Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-04-23
The Railroad Grievances I'm S0uth
Washlngt0a.



ANOTHER MEETING OF THE CITIZENS.
A large meeting OF the property holders on
and Maryland avenues was held
asst nighs at Herfurth's hall, on AZ street, 70
hear the reply of the District Commissioners
To the petition Sent them several weeks since
In relation 20 the railroad upon those ave-
nues, Mr.. j. l. Kidwell presided with Mr..
X n. Bacon secretary, who read
TUE REPORT OF LIEUT.. HoJIE
TO the District Commissioners, which was
approved by them and copy sent TO the
"After a conference with the superintendent
end the resident engineer OF the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad company, have ar
remove their tracks from the carr lgeway
and occupy only their own property, viz,
square 3se, for the purpose OF loading and
erty To place either tvo or four tracks in the
parking, which is no disadvantage. The
square OF ground rpOn which the present
and they furnish satisfactory evidence that
the building was turned over to them by the
general government; but whether that be 50
or not, the building is hardly worth a con-
troveEsy, and will probably be replaced by q
better one in a short time. The right te have
freight depot at this point seems unaues-
tfenable, and do not see that any farther
concession can eQuitably be demanded. III
their business IL conducted In such q way as
70 create a nuisance as in the retention of
stock either in the cars or on The ground longer
Il,
will become a question for the Police Court
TO determine. In this connection invite at
tention to the recommendation of changing
the character OF the pavement on this ave-
nue.. The railroad company are waiting
only for notification to remove their track
NOT THANKFUL.
Mr.. F. A. Boswell remarked that the citi-
zens ou2 ht doubtless TO be very thankful for
the notice vOuchsafed by the authorities 10
their petition. but he for one saw very little
as yet To be thankful for. They are told that
time replace the old depot near 9Th street
with a better building. There was nothing in
this 10 be thankful for, as the evils COM
planned of were still existing. AS for him
self he intended to sue the road for damages
and see what virtue there is in the courts.
GOING TO LAW.
Mr.. W. c. Bamberger said he protested
against accepting any such arrangements as
are set fortn in this reply. This company
are now maintaining their cattle, sheep and
hog pens in front of his door, which are filled
nightly with half-starved animals. below
ing, bleating and squealing; they also have
their four tracks laid, upon which are trains
loading and unloading He insisted to know
from the authorities by what right the COM
pany are allowed TO have more than two
tracks on this avenue, contrary to the terms
of its charter and the laws OF this District
he cited the act OF Congress approved April
8, 1870, showing that the public streets and
avenues of this city cannot be used for pri-
vate purposes, TO the injury of private prop
erty of others; also, the act of the District
the granting To any corporation the privile ye
of bloc kading the streets and avenues. Now
The only way left seems to be to bring action
in the courts for damages and memorialiZing
Congress To give relief. All that lac asked
was protection under the laws.
Mr.. Boswell stated that business on Vir-
ginia avenue had been destroyed. He al
luded to the recent published statements in
the city press wherein it had been made to
appear that the railroad company would be
made TO park in their tracks and said moth
nj no Ia,
cobtended that neither the chief engineer
nor District Commissioners have any right
10 compromise the interests of the citizens
with tins or any other road. 1t looks as if
Mr.. HoXie had unwillingly sold out TO this
company.
Mr.. Bamberger said he could sometimes
count fifty cars standing on the four tracks
and across street crossings.
Mr. Crown asked how il was that the
Commissioners have the right to give this
company the privilege TO lay down more
than two tracks. Now is the proper time To
apply foran Injunction against the laying of
more than two tracks.
MONEY FOR "A LAW SUIT.
Mr.. Boswell moved that the citizens form
at once protective association, TO collect
money 10 carry on suit against the road;
adopted.
Hon. Joseph Segar said he knew from hard
experience what it was 10 be annoyed and
oppressed by this unauthorized, lawless and
heartless corporation, with its INSCRIPTIONS
and tyrannical agents and employees, who are
imposing upOn the citizens without the
slightest authority of law. He was ready to
join with the property holders to rid them
selves of this oppression by resisting in every
way Its encrOachmentS upon their natural
rights. He had been told recently by a re-
spectacle colOred man living on Virginia
avenue, that his house had been shattered
and rendered almost untenantable by the
Earring of the cars; the sisters of the Catholic
school on the same avenue, near It'll street.
were complaining of the constant nuisance
and interruption to the exercises of study
II door cOnl6
ing, trains of cars stretched out across eth
and Az streets. remai"ing there as long as
suited the convenience of the employees of
the road, to back and fill while vehicles were
waiting their pleasure to pass. The citizens
seem to have no rights which this company
feel bound TO respect. He counted twenty
time, unable TO pass for the backing and fill
ing nuisance. This is all illegal, and this
overbearing monopoly must and shall be
THE CITIZENS HAVE RIGHTS.
The laws of the land everywhere the world
over prohibit the blocking up of highways
he had lived To upwards of seventy years,
man, but he would swear upon the Holy
of Almighty God that he had never
seen any oppression so abOminable as this
in the reply of the District Commissioners
does not go down to the root of the evil.
Enough had already been seen of the Illegal
acts OF Tom SCOTS grand Pennsylvania rail-
to accept IL. To trust any set of railroad
men who have been unfaithful to their Obli-
cations is the sheerest nonsense. He cited
the laws of the District Legislature, which
provides that this road shall not obs truct the
highways at any time longer than sufficient
10 land passengers. The only relief To be had
IS in the Congress of the United States and
II Is vain To expect from the small authOri-
ties like the Police Court or the District
authorities. Let the citizens represent their
To Congress, which has unluckily
granted this road the power TO drive the peo-
pie from their homes.
TO THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Mr.. Boswell called the attention of the
meeting to the fact that Gen. Ketcham was
totally opposed 10 the Baltimore and POto-
mac railroad coming into their streets at all.
He was thankful to the Commissioners and
Lieut.. HOXie for the courtesy shown the citi-
zens in this matter, but he was not willing to
accept the proposition submitted in the
reply. They must raise money to meet this
issue with the road in the courts and the only
way Is To organize for a remedy. Lieut..
hoXie has no power to compromise the right
Of the people. IApplause.l He moved that
a vote of thanks be returned to the Commits
sloners, and that they be informed that the
people dissent from the arrangement made
with the road.
MessTs- Bamberger and Bacon here stated
that both Commissioners KpfPbarn and