Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-03-12
TIME TO WAKE UP.

Isn't it about time that Ottawa =
business men We're waking mp 70 ne
fact that most Of the principal thor
oughfares leading into the city are
by reason OF railway crossings, IN i
very Objectionable condition, and AZ
least two of them are extremely dat
gerous for the occupants OF vehicles
The tragedy of Wednesday last at the
Moriarity hill has called attention
anew to the fact that that some
thing which has been agitated at in
tervals for the last forty years needs
10 be done The crossing at the Rock
Island pumping station is nearly II
not quite. as dangerous This was ~
year or so ago, following fatal az
cidents there. The farmers improve
ment societies tried their best to have
il made safe, but after repeated dis
couragement and after the excitement
caused by the fatalities subsidized, the
matter was allowed to drop. The en-
trance to Ottawa by way OF the
White bridge is bad and the only
redeeming feature is that one can get
fairly decent view of the railroad
tracks for some distance in either d.
rection. The q" crossing on Court
ney street on the South Side is an
other which has claimed its victim
in comparatively recen. years and one
at which the greatest care is needed
at all times The fact that the q" Isl
but branch line and trains are less
frequent than on the Rock Island
main line is all that saves number
oil its crossings from being seroue
menaces
The South Side Hill We have vi !
us always; it is about due for another
slide if the present rains continue.
OF course, the Moriarty hill is the
worst of the lot. 1t has been recog
nized as a death trap for generations
The peculiar surroundings and the FIRE
quent trains on he Rock Island main
seem that the only solution lies in
track elevation or viaduct The hill
is a steep and winding one. so that
when coming from the northwest on
is almost on the tracks before he Is
aware of it. Leaving the city. you
cross II high bridge and on coming
down the incline land almost directly
on the rails. This hill brings to OF
'taWa the residents of one OF the finest
and Wealthiest farming communities
in the county. Their business alone Is
worth enough to Ottawa to warrant
the Merchants association or the
chamber OF Commerce devoting atten-
lion and money If necessary 10 the so
luton of the problem
The Rock Island crossing at The
pumping station is also a very neces,
sary one to people VINO are worth
much to Ottawa in every way. There
'~Hre times when it is almost absolutely
necessary to cross the tracks at that
point If these people are to come to
Ottawa. They have expressed a will.
ingness in times past to do their
share toward making it safe; isn't it
up to Ottawa's commercial bodies to
give 1t proper attention?
OttaWas business life depends very
largely upon the trade of the wealthy
farming community which surrounds
MS. 1t is the natural trading place for
great portion of residents of the
best part of his rich and wonderful
county. But they can at Il pinch 90
elsewhere, much as they would prefer
10 come to Ottawa The making Ct
Ottawa entrances safe for residents
OF the rural sections of the county IL
! OF more value to this city than the
chasing up of every lead that might
/. end in landing new manufacturing
! industry here-desirable as that might
be.
!, The solution Of these crossing prob
lens Is worthy of the most serious al
tention and greatest efforts on the
J part OF Ottawa mercantile associa
lions. Every fatal accident like that
Of Wednesday is black eye for OF
lava.