Case Name: In re COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS OF TOWN OF ISLIP
Court: New York Supreme Court, General Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1893-12-01
Citations: 26 N.Y.S. 384
Docket Number: 
Parties: In re COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS OF TOWN OF ISLIP.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 26
Pages: 384–385

Head Matter:
(74 Hun, 44.)
In re COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS OF TOWN OF ISLIP.
(Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department.
December 1, 1893.)
Railroad Crossings—Flagmen.
Where it appears that at a certain railroad crossing trains cannot be heard or seen except within a very short distance of the track, the view of which is obstructed by houses and trees, the railroad company may be required to station- a flagman at such crossing, as provided by the general railroad law, (section 33.)
Appeal from Suffolk county court.
Petition by the highway commissioners of the town of Islip, in Suffolk county, for an order to compel the Long Island Railroad Company to station flagmen or erect gates at a crossing in the village of Sayville. The petition was granted, and the railroad company appeals.
Affirmed.
Argued before BARNARD, P. J., and DYKMAN and PRATT, JJ.
William J. Kelly, for appellant.
Timothy M. Griffing, for respondents.

Opinion:
BARNARD, P. J.
The petition of the commissioners of highways of the town of Islip asks that flagmen be stationed by the Long Island Railroad Company at various points in the town of Islip, where the tracks of the railroad .cross the highways of the town on grade, under section 33 of the general railroad law. The court ordered a flagman at the point where the railroad crosses Railroad avenue in the village of Sayville. The court also made an order that the railroad company keep a flagman at the junction of the railroad tracks and the highway called Second avenue in Bay Shore; and that the company erect and maintain a signal bell at the intersection of the railroad track with Fifth avenue in Bay Shore village. The appeal is from both these orders. The proof shows that at the crossing of Railroad avenue, Sayville, a traveler going north can hear the railroad train but a short distance coming from the west. One cannot see the train coming from the east until you get close to the crossing. A person who knows the locality can look between houses, if he knows just where to look; otherwise not. You cannot see to the east on the railroad track by reason of a curve in the road. In the summer, besides the buildings which obstruct the view, there are trees, which almost wholly destroy all view of the railroad's trains approaching from the west. The proof abundantly sustained the order as to Railroad avenue, Sayville, and the order should be affirmed, with costs and disbursements. All concur.