Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-15

THE MEETING DECLARES AGAINST ANY Rorrr FOR
THE BALTIMORE AND ONO EXCEPT rHg EASTERN
BRANCH RoUTE-THREE CITIZENS OF TIE NORTH
EAST DrssENr-NR. STOCKING PROPOSES TO GO TO
THE COURTS
About two hundred residents and property own
ers OF East Washington assembled IN washington
Hail. capitol Hill, last night in response 10 call
inviting them to '.join in public protest against
allowing any steam railroad TO cross Capitol Hil-
There were few present, however, who dissented
from the protest, and who helped to make the pro-
ceedings at several stages quite lively. On the
wall, beside the platform, was suspended map
OF the eastern part OF the city, showing all the
various routes proposed for taking the Baltimore
and Ohio tracks across the city TO unite with the
baltimore and Potomac tracks In the southeast,
with marks Indicating the location OF churches
Schools hospitals, and other institutions OF pub
lie character along the routes.
Mr.. ). c. Clarke was elected chairman, and Mr..
NJ. Weller secretary of the meeting.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Z. D. Stocking at once brought up the SUBJ
1ect which the meeting was called TO consider by
Offering preamble and resolutions declaring that
1.-THE material adherence for more than a century
TO the original plan OF the city OF Washington,
the preservation OF its recognized beauty, and the
health, comfort, and safety OF its residents de-
mand the prevention OF the grant TO any person
or persons, firm, or corporation OF privilege In
volving the construction and operation OF q steam
railroad across Capitol Hill on any route, either
between streets or upon streets, either grade
above grade, or below grade, by tunnel open cut,
otherwise: that for railroad tunnel through the
heart OF Capito' Hill there Is no necessity what
ever; that the surface route by way OF the Eastern
Branch is entirely practicable and preferable
more feasible, safer, and cheaper. and we never
can consent or patiently submit to the dismay
and discomfort OF Our homes, the desecration OF
our churches, schools, and hospitals, the damage
TO our property and business. and the despolment
OF our beautiful section OF the city, which are In
volved In the project OF tunnel; and, even II IL
were q towering pubic necessity. for which great
sacrifices should be held in subordnation TO para.
mount public Interest, which we deny, the tunnel
should take It's natural, and by far the shortest,
course directly TO Its gratuiously proffered depot
ss II way Of Ne" York avenue and 9th street north
Mr.. Jno. E. Herrell speaking in favor OF the res
olutions, declared that the Baltimore and Ohio
road had discriminated against Washington city
IN every particular and On every occasion IN favor
OF Baltimore; and still they were asked TO spoil
this city Tor the benefit OF this monopoly.
RESERVATION L..
Mr.. Weller gave brief account Of the proceed
ingS OF the subcommittee OF the Senate District
committee that gathered Information relating TO
railroad routes In the city, and said this had led
TO the Introduction OF the bill generally known as
the Faulkner bill, proposing TO bring the b. and o.
road across the city by Sd street east, entering
tunnel at or about street north. This PROPOSE
tion, he said, was similar to that made by tie b.
and .. company, except the company proposed to
use I'd street. lie read also various amendments
proposed to the bill, all OF which, however, In
yoiyed the tunneling OF some street on Capitol
HILL
Mr. Weller, speaking Of reservation IL, or Gar
field Park, OF which he said the railroad COM
panies proposed TO rob the city, said the park
originally the property OF Daniel Carroll or Dud-
dington. This reservation, he said, was destined
for city hall; 1t was called the town hall square
This square was given TO the United States for
SPECIFIC purpose, as the Site of a city hall lie
argued that the United States Government had no
right to divert this park from Its present public
uses TO the use OF private corporation. Congress
might try TO do II, but 1t would remain for the
peal to a higher power. He was OF the opinion
that in case OF such diversion the property would
revert to the Carroll heirs. lie feared, from the
knowledge obtained by him in personal interviews
wiz Rskaaators that the t4lroad corporations
0see6 IA getting the Faulkner bin passed
by the Senate. He doubted however, whether 1t
could pass the House If the people entered their
protest against IT, and he was sure the President
would veto any such measure.
OPPOSED TO THE PROTEST.
Nj. Lorin Chappell, OF Northeast Washington,
said his name had been placed on the call for the
meeting without his knowledge. He hoped that
citizens OF East Washington would not do anything
that would prevent legislation on this question.
He thought tuey were now very near solution OF
some Kind. He could not conceive that Capitol
Hill would be greatly injured by the proposed tun-
neling or ed street; not 50 greatly at least as
Northeast Washington in the portion where the
northeast section considered that far preferable to
leaving matters as they are. il by their disagree
menls they prevented legislation, he thought they
Mr.. ChappeiFs remarks called half dozen men
to their feet, all OF whom took vigorous exception
to the remark that Capitol Hill would not be In
MIR Josiah MIllard, OF Northeast Washington.
supported Mr.. Chappelrs views
He argued against the resolutions, claiming that
they contained much that should not 20 before
Congress. he thought II would be better Tor the
railroad company to 90 around the city, but the
railroad company SAID It would not go around. 1t
would remain where II Is until 1910 He thought
the matter might be safely eft TO the judgment OF
members OF the District cotnnittee
Prof. Thomas Taylor said that IL was a matter
OF interest to the whole people OF the United
States whether the city OF Washington should be
subdivided and cut In two by railroads. The men,
minis on the subject several times, because they
desired to accommodate all interests. If they ap-
preached them in the proper spirit he thought
they would give respectful consideration to II.
Mr.. CURRIDEN OPPOSES.
Mr.. 8. W. Curriden said he represented the
northeast section, which was harried by the rail-
road. The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad was,
however, the monopoly they had to fight. Those
who were ghting Ior these resolutions were light
ing for the Baltimore and Potomac. The Baltimore
and Potomac did not propose TO have the Balti-
more and Ohio 20 around. In Northeast Wash
ington What they wanted to do was to reduce the
nuisance TO minimum. While Mr.. Curriden was
speaking some one called out:
1--WE have seventeen tracks on New Jersey ave-
nue., ana we Q0nt want seventeen more"
MIR. Curriden said the pending bill would reduce
the number OF tracks. The bill be said gives the
right TO every property holder damaged to come
into court.
"Have you ever been in courte, asked some one
In the rear OF the hall. and there was a general
laugh.
Mr. Curriden said he was sure that the majority
OF property owners would favor the settlement OF
the railroad questions by connning the tracks to
one street: He suggested 70 amend the resolution
openings from its mouth to its outlet. which, he
said, would prevent the nuisance OF cinaers and
noise that was feared.
Capt. Ryan said what they wanted to do was to
ance or danger. They were not looking for dam
age suits; they wanted to prevent damages.
Messrs A. Girousfd and Geo. ". Mckee also spoke
in favor OF the resolutions
xR. STOCKING LooKs TO THE couRrs
Mr.. Stocking spoke at length in support OF the
resolution. His remarks were somewhat peppery
and forcble. and he had several passages OF words
and Ohio road had not the right TO remain In its
present location until 1910, and that MIR. Riddle
had given an opinion to that effect He did not
believe in timorous bargain when they had a
Judgments given by the courts day after day
against the railroads They ought not, he main-
tained, to permit any road 70 cross this city on
any street east OF the Capitol or west OF IL. II
route they would get tunnel He maintained
that under rulings OF the Supreme Court Congress
could not grant the use OF public reservations,
which were held In trust, TO any private corpora
II TO the railroad companies he believed any citi-
zen could 20 into court and have them elected.
That could be done, he believed, to-day with the
Baltimore and Potomac road He read from the
Hp Hfth Baptiss church case. lie was looking % for for
authority that would allow him as taxpayer to