Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-21
TELL Commission
OF TRAFFIC ILLS
CONDITIONS EXISTING At UN-
ION STATION DESCRIBED
TO STATE BOARD.
COMMISSIONERS MEET WITH
CITIZENS AND OFFICERS
Hearing Called Following Submits
sion of Big Petition Asking Needed
lmprovements-Tun From Sta
ton to Railroad Platforms to Pro-
tect Travellers Is Urged.

at hearing Of citizens with mem
bers of the state railroad commission
and officials Of the Northwestern,
held at the Marshalltown Club this
forenoon. The construction of a tun-
mel from the station to the train
platforms was the primary object OF
the citizens who have petitioned to
the commission for correction Of
conditions which are held to be dan
gerous and causing extreme incon-
venience to travellers. Other i'm
provements in the movement of
trains and depot conditions were
urged by speakers and witnesses who
emphasized their requests with per-
sonal experiences to show incon-
veniences suffered. Many attended
the hearing.
d. N. Lewis, chairman of the rail-
road commission, presided. and with
Charles Webster represented the
commission. Fred Foss, reporter for
the commission, also was present.
The Northwestern railroad COM
pany, which owns the union station,
was represented by Superintendent
NJ. E. Thomas, Henry l.. Adams, of
Des Moines. Iowa, attorney for the
road, and G. II. +. Boardman, Of this
city, local attorney for the company.
Free Expression From Citizens.
There was a free expression Of
conditions from citizens called as
witnesses. The main purpose of the
meeting was to secure action from
the commission to eliminate danger
III crossing the tracks of the North
western to reach west-bound trains,
and in crossing Northwestern tracks
to reach the trains of the NJ. & st.
L. To do this it was suggested that
a tunnel from the station to the
platforms be constructed similar to
one at Ames. No estimate OF the
probable cost was given except by
comparison with the cost of similar
subways to train tracks in other cit
les. Roughly speaking, such an I'M
provement could be made, it would
appear, for approximately $4,000.
On suggestion Of Chairman Lewis
1t was agreed that the city engineer
and an engineer from the railroad
company estimate the probable cost
o,nd submit their findings to the
commission.
Other Railroad Ills Discussed.
Incidental to the discussion Of the
main question other grievances were
voiced and remedies asked and sug-
s;ested. Train schedules, the regular
employment Of a station master re-
locating the water supply so as not to
cause engines to stop under the via
duct and belch smoke and SCOT over
the viaduct and the depot platforms,
erection Of suitable shed over the
central platform between the North
western and NJ. & st. L. tracks which
would extend the entire length of the
platform, and other complaints were
included in the discussion and tes-,
eimony.
1t was suggested by Chairman
Lewis that 1t might be possible to es-
tablish zones for the incoming trains,
which would discharge and take on
passengers at certain points, so as
to leave passage way between
Grains arriving at the same time.
This suggestion did not meet with
favor because of the Inconvenience
to passengers in reaching the right
train and in walking long distances
in stormy weather.
Visit Station This Afternoon.
The members Of the commission
were to visit the station this after
noon and, determine for themselves
the physical conditions. This Visit
was scheduled at time when 1t is
not possible to witness the scene Of
confusion existing when two or more
trains are at the station. The COM
mission did, however, have an op-
portunity to see the need Of other
improvements asked. An invitation
was extended by the commission to
citizens and railroad officials to Join
in this investigation. Many citizens
voiced their disapproval of present
conditions and numerous instances Of
suffered were related.
Following the investigation at the
station the commission will take the
whole matter under advisement and
render decision at some later date.