New Britain herald., 1923-11-05
BIG PLANTS BLOCK CROSSING RELIEF
Traffic Managers do Not Want
 Their Schedules Upset
HEARING IS HELD TODAY
Supt. Snayely of "Ncw Haven- Road Says He Cannot Promise Complete Relief-Promises New "Set OHr Track ip West End.

Track ip West End.
 Traffic managers of local manufac- turing concerns who met with the railroad committee of the common council and representatives of the | New Haven railroad this afternoon at the office of Mayor A. v. Paonessa, to discuss the problem of blocking railroad crossings by switch ing engines, voiced objection to any change in the present system and schedules. provided it in any way in- terferes with the ease of handling fac tory shipments.
 Chairman Arthur c. Crusberg Of the railroads committee presided. Those who attended the conference were: Mayor A. NJ. Paonessa, Super intendent J. J. Snavely of the local division of the railroad, and Mr. Casey Of the local office. Traffic Manager R. W. Poteet of the Stanley Works. Traffic Manager J. F. Atwater of the American Hardware corporation, Traffic Manager F. G. Russell of Landers, Frary & Clark's, Traffic Manager W. L. Bell of North X Judas, Traffic Manager Patrick Gaff- ney of Hart & Hutc chinson's, Council men C. W. Hellberg and George Mo lander, Chief of Police w. C. Hart and Louis Barker.
 In opening the meeting Councilman Crusberg said there have been many complaints of blocking railroad cross ipgs by switching.
 He cited particular instance where the Main street crossing Was blocked for lS minutes and the police and fire departments were alarmed over tn possibilities should there be any serious happening that would re- quire the fire apparatus or police service north of the railroad tracks He also told the gathering that the Whiting street gates are down most of the time.
 Chief Hart thought fl switching could be eliminated between the hours of 4:i5 and 6 o'clock and around noon time much traffic congestion would be relieved Mayor Paonesss agreed with the police department head.
 Supt. snavely advised that survey Of conditions be made and he pre- sented some interesting figures. He pointed out that there are SS trains crossing New Britain crossings every day; there are 13 crossings protected: :: there were e0,l5l highway move ments in counted IS hour period over one crossoyer; there are 1O7 movements one hour. and in one hour period. which happened to be between 6 and o'clock on the morn ing Of July ?. 5000 people crossed Inc Elm street crossing. All these move ments cannot be made without incon- veniencing someone, he said.
 He reminded the gathering that the city Is dependent upon its industries for its livelihood and said anything done 10 njurc industry would react.
 In these days Of competition if is necessary that trains be provided when needed for immediate shipment.
 Mir. Poteet Of the Stanley Works said he would dislike greatly to geo any restriction on the present system Of sending trains 10 the factories when they arc needed. He said under the present system it is often difficult to get out goods on time.
 MT Russell Of Landers. said it would not be possible to get out that comrsnys shipments onto the main line without pulling mp on Main street and changing over 10 the main line.
 Although the train is changed from one track to another this is not considered switching. Mir. Snavely said. because the engine does moi leave the train.
 Other traffic managers present st tempted to justify the action Of inc railroad in temporarily closing streets to traffic. explaining that long trains such as the beef train. carrying 50 cars. cannot hc handled better than at present.
 Supt. Suavely told the mep present that hc would minimize the incon- veniencc, hut could not guarantee that there would not continue tn be some grumbling against blocking tracks. He said eyentually there will be a new "set-of" track in tho west end which will aid somewhat.