The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-28
MARKING TIME

lO De sure, aVOluanCc or court aCtl0n Dy $ the city commission to require the railroads ~ provide proper protection against grade 2 crcssings would appear wise if practical re- salts may be obtained through amicable ne- 6otiations. Yet the fact remains tat the xailroads have a definite obligation to safe < 6aard this community against very serious menace of their own making, and the city a cofnmission has an even more definite re- 6ponsibility to the public to see that proper protection is forthcoming. Thirty years of negotiations find the situation grown steadily worse until it has now reached an unequalled maximum.
 This grade-crossing danger to life and limb and its heavy cost to business has in- creased casualties and losses for a genera ton. Within the last few months the city Commission has done much talking about the problem, and there have been voluminous Correspondence and frequent conferences; bnt not until recently was the commission prepared to present definite plan for con- aderation. The railroads expressed willing ness to proceed as soon as the city was xeady; but the commission was never ready, and the railroads played rings around the city," in the language of ap observer, with fhe purpose of further delays.
 Whether or not the railroads were sincere &Hf tuSlG C4pfSSoSu WAAuBuGbS LO prOCcCU lS matter of opinion, according to the point of view. When the city finally presented plna, the railroads discouraged it, alleg- ing that it is physically impractical and economically unsound. They agreed, how ever, to give it consideration, and did not reject it pointblank. Nor did they openly refuse to consider the city's proposal for pro- rating the costs, all of which makes for the delay desired by the roads.
 The railroads admit that eventually they must provide the needful protection by solving the crossing problem with the city. The plan by which this is to be accomplished is an en. Rineering proposition and must be worked out on engineering principles. with the public welfare at all times the dominant considera- tion. The public is not primarily concerned with the engineering aspects; but does de- mand relief without further unnecessary de- lay. The railroads are held indirectly and the city commission directly responsible for the intolerable condition. If the city can present practical plan and induce the rail roads to agree to it without court action, we'll and good. If this plan will bear the test of engineering analysis, and the railroads refuse to cooperate on a reasonable basis of cost, the city commission should exercise mandatory authority and act firmly on be- half of the major public interest.
 A part of the plan should be the opening to traffic of Nineteenth street. The Chamber of Commerce and the business interests have firmly taken this position as 8 pressing com munity need. It is inconceivable that one ok the principal streets in the heart of the business district of great and growing city should be permanently closed to gateway traffic between two of its most important sections. No serious engineering problems are involved in the opening of Nineteenth street. Nor is the cost heavy. The demand for it's use steadily increases with community growth and realization of it's importance.
 While the business interests and many who have studied the situation realize the pressing need and great value of removing the grade crossing, there is surprising apathy among many towards this vital public i'm pFovement project. Dozens of people are Killed or injured at the grade crossings every year. Many narrow escapes are reported. The danger is constantly increasing. The losses to business are fast multiplying. It would appear that public sentiment against th egrade crossing would crystalline into an urgent and irresistible demand, especially since solution of the problem would be no less practical benefit to the railroads than to the public.