The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-07
7yJr BIJLUlI QrEST1ON.

We observe that the Baltimore and Ioin-
nal Railroad officers have again submitted
to the District Commissioners plan for an
elevated bridge over Sixth street, connecting
,be eastern and western sections OF the
Mall This plan provides carrage-way
over the railroad tracks, and may be in
terpreted as evidence Of the company's in-
tention TO retain its present central station.
The removal of the railway tracks and sta.
tions from the centre of the city, and espeoi-
ally those of the Pennsylvania roads, Is
urged internationally at every session of Con-
press. But we see no evidence that there is
any general popular sentiment behind the
demand. And considering the difficulty Of
securing action in Congress, we see no like
lihood whatever of any legislation in the
near future ousting the railroads from Their
present convenient stations When it was
first proposed to invade the Mall with rail
road tracks THE SUNDAY HERALD protested
against it vigorously and incessantly, ana
did not cease its opposition until the act had
passed. Our words of warning seemed IN
affective TO rouse the apathetic community
And II there was no public sentiment strong
enough 10 prercni the location of station at
sixth street, can it be expected that Q
sentiment has since grown up poweriul
enouph TO undo, at great expense and IN
convenience, TO the railroad company II moi
the public, what was so easily done ter
wears arop The arguments against per
mittinr railroad to cross the Mall were
,oncold stronger than any which can b'
brought in favor of compelling the com
many to abandon a site which it has occn
n;ed for wears and upon which it has mad
very costly improvements
During these years business and popuia
,ion have been adjusting themselves to TN
conditions created by the act OF Consres
granting its present location ana flgh'S
,be railroad company. The damage ha
been done. and it cannot be undone IN III
ro, nronosed. Meanwhile the agitation l
inst sufficient to create feeling OF uneasines
and insecurity. and to prevent the measure
which ought to be taken to protect lie an
todiminish as much as possible the opslru'
,on and defacement caused by the tracks
.rha erection of the bridge which the con
many propose. TO afford carrlage-Way oV'
,ho railroad. Is one of these measures.
orrt+ also TO be considered whether 1t Is NJ
feasible to considerably lower the tracks an
.o Orovid. crossings above grade for sewers
of ,he streets between Sixth street and u
Long Bridge. A safe means OF getting to u
,rharrss and to South Washington is Il
more important than the pleasure dri'
across the Mall. But more important thi
ANYTHING else is proper lsola'loh o' u
tracks from the streets by the erec'loh
solid hoard fences ON both sides OF all IA
roods within the city limits, with SWIM
gates and flagmen at every street crossing
Grade. This is a measure of lmiheul'
and pressing necessity, and 1t ought ho'
wait upon the uncertainties OF plans
,;,,slv to he soon realized for removal oil |
s,o,;ons and grand union station.
,,r,otical fact should not be overlooked TN
while there may be considerable seh'i"'
in favor of union station III the apsr"
onv definite plan is sure to encounter
opposition to those who think they h@V'
better one, in addition to the opposition
the railway companies and their friends
we'll as of that large part OF the commun
which has not as yet been heard from W
have been quietly enjoying the comforts
advantages of our centrally located ra'i"
stations. We may add that the commerc
and business advantages of central state
are we'll understood in other cities, even
they are coolly overlooked by the Wash'
ton advocates of their summary remoVa
.la suburls