Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-03-01
The TURNPIKE Nutssnce

IL is TO be hoped that the report Of the House
Committee on the District of Columbia ON the
turnpike question will be followed M by soma
action In Congress for the abatement OF that
nuisance. That report was in answer to a res
olution OF the House instructlng the committee
" to inquire whether the charters of the wash
ingtOn and Rockville Turnpike Company and
the Columbia Turnpike Road Company have
been forfeited by wilfal neglect and non-com-
PliAnce with the terms thereof" The commit
tee, after taking a large amount OF testimony
and hearing arguments on both sides, reported
unanimously that the evidence 4" was conclu-
siye and overwhelming that the Columbia (Bls-
densburg) turnpike has not complied with il,
charter requirements. On the contrary, il il
at no time Of the year in the order imperstive,y
demanded as the condition OF its corporate ex-
istence' and ut some seasons il Is almost i'm.
Pasoaoie' ana this in the face of the fact that it
pays large dividends, and is therefore without
a shadow OF excuse for its condition,
As regards the Seventh street road the
company testify that for years past they
have expended all their earnings upon the
road, "and," the committee saw. oas the
evidence shows, that the road is not in the
condition required by its charter, therefore
the just conclusion is that the company are not
able to furnish the community with such a road
a the necessities Of the travel demand and their
charter requires; il seems but Just and rsasopa-
bic that the road should be taken out of their
hands and placed In the hands of those who can
keep II in ORDER
The committee hold, however, that If these
roads were IN the most perfect condition re.
CURED oy their charter, the public good would
require the abolition. One Of them, the Bla-
densburg road, has its gate about fifty feet from
the city limits, and is q tar upon all ineress and
egress to and from the city in that direction.
This gate lies between the city Of Washington
and the largest and only Catholic cemetery of
the city, and toll Is collected from every funeral
procession when on its way to the grave. EVER
market gardener ard small farmer bringing the
products OF his labor to the city over this road ia
taxed for it. II is in truth tax upon their
labor.
The committee proceed to saw eft is mani
testify unjust to deprive the people whose bus;-
ness leads them to or from the city over these
roads or the benefits OF the free inyrsss and
egress which Is enjoyed by the people on other
roads. 10 seems to US . self-evidsnt proposition
that the interest OF the CITY requires tina fscII
ties OF egress and ingress should be as free "a
possible. But when, in addition to these rea-
sons, We add the fact that the road is in a b,d
Condition and that the travel over II gets no
uue value for their tolls. we think the ciesrest
case Is presented for immediate action on the
part OF Congress-
After summing up the law and the evidence
In the case, the committee conclude BY saying:
Z" We therefore recomme nd that both these roads
be Immediately condemned and made free public
highways; that the damages be assessed in the
usual manner, and as the city Of Washington
will be principally benefited, that the expense
OF such assessment be borne By the city and
county of Washington somewhat in the propor-
tion to the population and property Of each. and
herewith report bill to carry out these pro-
Visions"
This report ought to he conclusive, coming
from a committee OF legal ability, and being
made through gentleman thoroughly familiar
with the subject: Mr.. Stone, of MARYLAND. Will
not Congress, therefore, put the bill promptly
on ITS passage? Every member Of Congress is
Interested In having good system Of roads
leading TO Washington, 80 that country produce
Can reach here readily and the cost Of Twin, be-
kept down.