erned entirely by the position of the derail, and as a matter of fact, they watch the derail more than they do the signal.

I fully agree with the statement as to the motormen paying more attention to the position of the derail than to the position of the signal on the electric roads; but cannot indorse the general proposition of doing away with the signals on electric roads at such crossing, for the reason that at night, in some cases, the position of the derail cannot be determined until the car is very near it.

In a previous communication to your honorable Board the fact that derails were allowed to remain in the position of "safety on the electric roads was noted. This I found to be the case on Emmons avenue, where the double tracks of the New York and Manhattan Beach Railroad cross the double tracks of the Nassau Electric road, and on Liberty avenue, where the double tracks of the New York and Rockaway Beach division are crossed by the double tracks of the Long Island Electric Railroad. It will be seen from the description of the derail and signal plants at these points that there are derails in the electric tracks and signals on the steam road, but they are not interlocked, which accounts for the tower-man being able to leave the derail on the electric track set at "safety" without putting the signals on the steam road at "danger."

In my description of safety appliances at the crossings of steam and electric roads submitted some time ago, I stated that the derails on the electric roads were interlocked with signals on steam tracks. This information, which was furnished me by the towerman, I now find was not correct.

There are thirteen points on the Long Island Railroad Company's system where its tracks are crossed by electric roads, the crossings being protected by derails and signals which are not interlocked. These derails on the electric tracks and the signals on the steam road should, in all cases, be operated as though they interlocked. The derail on the electric should not remain in a position of "safety "after a car has passed over it.

Respectfully submitted,

C. R. BARNES,
Electrical Expert.

REPORT OF THE ELECTRICAL EXPERT AS TO COMPLIANCE BY THE BUFFALO RAILWAY AND THE CROSSTOWN RAILWAY OF BUFFALO WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS BOARD, MADE NOVEMBER 14, 1898.

October 4, 1899.

In the matter of the recommendations of your honorable Board in reference to grade crossing of steam railroads by the Buffalo

Railway and the Crosstown Railway of Buffalo, N. Y., dated October 17, 1898, I enclose a letter from R. E. Danforth in reference to this subject.

I find the statements contained in this letter are correct.

Respectfully yours,
C. R. BARNES,

Electrical Expert.

BUFFALO RAILWAY COMPANY,

BUFFALO, N. Y., September 26, 1899.

Mr. CHARLES R. BARNES, Inspector Board of Railroad Commissioners, Rochester, N. Y.:

DEAR SIR.-In accodance with your verbal request of to-day, I beg to report as follows upon the progress made in complying with the recommendations of the Board of Railroad Commissioners, made October 17, 1898:

The crossing in Elk street over the tracks of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad has not been replaced, as we have been requested by the latter company to make no changes, as they expected to change the layout of switches, etc. at this point at once. We have been put off from day to day for six months. They now promise immediate action.

The crossing over the Lake Shore Railroad in Elk street is abandoned pending the erection of a viaduct over this and the crossing of the Erie Railroad.

The crossing of the Nickel Plate, Western New York and Pennsylvania and Buffalo Creek Railroads in Elk street will be abolished probably within the next few months, and a viaduct over same put in. Bids for this work have already been called for.

Work on the subway at the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad crossing in Elk street will probably be started at once.

The trough recommended over the Broadway crossing of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad has been installed. We have as yet not received a cut crossing for this place, but expect to make the improvements requested soon.

In all cases copper troughs have been placed over the trolley wire at the points mentioned by you. Derailing switches have been installed as required by you.

Yours very truly,

R. E. DANFORTH,

Superintendent.

MINUTES OF THE BOARD.

REPORTED IN PURSUANCE OF SECTION 166 OF THE RAILROAD LAW.

[For the treatment of complaints against corporations coming under the supervision of the Board, the following method of procedure has been adopted: Upon receipt of a complaint a copy of the letter of the complaint is at once forwarded to the officers of the corporation against which complaint is made, with the request to answer within ten days. Reply to the complaint is then transmitted to the complainant, and if the matter is not satisfactorily adjusted by correspondence, a public hearing is had before the Board and such order made as the evidence then adduced seems to warrant. Other matters coming before the Board are governed by rules of procedure, made by it, which rules are published in this volume.]

ALBANY, NOVEMBER 23, 1898.

Present, Commissioners Cole,

Hearings.

Board met pursuant to adjournment. Baker and Dunn.

Adjourned hearing in the matter of the application of the Little Falls and Herkimer Street Railway Company, under section 68 of the Railroad Law, for a determination of how its railroad shall cross the Mohawk and Malone Railway (leased to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company), on Albany street, in the village of Herkimer. J. D. Henderson and J. D. McMahon for the applicant; Ira A. Place for the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company in opposition. After hearing evidence and arguments the evidence was closed. Both sides are to file briefs if they desire to. The Board is to look at the crossing.

Adjourned hearing in the matter of the application of the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railway, under section 59 of the Railroad Law. James M. E. O'Grady and Charles Van Voorhis for the applicant; Ira A. Place for the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company (lessee of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad), in opposition. After hearing evidence and arguments, the hearing was adjourned to Wednesday, December 14, 1898, at Powers Hotel, Rochester, at 10 o'clock a. m. Evidence as to the bona fides of the enterprise was taken in executive session.

Complaints.

George E. Oram against Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad Company, as to train service. Reply of complainant to answer of company received. Complainant from J. Mullen on the same subject received. Copy of reply of complaint and copy of complaint from J. Mullen sent to

the company. Hearing set down for Tuesday, December 6, 1898, at Fifth Avenue Hotel, Parlor D. R. New York city, at 10 o'clock a. m.

Citizens' Association of Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton against the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company, as to lights in cars and as to alleged danger at the curve at Thirty-seventh street and Third avenue, Brooklyn. Letter received from company, stating the recommendations of the Board will be complied with. Hearing in this matter set down for Tuesday, December 6, 1898, at Fifth Avenue Hotel, Parlor D R, New York city, at 10 o'clock a. m.

A letter was received from I. Fischer, of New York city, complaining as to the operation of express trains on the Manhattan Railway, Third Avenue line, New York city. Ordered letter written complainant, as shown by copy on file.

Fred D. Cotanch, of Freeville, against the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, as to fences. Answer of the company received, stating that

the fences would be rebuilt. Closed.

Leander Brink against the Middletown-Goshen Traction Company, as to alleged abandonment of portion of road. Letter received from Receiver of the company; reply sent, as shown by copy on file.

G. P. Kelley against the Union Railway Company of New York city, as to waiting rooms at transfer stations. Ordered letter written complainant, stating that the Board had investigated this matter and giving results of investigation.

Applications.

In the matter of the application of the Little Falls and Herkimer Street Railway Company, under section 100 of the Railroad Law, for approval of the use of the overhead electrical trolley system as motive power, an affidavit was received from the applicant as to property owners' consents. Ordered filed.

A letter was received from the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, asking that the Board inspect the location of wrecking tools in the cars of that company. Ordered letter written the company, that the Board is familiar with the location of such tools in its cars, and that the present location of such tools is objectionable, and that the direction contained in the circular of the Board, No. 39, must be complied with.

Application of the Pullman Palace Car Company for approval of the location of wrecking tools in its cars. Ordered approved, as shown by copy of order and blue print on file.

Application of New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, for itself and its leased lines, for approval of highway crossing signs. Ordered filed..

Crossings.

In the matter of the application of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company (lessee of the Mohawk and Malone Railway), under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to discontinuing two crossings of its railroad by the Blue Pond Road, in which an order has been made, a letter was received from Fred P. Calkins, town clerk of Harrietstown, where the crossing was situated, stating the town board is ready to make the change as determined by this Board, and asking certain questions. Ordered letter written Mr. Calkins, as shown by copy on file.

In the matter of crossings at grade of steam railroads and the Buffalo City Railway, a letter was received from the company, stating that the recommendations of the Board would have its immediate attention. Ordered filed.

In the matter of the recommendations of the Board, relative to crossings at grade of steam railroads and the Buffalo Crosstown Railroad Company, a letter was received from the company, asking certain modifications of the recommendations of the Board as to the Crosstown and the Buffalo

Railway. Ordered recommendations modified, as shown by letter to the company on file.

In the matter of the application of the town board of Guilford, Chenango county, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to Root's and Milk Station crossings of the New York, Ontario and Western Railway, a report was received from the superintendent of the grade crossing bureau; also, a proposition and letter from C. A. Winsor, of Guilford, in regard to the matter in which the change shall be made. Ordered filed.

In the matter of the application of the village of Andover, under section 61 of the Railroad Law, as to the manner in which a new street, known as Harmon street, shall be carried across the Erie Railroad, brief of the applicant was received and ordered filed.

An opinion was received from the Attorney General, in reply to questions of the Board, as to section 62 of the Railroad Law. Ordered filed. In the matter of the application of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to crossing in the town of Glenville, Schenectady county, first crossing west of Rector's, a letter and modified plan was received from the applicant. Ordered filed.

In the matter of the application of the president and board of trustees of the village of St. Johnsville, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to carrying Bridge street over the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, the amended plan was received and ordered filed.

Reports.

Report of the inspector as to special inspection of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, between Auburn and Ithaca. Ordered copy sent company, with letter, making the recommendations of the inspector the recommendations of the Board.

Orders.

Application of the Pullman Palace Car Company for approval of location of wrecking tools in cars. Ordered approved, as shown by copy of order and blue print on file.

Application of the village of Andover, under section 61 of the Railroad Law, as to the manner in which Harmon street shall cross the Erie Railroad. Determination that the crossing shall be made overhead. Application of the town board of the town of Guilford, Chenango county, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to the abolishment of Root's and Milk Station grade crossings of the New York, Ontario and Western Railway. Granted, as shown by copy of determination on file. Application of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to crossing in the town of Glenville, Schenectady county, first crossing west of Rector's. Granted, as shown by copy of determination on file.

Application of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company (lessee of the Mohawk and Malone Railway), under section 62 of the Railroad Law, praying that the Lower Meekerville Road crossing of the Mohawk and Malone Railway, in the town of Forestport, Oneida county, shall be closed and discontinued. Granted, as shown by copy of determination on file.

Application of the president and board of trustees of the village of St. Johnsville, under section 62 of the Railroad Law, as to carrying Bridge street over the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad. Granted, as shown by copy of determination on file.