The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-01
RAILROAD FIGHTS MEASURE TO
REIMBURSE PERSONS HELD UP BY
TRAINS OBSTRUCT|NC CROSSINGS

than five minutes, then moved on,
even though it continued to obstruct
the highway, was not in violation Of
the existing law. It was to remedy
this statute, and to provide remuner-
alton for the aggrieved persons that
the law was designed.
Attorney Barnett, speaking for the
railroad declared 1T was absolutely
necessary at times to block the high
ways, and in such an event, under the
proposed law, if a trolley car was i'm
peded, each passenger on the car
might demand $25; or even q parade
might be held up, and EACH parader
might claim damages. Under ques-
tons of the committee relative to the
operation of the present law, he said
he had no knowledge of a prosecution
having been brought under the pres
ent law.
Mr. Droege, whom Mr.. Barnett
called to explain the effect of the
proposed law, went at some length
into the railroad company's methods.
He pointed out that larger trains than
ever before were being used, to facil-
itate transportation, and that the
road has placed a 100000 order
for IS locomotives in order to expe-
dite it's traffic.
To be obliged to keep their trains
from obstructing highways more than
five minutes would mean to paralyZe
traffic conditions, he said.
He admitted that the Solution on
the problem was the elimination OF
grade crossings, and said that the
road is spending large sums to bring
about not only this, but to provide the
sidetrack facilities which would OBJ
viate the necessity now existing Of
often blocking the highways by STALL
ed trains.>
He would prefer continuance Of
the present law, he said, with it's pen
al provision, to the enactment Of the
proposed law, which he said, would
encourage a mild species of black
mail, with persons knowing of con-
gested sections at liberty to await the
presence of a stalled train, then to
file their claims for damages under
the Jaw.
Mr.. Pierce was wrought up by the
railroaders' views Of the matter, and
heated1y declared that there hadn't
been an honest objection to the bill.
He declared that Engineer Moore had
come to the hearing under compul-
sion, and insisted that the road should
be made to compensate each person
who might be detained by obstructing
trains.
Mr. Pierce also struck at Russell,
representing the American Hardware
Co., of New Britain, who had object
ed to the. proposed measure on the
ground that it would impede trans
portation. He referred to manufac-
turers greedy for profits from making
war munitions; and he spoke excited
ly Of Mr.. Droege's prophecies of
transportation tie-ups and diminu-
ton Of passenger service referring to
his words as implied threats
House Chairman Peasley admon-
ished Mr.. Pierce to refrain from ar
guments of such nature, and when
Engineer Moore arose to declare he
had come not at the behest of the
railroad, but because he was there ais
the legislative Representative Of the
engineers, Mr.. Peaseley assured him
it was not necessary for him to apollo
gize for his appearance before the
committee
r. J. Kinsella., chairman of spe-
cia1 committee of the Hartford cham
Der of commerce, argued that his
committee, which had investigated
traffic conditions, had ascertained
that the long trains had helped to
expedite shipments of freight, espe-
cially Of carload shipments. If the
effect of the bill would be to compel
the road to return to shorter trains,
he would oppose it on the ground
that it would result in delays.