Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-02-28
CROSSINGS HERE
MAY Be PROTECTED BY
SIGNAL. LIGHTS SOON
Central Railway Asked to Install
These in Connection With
Block System
WINBURN WOULD APPROVE
Doing Everything to Reduce
Grade Crossing Hazard, He
Writes Interested Citizen

Writes Interested Citizen
Grade crossings at Amcricus NAV
soon be protected by signal lights
! as the result Of correspondent ini6at-
ed by an interested citizen here with
W. A. Winburn, president of the
Central Of Georgia railway. One of
the most dangerous points in Amer
icus is the double Seaboard-Central
crossing at Church and Spring
streets, and it is the especial pur-
pose of those interested to protest
these. The crossing at the Central
depot would also be protected under
the plan proposed.
Correspondence regarding these
crossings and their protection bv sig
nal lights was initiated soon after
the Central announced it's plan to in
, stall block signals on this division
between Fort Valley and Albany. AS
soon as the matter was called to his
attention President Winburn recog-
/ nized the feasibility OF the plan.
In order to secure an expression
from Americas people, especially
those residing near the crossing to
be protected, the correspondence is
published today. The first letter.
dated February "a, addressed to
President Winburn, follows:
February "a, 1928.
Mr.. w. A. Winburn, President,
Central of Georgia Railway,
Savannah, Ga. Dear Sir: note
from the press that in your improve
ment program for 1928, in which
you plan to spend $5,741, 1892, 900,
that "The Central of Georgia will
extend its electric block system from
Fort to Albany, completing provis-
ions for the protection of the fast
passenger trains and heavy freight
traffic over the busiest portions of
our lines. This will cost 1865, OOO."
write to injuire if this electric
block system will include block
signal for the public street crossings
in Americas, so that the public can
be warned by lights and signals Of
The approach of a train or engine.
AS you doubtless know, we have had
several very serious occurrences at
these crossings in the last few years,
due no doubt to insufficient caution
by the public as well as a lack Of
proper sigal and warning from the
approaching train. Some Of these
have resulted in considerable excpnse
to your company, and feel sure
not only be of great service to the
public, but a saving to your com
pany
| am hoping that your plans al
ready include these crossing signals,
but if not, permit me to urge that
you do include same in your i'm
provement program, without the
necessity Of legislation making it
mandatory.
| am advised that one Of your
assistants will address the kiwanis
Club Of this city Of which | am
member) at its next meeting next
Friday at noon, and / will be glad
to have your recly in hand prior to
that time.
President Winburn's letter reply
ing to this communication and re-
eeived today, dated Savannah, Feb.
&c, reads:
In rep',- to your inquiry of the
oath instant, l beg to advise that the
proposed expenditure of S265,000,
covering the Installation of automat-
ic block signals between Fort Valley
and Albany, does not include road
crossing signals; however, we are do
ing everything possible to reduce The
grade crossing hazard to a minimum
and I have referred your communi-
cation with reference to the situa-
tion at Americas, to Mr.. /. A.
Downs, vice-president and general
manager, who has jurisdiction over
the operating department Of this
company, with request that he give
consideration to the question raised
by you. Your very truly,
w. A. WINBURN.