Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-25
STEAM RAILROADS IN TIE DIS.
TklCT.



Memorial Of Citizens Of Washington.
REMOVAL OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND pEPoTs
ASKED FOR.
"a memorial OF the citizens OF Washington city
to the Congress OF the United States, praying the
removal OF the railroad tracks and depots from
their present location In Streets avenues and pub
| lie parks OF the city OF Washington; ana to suy-
geSt by bill, the locations OF the roads and depots
least Objectionable to private or public interests,
| and equally advantageous to the railroad COM
panies In their ingres and egress to ana from the
city"
1t sets forth that 1.-THE federal capital has suffered
Tor many years. and still continues In suffer- from
The existence OF the two railroads penetrate ng
70 tne very heart OF our city, and which are allow
ed 10 occupy sites for their depotS, and streets and
avenues with their tracks arring the contour
and beauty OF the public parks, obstructing our
and greatly deprecating privlte property along
Inc Ene OF some OF the principal streets and ave-
nues traversed by these roads"
The legislation OF Congress and the local muni-
cipal authorities on the subject IS reviewed at
length also the objections OF the railroad officials
that these roads have vested rights which ought
not to be and cannot be disturbed without incur
ring liabilities in damages to these roads in large
Of grounds in the Vicinity or theIr IS denoti and
| tracks along the lines OF streets ana avenues
now occupied by these Railroad companies
Ihis claim. the petitioners argue, has founda-
ton in fact They quote numerous authorities,
and say "that the right or revocation in all such
| between the state and the corporation, and not by
virtue or the right or eminent domain; that the
only thing TO be resumed is the franchise prvi-
lege granted by Congress in the case now under
consideration, and not the private property
acquired In addition to It by the company or com
paDieS and their stockholders: and, consequently,
that the only question for doubt in the premises is
! not whether there should, In such cases be a pro-
vision for compensation to the company but
whether Congress has really the right To appro.
pirate anything by way OF compensation to these
raliroad companies. Indeed. there is not single
Ia
show that these roads are entitled to the slightest
consideration for compensation in any conten-
plated contingency"
PLAN OF THE PETITIONERS.
The memoniist5 are OF the opinion that. with
reference to the location OF depots for ali roads
entering Washington city. they should be SO To-
Gated as to interfere little possible with the
public parks, avenues and streets OF the city, nd at
the same time afford every facility essential TO en-
able these great thoroughfae5 pass into and out
OF Washington, ,and TO transact the commercial bus
mess with the same within It's limits This, they
say, can be done without occupying any or the
public parks and avenues and hut two streets
need be occupied or encumDered with tracks of
these roads where 1t would at all interfere with
the travel, or damage to any great ex-
street south, De frGm the esern nerTTeStS moufS
OF the navy yard tunnel, is not improved or built
upon 70 any extent until reaches Az street SOUTH
west, and from there to 9TH Street it is
improved with medium class OF tene-
ment houses constructed principally OF wood.
private interests by the location OF viaduct or ell
evatcd road along this street. From the intersec-
Ton OF K and Water streets to its connection with
the Long bridge an elevated road would add large
y to the interests OF the business along the river
front. They provide in the bill they submit Tor
waited road. for the accommodation OF loading and
unloading freights, as may be allowed in the dis
cretion of the Commissioners of the District or Co
lumb!a. They say: "Iet the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad instead OF entering the city at l2th street
east and tee boundary. as proposed by the Com
point north OF the National Fair Grounds as may
be agreed upon by their engineers and running
branch, and thence across said branch by bridge
TO suitable point OF connection with the Baltimore
and Potomac . mac road and thence alongside OF and
parallel with said road, as provided for in the ac
companying bill, and along street to the Union
depot, and thence along to Water street by the
the Virginia shore OF the Potomac rtyer.n
ADVANTAGES CLAIMED FOR THE PLAN
They say: "By glance at the map Of tho city
accompanying the bill, you will perceive that but
very small Pc IN OF the city OF Washington
would be traVarse " occupied by these steam car
railroads. anf could not, therefore, result to the
injury O. either public or private property to any
great extent, Indeed, It would. in our opinion,
enhance the value or the property southeast OF x
and ~ streets south by improving portion OF the
City which, but for some improvements OF public
character, must remain unimproved and unfnhab- |
tted for many years to come Besides, the location
suggested In our bill, which we deem an eminently
eligible one, would forever fix these roads as per-
manent and Interchangeable. 1he river barrier.
which is but a short distance south or K street
south forbids the further enlargement OF the city
In that direction; but not with any other point
OF the compass Time will be when Washington
city viii extenn its borders for miles byOnd It's
present limits, TO the northeast north and north
west and its growth in the near future should not
DC retarded by the existence OF these railroads 4
LOOK at the extent OF private and public property
now depreci.ted, and In many localities rendered
almost valuelcss for the purposes originally de-
signed, by the existence or location OF these rail-
road tricks along some OF our wide and beautiful
avenues and streets. and the location OF their /
depotS within the heart OF the city. The route or
routes recommended by the Commissioners OF the
District OF Coluiabia does not relieve many Of
these avenues and streets OF these Objectionable
membranes, and which We now ask shall be re- |
moved, and that the beauty OF the city In the /
vicinity Ct the present location OF these reads shall
not be permanently destroyed and che growth OF |
the city retarded"
The memorial concludes al follows: *Tnc bin |
we herewith O0er as q substitute f0s ts.eir fthc
District C0mmissioncFs3 bill, meets the hearty
concurrence OF large body OF the resident popss
iaugn Of the federal capital; and ehocA s be
ed1pfad, II wa avoid the ooGlgct oe I'M slFeG