Evening star., 1935-01-29

The Governments plan to use a
portion of the large unemployment
relief fund as q means of eliminating
grade crossings is viewed in the press
as a natural outcome of the better
railroad service furnished by stream
lined trains. The grade-c crossing work
should help materially to reduce un-
employment and stimulate business,
many newspapers observe.
"a broad program Of constructing
underpasses," says the Portland (Ore0
journal, will not only spread vast
amount of hand labor throughout all
parts of the country and create
great national asset, but is justified
by human considerations. This is q
day of speed. Railway crossings are
frequently located just around a curve
and the auto driver is on the cross
ing, and perhaps in the path of a
swiftly moving train, before he is
aware of the danger. How many auto
drivers, cautious and Of mature age,
have had their attention momen-
tarily distracted and found themselves
crossing a railroad track! The ad-
vent of the streamlined train increases
the danger. Swifter and more silent,
these Diesel driven trains will be the
cause of wholesale casualties unless
thousands Of grade crossings on main
thoroughfares are eliminated. BY
undertaking this program at this time
thousands Of citizens will be PROVIDED
with useful work, and millions will be
saved In protecting human life"
A similar argument is made by the
Topeka Daily Capital. which states as
to the value of the proposed use OF
funds: This is a public work against
which little opposition Is heard. Craze
crossing accidents are too well ana
widely known. Moreover, railroads are
being induced to improve equipment
and speed of transportation, ana tne
new Diesel engines, stream-nneo
trains and improved facilities call tor
corresponding measures for security
of life and limb. This accentuateS
the need for elimination OF dangerous
grade crossings with as little deiay
as possible. II is not one OF tnose
outlaws that are self-liquidating, put
is one that Is economically JuStlneo
IN nrotection of human lives ana Ia
cilitating the recovery OF prosperity
of the railroads"
Referring to the demands maoe Dy
the mayors conference at Cnlcago,
in which a request for q billion ana
a half was made, the worcester
(Mass.) Evening Gazette offers TINS
criticism Of the present proposal.
"The plan now being considered az
washington is much more mooest
than the one the mayors advocate.
The present scheme is to spend So0O,-
moo 600 for the elimination OF 1000
grade crossings in all parts OF the
country. II the Governments
work program Is going to INCLUDE
embarrassing removal. the enterprise
ought To be undertaken seriously. A
thin trickle of money, spread about
over the country, will accomplish little
in the way Of needed construction
and will be of no great financial
benefit to the communities in which
II is spent. II Mr.. Ickes Is going to
do ANYTHING with this grade crossing
business he ought to make o thorough
Job of it."
"Uncounted deaths and other acci-
dents are deplored by the Miami
(Fla.) Herald, which comments:
Certainly, providing public structures
by which vehicles on the public roads
may pass over railroads, by means OF
substantial bridges, will come well
within the idea Of increasing public
structures. These bridges will not
only require the expenditure Of large
amounts Of money for materials, but
u Is estimated that 7s.s per cent Of