City losing every day by level crossings.

(Continued from Page 13, Column 6.)

opments of the waterfront, as well as entirely abolishing the terrible danger to foot and vehicular traffic across the tracks, now at the street level.

A second point, meeting with considerable discussion, is just how the present conditions are affecting the harbor development of Toronto. A few of the important obstacles which lie in the way of the Harbor Commissioners in the furthering of their plans are as follows: Splendid provision has been made for the establishing of harbor facilities and industrial sites second to none in the Ashbridge's Bay district, under the name of the Eastern Terminals. The logical entrance to this district is by way of Cherry street, which at the present time is crossed by no fewer than 16 tracks. Prospective manufacturers, observing this, and calculating the loss in time which would occur to both truck traffic and the entry of workmen, are naturally not desirous of locating in the district.

Progress is held up.

In fact, the whole harbor district east of Yonge street is badly tied up at the present time by the nonfulfillment of the agreement by the railways. Expropriation orders have been issued for a large part of the land, in consequence of which its present value is greatly lessened, it is understood that the plan calls for the taking over of the land east of Yonge street and south of the Esplanade by the railways, with the proviso that the Harbor Commissioners are to have the portions they require for the development of their harbor plans.

West of Yonge street conditions are no better. Where the crossings to the waterfront are not obstructed by a maze of tracks at the street level, bridges exist which are incapable of handling heavy traffic. A bad grade exists at Bathurst street; the bridge at Spadina is limited to a load of two tons, just about the weight of an empty lorry, while at John street the bridge load is approximately four tons, a figure entirely insufficient for commercial trucking. The York street bridge offers practically the only means of entry to the central harbor area.

Shuts out street cars.

And, in addition to the smothering of industry which exists under these conditions, another disgrace exists in that there is not street car line giving access to the waterfront. None of the streets in their present condition is capable of carrying street railway tracks. So it is that the entire population of a great city is shut off from its harbor. Not only must the people walk a considerable distance, from Front street to the waterfront, but in this distance they must traverse a district full of danger and difficulty of the worst description. Ferry service, lake services and all water routes are alike are affected.

Such is the present condition. Surely it calls for strenuous and immediate action. All types of industry and all classes of people suffer from this insufferable situation, and the time has now come for concerted and definite endeavor. Citizens of Toronto should lace the future of their city before all smaller considerations, and band together to secure relief from a condition which is a black disgrace to one of the most progressive cities on the American continent.

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