Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-02
PENDING RAILROAD WAR.
Threatened Conflict on 14th Street

Threatened Conflict on 14th Street.
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS DIRECT THE CHIEF OF
POLICE TO PREVENT THE B. AND r. K. R. COMPANY
FROM LAYING TRACKS ACROSS l4TE STREET.
1t vas mentioned in yesterdays STAR that Mr.
Enoch Totten, attorney for the B. and P. Railroad
company, had sent the District Commissioners a
notice that the company intended to proceed lay
their tracks across 14th street TO make connection
with square 2S3, purchased by the company for the
purpose OF freight depot.
TIE COMMISSIONERS IN REPLY TO Mr.. TOTEM.
The Commissioners at their meeting yesterday
afternoon sent the following to Mr. Totem in re
Spouse to his notice:
"sir: Referring to your notice. dated 2eth ultimo,
OF the intention Of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad company to construct certain tracks
across 18th street southwest to connect IT'S property
In square 267 With square 233, am directed TO
reply that the Commissioners know OF no law un-
Ger which the B. and r. R. r. company are author
manner indicated, and, accordingly, have i'd
structed the chief OF police to interfere and pre-
vent such occupation until you show TO their salts
faction ample authority Of law for the same"
ORDERS TO TEE CHIEF OF POLICE.
At the same time they sent the following to CHIEF
Of Police Dye:
"SIR: mclosed herewith ind copies Of letter this
day received from Mr.. Enoch Totten, attorney fol
Baltimore and Potomac railroad company, and OF
reply to the same. am directed TO request you to
keep yourself advised OF any proceedings looking
to the occupation OF 14th street as contemplated by
said company without permit from this office, and
unless hereafter directed to the contrary. to
promptly take all necessary steps TO prevent such
The notice sent by Nj. Totten was referred to At
torney Riddle, also copy Of their reply to him,
and desire expressed for his opinion whether the
occupation OF 14th street as proposed Is sanctioned
"If you md no such law" say the Commission
ers "please give your views as TO the most advsa-
bic course for them tn In ffa NATTER
THIS Is the present state OF the case.
TIE SCENE OF THE THREATENED CONFLICT.
Last evening there was q considerable crowd OF
persons living in the vicinity OF the Long Bridge
assembled about Maryland avenue and l4th street
anticipating that something would be done. as the
attention Of the police was called to that psrticu-
lar quarter, but no action was taken on either side
and no disturbance occurred.
THE INTENTIONS OF Tm COMPANY.
This matter Of connecting the B. and r. railroad
believed to be part OF general plan OF this COM
pany to 90 to the mouth Of Rock creek for a Depot
The vice president Of this company has spent days
In the advocacy OF such plan and permit to cross
not see their way clear TO issue permits for railroad
companies to occupy the streets, and refer all
such petitions to Congress The temporary tracks
monument will DOW soon be torn UP and removed,
there being no further occasion for them. 1t Is
understood that 1t was question with the Com
whether they should Or should not recommend Z
heavy expenditure for the thorough improvement
OF 14th street. from the Long bridge 70 Fennsyiva-
mia avenue, as the necessary travel over this
bridge Just1feS such an outlay. In connection
with this improvement the Commissioners consid-
cred the project OF continuing 18th street By suit
able grade through TO the Long bridge, striking It
somewhere south OF the northern channel Of the
river, on the Kidweu Bottoms These, In the optn.
ion OF the Commissioners, are improvements which
cannot long be delayed.
ATTORNEY RIDDLE RECOMMENDS FORCE.
Mr.. Riddle has made an answer 70 the Commits
kioners that ''the railroad company has Just the
rights granted by Congress, and no more. II 18th
street lies across route granted to It by Congress
it can cross 1t, otherwise It cannot The fact that
It owns properties In different sections OF the city
that 1t wishes to connect by track gives 1t NO
right or shadow Of right to do so.
/ think tie order TO the major Of police exactly
In the the line OF power as OF duty. j recommend
prevention Of this crossing by force. They may
90 to the courts You are not compelled to. No
government can be worked that feels Obliged to Sc.
cure the aid Of courts 70 afrmattveiy enforce its
ofueiS