Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-20
CITY AND DISTRICT.
OPPOSED To RAILROAD TRACKS.
A Petition TO Congress from Residents
aud Property Owners on Tenth Street

The following petition is being circulated
among persons residing or owning property on
10th street, and viii at an early day be pre-
sented To Congress:
The undersigned, residents and property
owners on 10th street northwest, in the City
OF Washington. respectfully bat earnestly pro-
test against the passage of that clause in either
OF the bills now before Congress, or of any bill
which may hereafter come before either house
OF that body, which authorizes or contemplates
She laying down OF a street railway track on any
part OF said 10th street northwest between
Boundary street and Pennsylvania avenue.
Your petitioners further represent that such
surrender of said 10th street northwest to a
private corporation is not necessary for the &C
commOdatfon of the people residing or doing
business on that thoroughiare, nor of the public
ut large, but that, on the other hand, it would
prove detrimental and damaging to the inter
ssts of each. The street railway lines now laid
northwest, from the Boundary to and across
pennsylvania avenue, furnish ample facilities
streets between those two lines and TO those
living on 10th street, WELL and likewise to
the general public having occasion to travel be-
tween Boundary street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. I'm The vicinity thus accommodated, so that
the proposed line berein protested against is
not demanded by any consideration based upon
the public good or convenience.
Your petitioners further respectfully repre-
sent that to allow the present excellent pave
ment on the said 10th street northwest between
the points named to be disturbed and displaced
would be the wanton and indefensible sacrifice
of a costly, valuable and useful public improve
ment, which Is imperatively required for gene
raj in its existing shape and condition.
With the railway tracks now laid and Oper-
ated In 9TH. 9th aud 18th streets, and with
the continuity of Sth street twice broken, first
by Mount Vernon Square and again by the
Patent Office Building. 10th street, which 1t is
now proposed to invade, remains the only
thoroughfare between 9th and 18th streets-or
o space extending north and south half mile
In widtii-on which wagons, carriages and
tor tod
and undisputed right of way; and to permit
railway tracks to be laid therein, as is now pro-
Your honorable body. would materially inter
1ere with and largely prevent ordinary travel
on said street, and thus work a serious hardship
rights and interests should ever be held para
mount To the wishes OF speculative corpora
tons.
Your petitioners further respectfully repre-
sent that, whereas the carriage way between
the curbing on the east and west sides of said
10th street northwest is less than 81 feet in
width, to lay railway tracks of the ordinary
gauge with the usual space between the two
lines would leave a clear space of less than
feet on either side thereof, which Is manifestly
not enough for the purposes for which roads
and streets are created, dedicated and inn
proyed,-viz: the safe and easy meeting, pass
ing and turning of wheeled vehicles; and 1t
would also interfere with and largely prevent
the necessary stoppage of such conveyances in
ments for the purpose of putting of or taking
on OF persons and merchandise, etc., thereby
seriously interfering with the rights and privi-
leges of persons residing or doing business
said 10th street northwest, and also materially
dcpreciatiDg the market value of all property
fronting or abutting thereon.
For these reasons and for others which will
doubtless suggest themselves to the minds of
your honorable body, your petitioners protest
against the passage OF the clause above referred
TO, and they will, as in duty bound to them
selves and to the public at large, ever pray, &c.
Roller SIX ating I'm the Capitol Grounds.
Editor Of The EVENING STAR:
Would you please inform a subscriber If
there Is any law against roller skating in the
Capitol grounds? and If so, why is it permitted
on one side of the hill and not on the other?
also why IL is not printed in the rules and regu-
lations at the entrance to the grounds?
SKATER.
CThe law does not mention roller skating but
there is q law prohibiting the use of the Capitol
park by children as a play ground. Officials
at the Capitol state that no distinction is made
between the two sides of the hill in executing
the law.J