Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-21

ton, and the public utilities COM
mission figures that geo automatic sig
nails will be required which at $500 will
amount to s450.000. Four years are CIV
en- in which to have all the automatic
signals installed. The act covering
this matter was passed by the last
legislature as ar emergency measure.
Preference for early protection Win ne
given to the more dangerous crossings,
and hearings for land damages will
be held in all sections of the state dur
ing the month of June,
After designating the crossings,
which must be protected, the Utilities
Commission, in it's order covering the
matter. issued Saturday says:
las to crossings of steam railroads.
this law imposes upon the municipal
officers the duty to remove obstruc-
lions when by so doing. a clear view
from and in every direction may be
had; other concealed or partially con-
ccaled crossings and approaches are to
be improved by the railroad compan-
les. AS to crossings of electric rail-
roads, such distractions are to be re-
moved by the municipal officers wher-
ever clear view may he obtained
from or in one or more directions.
, This order will relate only to cross
ings Of steam railroads. During the
summer of 1916. Mr.. Elmer f. Park
| man, inspector of utilities. made a
. careful survey Of all steam railroad
crossings ir the State The informa-
ton secured has since been tabulated
and we now designate those crossings
IN With
visions Of Section two Of the act. The
right is reserved to the public as we'll
as to persons having direct interest in
the subject matter to be heard on
special application. whether to show
that error has been made in the in
clusion of certain crossings in this list,
or in the omission of other crossings
which ought to he included
But such application must he reas-
onably made: we will not suspend or
modify this order without specific de-
cree and will be received. heard. in
vestigated and otherwise dealt with in
such manner as the commission NAV
direct No subsequent order or modi-
fication Of an order will invalidate any
work done under an order previously
made and before contrary notice is
given to the persons charged with its
execution. To this extent this desir
nation is not to he regarded as final,
put subject to revision in accordance
with the fact at any time.
To Municipal Officers,
The Public Utilities Commission
Saturday sent the following letter 10
all the municipal officers in the state
ho
other instructions:
III der the provisions of Section two
OF chapter 145 of the Public Laws IF
1917, the public utilities commission
has designated the crossings which
by the removal Of bushes, trees. fenc-
es, sign boards or encroachments, a fair
view of all such crossings NAV he oh
tanned.
You VIII note that it is the duty NJ
municipal officers, when by order d;-
rected so to do by the public utilities
commission, to trim, cut down or 70
move certain Instructions and on
croachments. You will also observe
that notice of 10 days is to he piver
to interested persons before anv worL
Is done. This is assumed to mean that
the municipal officers, before enteri,,
upon private property, shall servo q
notlce upon the owner of such nro,
erty, giving him information of what v
to be done. -
1T is not to be. assumed that
discretion exists in the municin., of
hcers. The law requires this connis-
SION TO order the things done wb,o,,
arg 10 De 6cne at each particr1.r
crossing and the municipal officers arc
to Immediately give the 10 DAYS. notioe
ana at the expiration thereof are ~ A.
the things ordered. The law nro,,;a
that II any person Is damaged h. -
a right TO have his DANA ,sso,s
by this commission. The mun;c;naI 30
hcers are simply to carry out the ~
der OF this commission. 1t is des;r.t',.
that municipal officers shall d.
little damage as possible and sh.r '
SO rar as is reasonable. arransa ,,,,.,
the owner OF private property n h.,n
the work done so as to cre.t. , ,
iricuon and leave as little permanent
INJURY as possible. But. at Tho go
time, the order of the commiss;o, -. -.
be complied with. must
The principal object to be oh+.,ns
ny the cleaning up Of these cross;.ea
Is TO make them safe during the 80
ent automobile season. 1t is thereror.
necessary that municipal officers s,,n',
act promptly. No person has r;n1.
to obstruct or interfere with ~ 81
Torrance Of any act a,,th..s Pei