New Britain herald., 1928-11-05
Two GATE TENDERS.
MAY Be WITHDRAWN
Utilities Commission Allows
Railroad to Nike Change
RECORD VOTE PREDICTED
Both Sides Have FSeets OF Autos
Ready-Fire Hazards behind
Blocks-P. T. Association Annual
Meeting-PiainsilIe Briefs.

Meeting-PiainvilIe Briefs
Permission for the New Haven"
railroad to withdraw its gate tenders
from the West Main and Broad
street railroad crossing has been
granted by the public utilities COM
mission. a copy of whose decision
has been received by the selectmen.
1t is specified. however, that the
gates must be retained at West Main
street and that members of the
train crew or competent railroad
employees operate these gates and
act as flagman at the Broad street
crossing whenever a train move
ment is made over them.
This solution Is compromise
and is virtually what was suggested
by First Selectman James Simpson
when he attended the hearing on
the matter on October 10. The
railroad at first wished to remove
the gates at West Main street, but
this thoroughfare is such busy
one that Mr.. Simpson opposed the
action. and the gates will be retain
cd and operated by trainmen. The
removal of almost all trains from
the Canal Line" branch has led to
the railroads action, as it is now
believed unnecessary to employ reg
ular crossing tenders> for the few
1 ylhi
made over the crossings.
The decision of the commission
Is as follows:
1.-THE petitioner testified that trains
service over the two crossings Is
confined at the present time to
limited switching movements, and
that train movements In the future
are expected to be no more fire.
quent than at present. The petit
toner proposed to substitute, in
lieu OF existing protection, electric
ilashlight highway crossing signals
of a type approved by this commits
sion and to stop all trains before
proceeding over the crossing and
to flag trains over the crossing by a
flagman who would be a member OF
the train crew.
THE town opposed the changes
in protection methods. eliminating
the operation of gates at West Main
street crossing over which there IS
heavy motor traffic and at the west,
crly side of which there is also
terminus of street railway line.
1T appeared that the duties OF
the present flaglnan at the Brcae
street crossing could be assumed b.
a member OF the train crew IN tht
manner proposed by the petitioner
and that a member of such crew OF
other competant employe OF the
company could also operate tht
gates at the West Main street cross.
ing at such times as train is nbou'
to proceed over. This change IT
existing protection appeared satls'
factory to the town.
! From the evidence presenter al
the hearing. the commission Is OF
the opinion and finds that pubic
safety at Broad street crossing VIII
he adequately cared for by dis
continuing the flagman now on duty
at said crossing. In lieu of the exist
ling protection. the railroad company
should operate no engines, trains. OF
cars over said crossing unless and
until flagman. who may be
member of the train crew or othe'
competent employe. us stationed a.
said crossing to protect public traNs
while engines, trains, or cars are
about to move. and are moving
over said crossing.
wherefore. the other OF th'
hoard of railroad commissioner
dated June1, 1928. relating to main
tenance of flagman at said cross
ling is hereby ameEJ"d 60 as to pro
vide that the railroad company may
discontinue a regular gateman a
the aforesaid crossing and is hereby
directed and ordered to operate h'