The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-12

The Railroad Nuisance on Broad Street.
TO The Editor Of The Evening TelegrGpI:
As a citizen of Philadelphia, and a taxpayer,
I have read with great interest your remarks in
regard to the efforts now beng made by a
handful OF commission merchants to keep the
railroad tracks down in Broad street, and
thereby maintain a nuisance which is daily felt
by almost every citizen Of Philadelphia. Have
they not had sufficient notice to secure other
places in which to transact their business,
which, for city like ours, is very small one,
but must we be compelled TO give up all our
privileges 10 a few designing men? No one can
go along Broad street. from Market to Wallace,
after dark, except at the risk of their lives, in
consequence of large freight cars reaching
across the sidewalk in front of almost every
stoIehouse. Pedestrians are either compelled TO
take to the cobble-stones III the street, or else
take some other street to walk in. Every effort
IS made to accom- modate the trade on the west
side Of the river, giving better accommodations
in every way. There commodious storehouses
will and can De provided: There IS no accom-
is not a single storehouse worthy OF the name in
il. They are at best, miserable, dilapidated old
structures, hardly fit to do business in at all, and
only used for their present purpose because
| those doing business there have not sufficient
public spirit to go elsewhere and provide suita-
BILE places for their business to be transacted in
Shall the most beautiful street in any city in
| improved, be any longer kept back by such
paltIy eXcusesl hope not, nor do believe that
anybody in the community, save the few petit
/ TONERS fol- what they think is for their own
! interest but what are in favsr or the clearing
/ out OF the street at once.
What has been the effect of the removal of the
tracks in South Broad street! Hundreds OF
thousands of dollars have already been in
! vested there by sharp and shrewd business
men, who well know they will soon be amply
repaid for their investment. A lot of ground
which but few months before the rails were
I taken up, running from Thirteenth to Broad
/ street was purchased by business firm in our
city for one hundred and one thousand dollars
lew we, Ks ago the Broad street front alo ne
was sold Ior one hundred thousand dollars,
leaving more than two-thirds OF the lot to the
original purchasers for one thousand dollars.
This is but one OF many cases. Let the street
once be cleared OF the nuisances, aud property
wilrrapidly advance, long lines OF elegant dwell
ines will adorn the streets, the revenue oil
the city will be greatly increased, we shall
attractive drives on one OF the most beautiful
avenues IN the world. Strangers from all parts
| OF the country will be attracted, and it will
| give to our city the name OF being not only one
of the most beautiful In the land, but will make
IL most attractive point Tor strangers 70 so
iourn in. hope our municipal authorities vii
turn deaf ear 70 every effort TO continue The
Nuisance, and in lieu thereof have such force
OF men in the street on the first day Of Apri
that very soon the railroad nui lance will be ont
of the things OF the past.
would suggest that petitions should be PLACED
IN prominent places 20 that our citizens ma,
have the opportunity OF letting their represen
tatiVes know that nine-tenths Of the commuDlt
have borne this evil as long as they intend L
do. 1 hope, Mr.. Editor, YOU will keen thi
assured the law Will be put in force on the Is
OF April. BROAD STREET IMPROVEMENT.