Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-03-18
REQUESTS PASSAGE
Of CROSSING BILL
Senator Bennett Tells of Heavy
Death Toll of AutoiSts.
10000 FATALLY HURT IN 1920
Lawmaker Says Appalling Loss Of
life on Rail Crossings Shows Ne
cessity for LegisIation-Roads
Say Cost Is Prohibitive.

VI fuOqud HAS introduced measure
before the upper branch of the gem
eral assembly, the purpose of which
is to compel the railroads of Wiscon-
sin to bear the expense of eliminating
grade crossings in the state. The SEN
ator declares that more people were
killed ON grade crossings of highways
and railroads in the United States
during the past year than the Ameri-
can casualties numbered in the Revo-
luti0nary war.
In this fight Senator Bennett has
switched his position from that of two
years ego, but he says that the APP
palaing loss of life by automobile pas
sengers at railroad crossings has con-
yinced him of the necessity of some
legislation on the subject. The tight
for the grade crossing separation bill
is a grapple between the Vernon coun-
ty senator on one side and an array of
railroad attorneys and officials on the
other, who declare that such legisIa-
ton would bankrupt the lines. Sena-
tor Bennett, in statement, says that
he will demand full attendance of
the senate when the bill is considered.
1.-THE tremendous increase In the
number of automobiles licensed and
driven upon the highways brings about
an entirely new and different economic
condition than heretofore obtained"
said Senator Bennett. The increase
in the total number of automobiles
and trucks during the single year 1920
is so vast that 'we car scarcely com
prehend it,
"The number of crossing accidents
and lives lost in Wisconsin increased
during 1920 over 1919. Covering the
whole United States it is found that a
larger number of persons were killed
1919, 1868 people were fatally injured
in automobile accidents. In 1920 the
number was approximately 10000. In
1921 the number of killed will be in
creased. 1t is said by the secretary
of the highway commission that 70 per
cent of the people killed or injured at
grade crossings are motorists. Three
times as many American citizens were
killed at grade crossings during the
past three years than We're killed dur
ing the Revolutionary war. The Amer
lean casualties in the principal battles
of the Revolutionary war were less
than 1000 and the grade crossings
killed or injured in the United States
in the past three years more than 90
600 men, women and children.
I'm point of Embarrassing accidents
Wisconsin holds nineteenth place
among her sister states. Wisconsin
has $50 grade crossings on her state
trunk highway system alone. Under
this bin, if it is enacted into law, the
dangerous grade crossings il Wiscon-
sin may be eliminated, the expense
thereof charged to che railr ads, and
the railroads will distribute the cost
over the widest possible area. diffusing
the expense throughout the entire Uni
ted States. Wisconsin should get its
share of benefits, if there are any
benefits to be obtained. under the
Esch-C ummins law, and the only bene-
fit which 1t seems to me we can OBJ
tain, practically speaking, is to let the
United States pay the expense of these
separations.
II would not propose that all of Wis.
consin grade crossings be separated In
one year-that may be worked out by
the railroad commission in order of
the dangerousneSs of the crossings
eliminated. But the expense under
this changed situation should be borne
entirely by the railroads. ard by them
in turn passed on to the commerce of
the country"
Legislatures and the general pub.
lie have come to realize" said Henry
KiIlilea. in statement for the raj.
roads. that in the separation of grade
crossings the interests of the railroads
the state. the municipalities ard the
public are a unit and have apportioned
The cost of the work on a percentage
basis. The wisdom of this policy is
very apparent. It produces a feeling
of common interest between the rail
roads and the municipality. each
realizes the mutual benefits to be de
rived and 1t teLds to the cultivation OF
spirit of willingness and harmony in
promoting this necessary work. We
believe an examination of the authori
ties and precedents shows conclusivelS
that the only apportioLment that car
In Justice or wisdom be made is one or
the percentage basis"
AssemblymaS y. Fl. Mahon, Milwau
kae. win introduce bill providing foi
Uniform textbooks in schools.
County Nurse Bill Sidetracked.
The Lamb bin to make the count!
nurse law optional with the difTeren
counties of the state was reported
for Indefinite postponement by tn
assembly committee on public welfare
This bill by AsSelnhlyman Lamb. Fon,
du Lac. has attracted wide attention
II was first sent to the house com
nittee on state affairs for hearinl
and was favorably recommended. s.
,,reb opposition arose. however, (,