Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-17
THE vlApucT HEARING.
General Discussion Held by Railroad
& Officials and Commission. ia

j b = L. .
General discussion on what could be
done to reduce the hazard at the South
Third avenue viaduct crossing to 4
minimum for the time being. and plans
for having the hazard eventually abol-
ished either by extending the viaducs
over the Chicago Great Western tracks
or putting the tracks under the via
duct as 1t now stands. were the SUBJ
jects Of discussion at the meeting OF
Great Western officials. the state rail-
road commission, and committee
from the Marshalltown Club at Des
Moines Tuesday.
The meeting was purely informal, as
the local committee was not prepared
20 state. definitely what the city
wanted done, nor was the railroad
ready to say specifically what would
be done. The commission asked both
sides TO prepare statements of what
each would do. and hold these in readi-
ness for another meeting, at whicf
something definite could be accom-
p;ished. AT Tuesdays meeting, how
ever. each side became thoroughly ac7
Qaainted with conditions. and as re-
suit the local committe Is sure that
the hazard will be minimized.
Present at the meeting were the
members of the commission, John A.
Gniher. chairman; Dwight \. Lewis.
and f. u. Chassei; J. A. Gordon, vice
president and general manager of ths
Chicago Great Western: A. l.. Crais.
general passenger agent and c. G..
Dele, chief engineer. all of Chicago;
George Bristow. assistant general pas
Lot II
Brni,nan, a. A. Moore. S. w. Rubee.
and Sidney johnson. of this city.
The most definite decision reached
at the meeting was the statement Of
General Manager Gordon that tower
would be erected at the foot of the
north approach, In order that the man
on duty as flagman could have clear
view of the top OF the viaduct and the
tracks on either side This. it Is
thought. will reduce the hazard as
much as possible.
Taking up the question of chang
ing the viaduct, the railroad officials
suggested the extending of the VIA
duct up South Third avenue. to go
ever the Great Western tracks. The
local committee stated that this would
he virtually impossible fer some time,
because of the great expense incurred.
especially iu the damages the city
would have TO pay. This committee in
turn placed before the meeting the
plan Of having the Great Western
come in under the v:aduct as it now
stands, with the tracks on Market
street, instead of on Nevada street. as
at present. The possibility of leasing
,rackage from the Northwestern was
discussed. as well as the erection Of q
union station. The railroad officials
declared this would involve such heavy
on their part that it could
not be considered at present.
The commission admitted the haz-
ard. and asked both parties to prepare
definite statements as to what
they wanted and what they were pre-
pared to do. At present the erection of
a tower for the flagman. where he VIII
be in such a position that his atten-8
tion win not be, distracted, and that he
will haye clear view OF the tracks
and the vladuct seems the most deh-
mite steps to have been taken.1.s
The club committee explained to
those present at the meeting that the
city officials would be consulted and
any plan suggested be fully discussed
with them before definite recommended
lions were made either to the railroad
or the commission. Eventually. the
railroad officials stated, they hoped to
remove the hazard permanently, and
thus prevent any possibility OF acct
dents.