Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-18
COMFORT STATIONS
UNDER SIDEWALKS

lSOntlnueu FROM t1TSL taReI
ing, the several experts who have
studied the problem favor a circular
system of street railway operation
around an extended oval in the center
OF the square. 1t is believed that in
this way the serious congestion will
be overcome; that by running the
Square on the western side of the
oval and returning on the eastern
side northward in Second street will
eliminate present difficulties.
V. II. c. Terminal VIII Help
There is also an intimation that
the inevitable terminal of the Valley
Railways Company in Walnut street
and possible two-track arrangement
in the same street will reduce the
congestion resulting from the running
OF the 'cross-river cars from Walnut
I to Market Square in Second street.
These cars not only block the main
city lines but interfere seriously with
automobile and other traffic in Sec
ond street.
All these matters will have to be
worked out by the expert who will be
employed under the provision of the
ordinance now pending in Council.
Incidental to the change of the traf-
flc system now in operation and the
erection of an isle of safety in the
heart of the Square is a proposition
to provide public comfort facilities
in the suggested oval. Upon this
question, however, there is a wide di-
versity of opinion and very general
public protest. 1t is the thought of
those who are now getting awake to
the proposition that the center of a
network of street railway lines and
constantly increasing automobile and
other traffic is hardly the place for
- fr,- Nd,
there would be constant danger to
women and children in the crossing
or tie street car tracks and the rush.
ing stream of vehicular travel
Favor Sidewalk Stations
While the people authorized q loan
OF $4,000 for certain Market Square
changes they have never been strong
Tor the proposed public comfort end
OF the proposition. The general ex-
preston heard everywhere is that
these facilities should be provided
along the sidewalks in the central
part OF the city with entrances similar
to the subways in the metropolitan
cities.
Suggest Courthouse As Place
III 1t is not feasible to place the
public comfort stations on the Market
street side of the Courthouse =
women on one side. men on the other
-, then 1t is suggested that other
locations in the business and shopping
district should be provided. But the
placing of these facilities in the open
plaza even underground is very gen
| orally opposed.
Experts employed by the Municipal
League have made a study of the
Market Square conditions, but nc
Two agree upon a plan. Generally
they favor a continuous movement
around an oval or isle of safety
winch arrangement would block ali
travel through Market street east and
west. This arrangement was favored
by the New York traffic officers who
instance of Mayor Meals to study the
situation. Should it be found ad.
! vlsable to close the intersection ot
second and Market streets at the cen.
ter 1t is the opinion of many citizens
that this particular spot should be
ornamented in some dignified fashion
with statue or monument, not with
! q public comfort station,
Artistic Treatment
When he visited Harrisburg last
summer Arnold W. Drummer, the dis.
tlngulshed city planner who has beer
retained by the Commonwealth ir
! collaboration with Warren II. Mann,
ing, to design the new Capitol PARK
suggested when driving through Mar.
ket square that an ideal arrangement
would be the widening of the side.
walks on the four sides of the Sauar,
and the planting of trees along the
curb line. These trees, he observed
should be far enough from the build
ing line to interfere in no way witt
the light and air of the stores anC
shops. other experts in landscap,
tIeatnent who have been here from
time to time have also suggested tha,
there ought to be some artistic treat
ment of Market Square which win no
interfere with its practical uses.