Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-22
THE DEPOT SITE CONrRO. ExSY
Colonel Scott. EN Mayor wslIach. a.
b. Church and others before the
Senate District Committee.

The Senate committee on the District of CO.
lumbia met this morning for the purpose of
hearing the statements of parties interested in
locating the passenger depot of the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad on the site at the corner
OF 9th and streets, as authorized BY the bill
which recently passed the House.
Among those present this morning were ex-
Mayor Wallach, 5. 5. Riker, and Joseph II.
Bradley, ST. Colonel Thomas A. Scott rpnr,-
sented the Baltimore and Potomac road. There
the bill
MR.. c. II. CHURCH
was the first speaker. He read the resolutions
adopted at recent meeting, heretofore noticed
IN TIE STAR, and said it might be said by some
That be had sinister motives in opposing the
depot. He did not own one cents worth Cf
ground north of + street. They proposed L
locate the depot at the intersection OF Maryland
and Virginia avenues, between eth and 9ta
streets (the same site proposed by Garrett for
grand union depOt.) Mr.. e. here pointed out on
the map the location they proposed, and stated
from the west end of the depot along the line OF
18th street over TO the city. II
COL. THOMAS A. SCOTT
SAID in building their road in Pittsburg they
had 10 remove two churches and in making
tunnel went under one. III any property should
be injured here by the road, the bill provided
that the company shoIld pay da nages.
EX-MAYOR RICHARD wA-LACH
said he appeared before the commit ee in be-
half OF the territorial gOve.nmen OF the Dis
trict, and presented written argument, which
was read by Mr.. Crippen, clerk TO the commit
tee.
MIR. Church presented petition namcrousl,
signed, protesting against the pass ige OF the
Mr.. GEORGE TAYLOR
said be had examined the records and found
that the site at 9th and streets, whereon II
was proposed TO locate this depot, was entirely
under the control of Congress. Was il best TO
mar the capital OF the nation, which is now
BENG so rapidly improved by the citizens, with
this depot nuisance? They had ceased to ask
Congress for aid. Was it right to mar the pub
lie grounds-to bring into the very heart OF the
city railroad depot? In view OF this becOmiue
a great city, with four or five hundred thou> md
population, within twenty years, he thought the
public grounds should not he deIaced by rail
roads. Was 1t necessary for Congress TO donate
public grounds for railroad PURPOSES Til. CITY
OF Washington should he protected from such q
nuisance az depot in the very heart OF the
city.
Senator Patterson" DO you think the rail-
read a greater nuisance than the canal has
been"
Answer" No sir"
MR.. Z. e. CALVERT,
one OF the owners OF the National Hotel, pro
Tested against the depot being located at 9TH
and streets, as it would iniure the property
on the avenue, and destroy the future park. He
was willing to give Mr.. Scott anything reason
destroyed.
Col. scott.-"Is the National Hotel owned by
Mr.. Calvert.-''No, sir; am one of the stock
holders"
Col. Scott believe, Mr.. Chairman. that
You have Petition filed with you, signed by so
per cent. OF the prOperty-ho!dcrs, favOring the
location OF the depot
COT. SCOTT
said, II the depot is located on 9Th AMI l. streets
all the difficulty about the school will bc re-
moved. AS trains would not he ma lie ND nea,
the school but in the depot. He had given hi,
views already before the committee. and diI not
propose TO repeat them now. In regard TO the
mt mortal of Mr.. Walach he thought il rather
extraordinary, when he {COl. Scott was assistant
Secretary of War he built up the road referred
10 by that gentleman i'll order to carry supplies
TO the troops in Virginia. He did not agree that
railroad deIOtS were nuisance to the city
The railroad depot as they proposed to tolerate
II would be a benefit TO city. He thOu yht the
growth Of Washington within the pat { 80 wears
was due IN great measure to the prospect o;
increased railroad facilities.
Mr.. WALLACE
said when the Long Bridge was given 20 the
PeDnsy,yania Central road the track OF the
Washington and Alexandria road was in good
running order.
Col. Scott.-"Well, do you mean 10 say that
We have no right to make parallel track?''
Mr.. WaliacG.-'' Yes, but as soon as YOUR road
along ide il down our security is gone.''
The hour OF twelve O'Clock having arrived The
committee cleared the room, in order to act upon
several bills and the council nominations recent
ly sent Ill by the President.