THE REASON WHY.
The delay in the commencement of the construction of the tracks between Winslow’s crossing and East Walpole, having caused a report that the company did not intend to construct the same, a representative of this paper interviewed Mr. Doane, the president of the company as to its position. Mr. Doane stated positively that the company proposed to construct its tracks and put the cars in operation just as soon as it could be done, He stated that there had been delay on the part of the selectmen in giving the location of the tracks, and that the company could not do anything until this was received. The company had caused a plan of the street, as now laid out by the County Commissioners, to be made together with the suggested grades. This the company submitted to the selectmen some two weeks ago, but as yet no reply has been received. It is the intention of the company, if the selectmen will definitely settle on location, grades, etc., to have the track completed from Norwood line to Winslow’s as soon as the crossing is ready.
Mr. Doane stated that the company was very much disappointed in not being able to have any benefit of the summer weather in connection with this extension, but as it looked now they would be forced to construct the same late in the fall and derive little or no benefit from pleasure travel this year.
THE NEW STATION.
The transportation committee of the Business Association, consisting of nine members, are evidently trying to do something toward securing a new station for this town, and have started out with the right idea that there ought to be one good station, centrally located, which can be proudly called “Norwood.” That central location is, in their judgment, at the foot of Day Street, and as soon as the courts define the present status of the decree of the railroad commissioners on the old N. Y. & N. E. R. R. in its relations to the present N. E. R. R. Co., no doubt they will make some move to secure a good depot if the decree is found to be binding on the present railroad company. This central depot will in no way conflict with the establishment by the railroad company of as many small stopping places as it wishes, when the electric service is instituted. But the committee is right and has the backing of the majority of the townspeople when it insists upon a good substantial station, located at Day Street. We hope they will use every endeavor to carry out the wishes of the town as already expressed and agreed to.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN STREET R.R.CO.
Messrs. Forbush, Draper, Feely and others, representing the new Norfolk Southern street railway company, which is asking for a location in town, appeared before the Norwood selectmen last Monday evening. No decision was given by the board but the sentiment of the meeting seemed to favor a use of the same tracks on Washington Street by the two companies—the Norfolk Central and the Norfolk Southern. The sentiment of the meeting was evidently not in favor of the town’s granting the new company the right to lay a separate track through Washington Street. The new company’s idea seems to be to build an electric road from Mansfield, through Foxboro, Walpole and North Walpole, thence down Walpole and Washington streets to Railroad Avenue.
The sentiment in Walpole Centre seems to be decidedly against granting the new road a franchise unless it agrees to build a loop road from the corner of Walpole and East streets in Walpole to East Walpole. It is understood that Judge T. E. Grover of Canton, a stockholder of the new road, expressed the willingness of the company to meet this demand within a reasonable time, in the course of his remarks at the hearing held in Walpole last week.
At the Norwood hearing last Monday evening, J. J. Feely, Esq., stated that the road was ready, if the franchise were granted, to begin building at both ends of the line within thirty days. It is thought by some of the company that the road can be put in operation within ninety days from the granting of the last franchise.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)