Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-08-22

246, 16l-a grade crossings used hv
automobiles and of these o0s sss
We're wholly unprotected by signals
automatic gates or gatemen. For
TINS period the casualty LIST al cross
ings was 2,149 people killed and g.
go injured and eighty per cent Of
the total involved automobiles.
NO attempt has ever been made
TO secure Standardization of grade
crossing signals and yet here is a
practlcal field where little effort on
.he part OF safety forces will save
hundreds of lives each year." Prest-
dent Henry declared.
Il believe" he said, chat the
establishment Of we'll worked out
standard system of signals together
with the standard fixed warning and
direction signs which the joint COM
mlttee OF the Bureau of Public
Roads and State Highway officials
are developing would prove the most
eHective means, other than seVlrat-
ing the grades, of reducing the haz-
ard to public safety"
The AsA. A. program provides for
four distinct phases of activity in
regard to grade crossings, as fol-
lows:
First standard signals for traffic
control and watchmen wherever
possible.
Second, smoothening out the ap-
proaches to crossings so as to do
away with steep grades and sharp
inclines that endanger operation of
motor vehicles at crucial moments.
Third, improving the physical con-
dition of the actual crossing itself so
as to prevent stalling of machines
and to permit the operator to watch
for approaching trains.
Fourth, the development of plan
by states, towns and communities
whereby in cooperation with the rail-
roads, grade crossings, at least the
most dangerous of them, will be
ultimately eliminated.
President Henry severely criticized
the attitude of those who contend
that the elimination of CROSSINGS is
so gigantic a problem that it cannot
be undertaken. He said:
IF we concede that the only ulti-
mate way to avoid grade crossing
accidents is to separate the grades
then start should at once be made
on the most dangerous of them. We
are constantly told that it will take
nineteen billion dollars, or some such
huge sum, to separate all the grades
OF course we realize that it will
take time and money but the con-
slant prating about the size of the
task is one { reason why so little
progress is being made in elimina :
ton and why more grades are being
constructed yearly than are elimi-
mated.
Il am convinced that after sur
vey of the situation it will be found
that even one billion dollars would
do away with at least so per cent of
the present hazard. What is needed
is comprehensive program which
would proceed with the highways
where a given sum will accomplish
the most. l know of one small city
in Indiana, Michigan City. where
six dangerous grades were elimi-
mated in a short time through COM
munity efforts and as many lives
saved in consequence. The sooner
we get from behind the Smokescreen
and stop speaking about nineteen
billion dollars, the sooner we will
begin to make real progress in this
national undertaking.
"One of the things we can do i'm
mediately is to attract the attention
of motorists to grade crossing danger
by the most effective method and to
make that method uniform for the
country. To secure uniform signals
it will be necessary to get the CO.
operation of the American Railway
Association, the Interstate Com
merce Commission, State Utility
Commissions and State Highway
Commissioners.
The American Railway Associa-