The Temporary Grade Crossing

There seems to be some misunderstanding in reference to the grade separation question on W. Huron street, it being claimed by some citizens that the mayor had something to do with the recent order made by the Railroad Commissioner Osborn. It is understood Mayor Copeland did not know anything about the matter until he read the statement that a temporary order had been granted to Messrs. Hawks & Angus. He telegraphed Commissioner Osborn and received the following letter and copy of the order which speaks for itself. It might be further said that Mayor Copeland has had a satisfactory talk with Messrs. Hawks and Angus and the outlook for the permanent grade separation is favorable.

January 31, 1902.
Ann Arbor, Mich.:

Dear Sir - Enclosed please find certified copy of an order of an order approving a temporary grade crossing of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson Railway with the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railway Company on Huron street in the city of Ann Arbor until July 1. This temporary grade crossing is allowed with the understanding that negotiations are pending for a separation of the grades not only at Huron street but at several other streets in your city, and it is hoped that such negotiations may be favorably concluded and such grade separation accomplished before the expiration of the time fixed in this order. You will also notice that the electric railway company agrees to remove the grade crossing at any time after July 1 upon notice from this department, without the necessity of beginning legal action to enforce such order.

Very respectfully yours,
CHASE S. OSBORNE.
Commissioner of Railroads
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STATE OF MICHIGAN:

Office of the Commissioner of Railroads.

In re application of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson Railway Company for an amendment to the order issued by this department May 17, A. D. 1901, and providing for a temporary grade crossing of its line with the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company on Huron street in the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Mich.

Application having been received by the Commissioner of Railroads for the state of Michigan from the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson Railway Company asking for the amendment of an order issued by this department on May 17, 1901, and for the approval of a temporary grade crossing of its line with the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company on Huron street in the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan.

After carefully considering the said application, and the reasons given for desiring such temporary crossing.

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, it is hereby ordered that the said temporary crossing be and the same is hereby approved, subject to the following conditions, to wit:

1. The crossing shall be made at the grade level of the said Ann Arbor railroad company's tracks.

2. The crossing frogs shall be of standard type and subject to the approval of the chief engineer of the said Ann Arbor railroad company.

3. All trolley wires shall be securely and substantially put up in accordance with specifications issued by the Commissioner of Railroads, and so that at all times and under all conditions they shall be at least 22 feet in height from the surface of rails in the tracks crossed and the trolley poles used on the electric railway at the said crossing shall be at least 15 feet in length.

4. To further insure safety to the traveling public and properties in interest, and electrically locked derailing and signaling appliance shall be provided at the said crossing to be constructed in accordance with plans which shall be submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of Railroads before the construction of the same is commenced. Said derailing appliance to be further approved by the Commissioner of Railroads before being put into use, it being distinctly understood that no cars shall be run over the said crossing until the said appliance has been completed and approved by the Commissioner of Railroads.

5. Derailers shall be provided and placed in the tracks of the said Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson Railway Company at a distance of not less than 75 feet from the outer rail of the tracks at the point of crossing; such derailers to be electrically locked with signals to be placed upon the said Ann Arbor railroad, and said appliance to be operated by the conductor or some other competent person after car has been brought to a full stop at the derailing switch. The levers operating the derailers must be placed at the best point of vision of trains on the said Ann Arbor railroad and so placed that the said conductor or other competent person must cross the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company to operate the device.

6. It is distinctly understood that the temporary grade crossing provided for in this order shall be abandoned and removed from the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company not later than July 1, A. D. 1902, unless an extension of the time for using the asme shall be granted by the Commissioner of Railroads, in writing; such extension of time only to be granted upon formal written application therefor, being presented to the Commissioner of Railroads not less than 30 day before July 1, 1902, with a satisfactory statement of reasons for granting such extension.

7. This order is subject to modification at any time when in the opinion of the Commissioner of Railroads the public safety may e more effectively secured.

In testimony whereof, witness my hand and the official seal of this department at the Capitol in the city of Lansing, this 30th day of January, 1902.

CHASE S. OSBORN, Commissioner of Railroads.