The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-08-09
GRADE CROSSINGS.

Too many OF us are inclined to lock the stable
door after our horse has gone. The loss is a re-
hinder that we did not take proper precautions
to guard against just such catastrophe. Several
years ago a street car. on the Lamar Ave, line
and a switch engine at the crossing of the N. c. &
st. L.. and several other tracks had a mix-up. The
result was the loss of several lives and a score
or more lawsuits, some of them pending yet.
1t remained for this tragedy to emphasize a
point that had for years been urged by the resi-
dents of the neighborhood, that it was one of the
most dangerous grade crossings in the city and
should be abated.
Precrastination was the order of the day. The
city fathers permitted tie matter to be pigeon
holed from time to time and the railroads plead
ed poverty.
Months passed by and nothing happened. Then
one night like a clap of thunder in a clear sky
something did happen, the echo of which can be
heard yet in the courts of Tennessee. Then the
city authorities and the street car people and
the railroads realized that they had waited just
a little too long. Preparations were Immediately
made to close the door, but the horse had gone.
Several fatal accidents at grade crossings have
been reported recently in various parts of Ten
nessee where trains have struck automobiles.
There is hardly a day passes but what some paper
does not give an account of such an accident, in
all parts of the country. Doubtless the response
bility Of these accidents, or at least many of them
will have to be determined by the state courts.
There is a law in Tennessee, enacted by the
last Legislature, which, if obeyed, would have pre-
vented all Of these grade crossing accidents, re-
Gently noted, and if enforced, will prevent all ac-
cidents or like character in future. This law pro-
vides that drivers Of automobiles shall stop so
feet of all railroad crossings unprotected by
watchmen or gates, and that they shall, also, look
and listen before proceeding.
A grade crossing accident recently on Chi
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, at Midoth-
ian, ILL.,, resulted in six deaths and injury to the
driver Of the automobile. A c%oroner's jury de-
clared that the accident was the fault of the
driver and he was ordered held for the grand jury.
He was charged with carelessness, criminal negli
gence and manslaughter.
The Railway Age Gazette, in commenting on
this case, says, among other things:
"The railroads have long realized that grade
crossing accidents cannot be reduced appreciably
until full responsibility is placed not only on the
railroads, but on the public as well. . 1t is.
therefore, decidedly encouraging to learn that a
Cook County (Ill.) c%oroner's jury recently render
ed a verdict which recognizes that the persons
using highway crossings may be entirely to blame
for grade-crossings accidents, and when this is
the case, should be severely punished"
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THE HOME MERCHANT.
The HOME MERCHANTMEN is he?
He is the man who gives you credit when you
are financially embarrassed and carries your &C:
count when you are unable to pay.
He is the man who gives you back your money
or makes exchanges when you are not satisfied
with what you have bought.
He is the man who stands back of his guar.
antee and makes restoration of all losses you may
sustain on goods you buy from him.
He is the man who meets you at the door
with a hand-shake and let's you out with a mes.
sage to "the kids" and a real "come-again" good.
bye.
He is the mar who takes a neighborly inter
est in you, your family and your affairs.
He is the man whose clerks live right her,
in Greenwood and spend their money with 20,
and other people of the city.
He is the man who pays heavy taxes to hell
support the schools, build and maintain tn
streets, police and fire departments and other pub
lie institutions. He helps to support the churches
hospitals and charity organizations.
He is the HOME merchant-YOUR neighbo
YOUR friend-YOUR helper in time of need.
Don't you-or won't you-realize that ever,
dollar you send out of town goes to strangers VIII
never spend a cent here?
BE FAIR TO THE HOME MERCHANT
your friend and neighbor-Buy in Greenwood an
you will be doing a patriotic duty.
n "a - n m m IA
DEATH OF A GOOD CITIZEN.
Mr.. R. N. Harris, aged n, one of the pionee,
citizens of Clarksdale, passed away into the grea
beyond in his home at this place last Saturda,
night, at 10 o'clock. Funeral services at Grang
cemetery the following day at 5 o'clock in the al