you take up the problems
 rraSented through the lack of pro- te4Gon at steam railway crossings and kthe antiouated service rendered by Pthe, electric street railway company. 5Narrow escapes from injury and
 death at railway crossings are almost of daily occurrence. complaints are constantly being made by our citi- } zens regarding the facilities accorded
 the public by the electric street rail- Away company and I believe it is time That a drastic, comprehensive plan be evaved which will tend to the safety, fcomfort and convenience of our citi- zens.
 hesitate to recommend to your honorable body any changes until I 4problems from the legal and engin- eeTing side.
 Many suggestions have been of kfered regarding protection at the $srade crossing. such as towers at all ! crossings, bells as well as gates so kthat gatemen would have ample
 warning of the approach of trains, confning the yard limits, compelling ! rains to slow down to a certain speed | Sat the beginning of the yard limits, etc, but. as I have said before. I would rather have the whole subject tharoughly investigated and a com prehensive plan evolved which will afford us the desired protection and kthen carry the plan through. Straiehtcr Lake Street at Once. will, however. recommend to yyour honorable body that the report 1 of the board of compensation and ! assessment commission on the change of street lines of Lake street from High to Washington street be taken froin the table and that the board of public works be requested to make an estimate of the expense necessary to carry out the change and that the board of public works include this ' item in next years estimate when Ythey present their estimates before the finance commission.
 Trolley Service Condemned. I1 regard to the electric street rail- way service, I know from observation and experience that the system is kobsolete and inadequate.
 q need not go into the danger, lack of comfort and inconvenience Of lilapidated rolling stock, OvercroWd- ed cars. schedules which are merely | schedules on paper and to which little attention is paid by the management, the running of cars at dangerous rate of speed across intersectlng streets and the lack of a comprehen- sive plan Of trolley extensions. the latter of which is seriously retard1ne the proper growth of the city and tending to create a bad housing con- A aition with it's attendant evils.
 Tn bringing to your attention, Of l acfally the lack of protection afford ed the public at railroad grade cross 1 Ings in this city and the condition l of the service of the electric stree railway, it is with the hope that you honorable body will immediately con i sider the many phases of this problen l m their relation to pubic safety l coRfort, convenience and take sucl
 action as will afford immediate re
 lief.
 1 Too long has New Britain procras
 tinated; it is time that we. as one ] the most important cities in Nev
 England, made a determined effort t Rsecure for our citizens proper pro \ teetion at steam railroad grade cross 8 lngs and an adequate street railwa B system.
 D Ii is a notorious fact that bot
 inc electric street railway compan \ and the steam railroad company hay
 p been utterly indifferent to the safety \ comfort and convenience of our c1t1 R zens and the travelling public.
 For the past three years nav | given much thought to these prop \ enis and, in cooperation With you \ honorable body, public officials an \ citizens have endeavored to 1mproV ! conditions. Our efforts have not pee
 drowned with success
 Wants Citizens Committee.