Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-22

What Citizens of South Washington
Say-PrOPerty Owners Who Want to
Have the Tracks Removed from
Maryland Avenue.

Mr. George White, aproperty owner and business
man OF South Washington when asked by STAR
reporter for his views concerning the measures be
fore Congress providing for change In the steam
railroad routes, said: Railroads benefit to
city, and ought to be encouraged under certain
restrictions l do not think that the railroads
ought to be pushed too far. 1t is my opinion that
the tracks should be removed from 9th street,
where they distgure the public park. I think the
plan OF running the railroads along the line OF
street and Water street is good. The railroads
ought to besouth OF Maryland avenue. with depot,
perhaps, west Of 9TH street somewhere
Mr. White, who owns number OF houses on
Maine avenue and street, near the 9Th street
planned OF the railroad nuisance. He had no difli-
Guilty. however, in renting his houses, though he
thought he could get higher rent for them II the
railroad tracks were removed.
Mr.. WIN. J. STEPHENSON,
coal dealer and wharfnger said to STAR reporter
that he had not carefully inspected the bills before
Congress. He was inclined to think that the rail-
ROAD tracks would not be removed, as little atten-
ton was paid TO the wants or wishes OF the citi-
ZeIS or the District. II was, he thought, shame
that Il wide and beautiful avenue like Maryland or
Virginia avenue should be given up to the uses OF
a railroad. Although freight depot had been es-
tabished at New Jersey avenue. stu the residents
on Maryland avenue were subjected to the NUS
ance OF constant shifting OF cars The German
DILL ne said, instead of remedyfng this would, rs
he understood IT, make things worse, as it would
permit the railroad to lay four tracks these
NUTS. MI stephenson said Ill1C lie was In favor OF
the route proposed by the Morrill, bill. he under
stood it. He thought very little property interest
would be affected by bringing the roads in along
south X street to Water street. Some OF the bust
ness men on Water street thought this would in
terfere with their traffic but his opinion was that
II would be rather benefit than otherwise. IT
would do away, for instance, with the necessity
coal dealers are now under OF maintaining two coal
yards.
Mr.. HENRY KNIGHT,
VINO lives in very fine dwelling on Maryland ave-
nue., between 18th and 18th streets southwest said
yesterday to STAR reporter that he was one of the
original fighters Of these railroads since they first
Settled themselves upon Virginia and Maryland
avenues without the consent OF the citizens on the
line. out he had not been quite persistent since
nc l;tu secured an injunction upon three OF the
tracks On the south side of the avenue This in
junction Is perpetual, so far as he knows. Before
that time the managers and engineers of the B. and
+. road seemed to take pleasure in backing and
llng their engines and cars in front OF his dwell
Ing all day and night He was unable to sleep or
TO take any pleasure at his home on account OF
noise, DUST, smoke and all the rackets and cOnfll-
slonS Incidental to railroad business. For more
IMAM Il year they had through this injunction been
rld OF much annoyance. His wrath had somewhat
abatetl since the but still the terrible evil was be-
lore their eyes all the time; his home had nearly
been shaken to pieces by the continuous Earring OF
passing trains; the walls and ceilings OF his house
We're cracked. and he had been rest rained from
making improvements to his house by reason of this
ROAD. Being asked what the effects of the removal
OF the tracks off Maryland avenue would be- Mr.
Knight said the property in that section would en-
nance In value; improvements would turn in that
direction, and it would not be long before a good
class OF citizens would be seeking homes In that d.
fectlon, and they would have thrifty local bust
ness established. as In other parts of the District
AS TO me bills now before Congress- he could hardly
say which he favored, as he had not read them He
might safely say. in general way, that lie was n
favor OF any one which would relieve Maryl
avenue OF these tracks He thought the Merrill hill
seemed 10 meet the case pretty WELL though he
aware that some of his neighhors south of Maryland
avenue would be tormented in the same way By the
Trains or the many evils attending these thor
Ou5ilfareS for railroads through this city he
thought there would be less on this route proposed
ny Tie Morrlil bill. so far he had knowledge OF
Tie measures prUpOSed