Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-19
CITY AND DISTRICT.
To FIGHT THE RAILROADs.


CITIZENS Of the Southeast Propose an
Aggressive Warfare.
A sxrnnsH LIVE on IAvYEks TO BIZ THROWN our
A PROPOSITION TO FORCE TIE B. q O. TO ACCEPT
fHB IAsrrRs BRANCH ROUTE BIT BRINGING THEN
rxro corzr-A coMNIrTEE TO WATCH FOR EVERY
VIOLATION OF Law.
Despite the warm weather, q few faithful men,
bers OF Association No. 2, or the Southeast Wash
ington Association, assembled last night 70 talk
over matters OF interest " that section Dr. s. A.
II. McKim presided. MI. Z B. stocking stated
that the committee that arranged for the railroad
mass-meeting last Thursday night proposed 70
circulate petitions throughout the northeast and
southeast sections Of the city TO be presented TO
the senate and House District committees pro-
testing against any legislation permitting a rail-
road 70 cross this city.
THE EAsTEgy BRANCH BRIDGE.
Mr.. Weller stated that last Thursday ne had an
interview with Secretary Endicott In relation to
the delay In the work OF constructing the Eastern
Branch bridge, and that the secretary had prom
ised 70 give the matter his immediate attention.
MI. Weller said the railroad company expressed
Willingness 70 contribute $4,000 as itssha OF the
expense Involved In changing the plans This, to-
geJher with the additional appropriation OF
$4,000 BY Congress, would provide fund OF
siS2 500 for the bridge. leaving at least $4,000
10 be expended the work OF the bridge AFTER de-
Quoting fair amount for ONCE expenses, the
cost or inspection, sc. The contractor said this
District
Mr.. Hardin suggested that the trouble with the
railroad company did not prevent work from being
pushed forward on the other side OF the branch.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr.. Weller also called attention TO the fact that
OF the measures proposed by the Senate District
committee, In appropriations for street improve
Iaents Southeast Washington received but a, OC0.
Mr. Hardin ami Mr.. ShOmo spoke OF the fact that
the Senate committee omitted the proposed i'm
prOvement OF c street, between Attn and 9th. They
were Of the opinion that this Indicated an inten-
ton or throwing the open spaces on either side Of
Pennsylvania avenue, between Attn and 9Th streets,
into PARK or circle. Mr.. Hardin said that Col
blackwell had LOT several years urged such pro
colonel and urged that IL would be inexpedient
and unjust 70 cut on In that way the only direct
Col. Rockwell bad finally dropped the recommend
alton from his report
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.
Mr.. Stocking made a speech on the railroad ques-
ton, proposing a new line OF action TO be followed
He said their Intention was TO secure the adop-
ton Of the Eastern Branch route for the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Could they enforce the Baltl-
more and Ohio road TO adopt that route? lie
thought they could They had in their section
great many people, constantly annoyed by acts
of the Baltimore and Potomac road, and there
were people In the northeast who were similarly
annoyed By the Baltimore and Ohio road. He
proposed that the Baltimore and Ohio Co. should
know that unless they accept the Eastern Branch
route they would have 70 go into court and estab-
"
lieved that actions against them on the ground
that the road caused nuisance could be
He honestly believed that 1t could be shown that
the Baltimore and OHIO had no legal right south
OF the Boundary. Congress had authorized the
construction of their road through certain sQuares
the map showed that they had not gone through
those squares, but had laid the tracks on the
streets As TO the 'Y the occupancy or the streets
there was held by Mr.. Riddle To be unauthorized.
They could, Mr.. stocking thought, take the COM
pany into court on that, and every single
would have 70 60 out backward Without the
authority OF Congress, he said, the mayor and
common council had extended the agreement
10 the occupancy OF the Baltimore and ohio OF
their present location for thirty years. making the
term extend until 1910. Congress he claimed was
alone authorized to make such disposition OF the
streets. He thought there was enough doubt of
the railroad companys rights 10 justify taking the
road into court. He thought there were q dozen
points upon which they could attack the Balti-
more and OHIO, any one OF which was strong
enough TO force the road TO accept their terms As
70 the Baltimore and Potomac road, he said IL
an undeniable fact that they had seventeen tracks
crossing New Jersey avenue, by authority OF the
District Commissioners only, though Congress
alone, he claimed, had authority 10 grant SUCH
rights. He referred TO the annOyances suffered by
the people They mad many points on which they
could 80 into court.
ALAw-ASD-oRDKR COMMITTEE.
Mr.. stocking offered a series OF resolutions pro-
yiding for standing committee OF seven members
10 be known as the law-and-order committee the
duty Of which committee shall be:
ITO thoroughly investigate all laws, ordinances
charters and other sources OF right by. and by
virtue OF, which the Baltimore and Potomac Rail-
road Co. have constructed, located and are holding
Tor use or using any or all tracks, round houses
shops freght-houSes, freight-y ards, car-yardS or
other structures connected with or attached TO
their said road and located in southeast Washing
ton, and II such Investigation indicates with rea-
sonaole certainty any material doubt as to the
tight, power lawfalness, or authority OF said Bal
tifnore and Potomac Railroad Co., 10 construct,
USE locate or hold Tor use, any track building or
other appurtenance, then said committee Is 10 re-
port fully and specifically any unlawful thing or
act or the said company In the premises, 10 This
association" and 'tnat on receiving and adopting
any such report from said committee, this assoeia-
ton pledges itself TO contribute, with all rea5Ona-
bic hoerality, 10 fund, 10 be expended 50 FAR as
necessary In the retention OF capable and reliable
counsel, who shall be authorized 10 make up
case or cases, either at law in equity or boIh,
as Seemetn best, against, and TO bring the SAID
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Co. into a court
OF competent jurisdiction in order TO determine
the rights OF said road and OF our said citizens
spectlyely."
Mr.. stocking said he expected that they would
receive cooperation In this work from the people
OF the Northeast, who were annoyed by the Balti-
more and Ohio road They could he believed save
reservation IL, and save the tunneling OF Capitol
HILL II they showed proper determination TO
protect Their rights he had no doubt they could
maintain their rights He said the Indications
were that the finances OF the Baltimore and Ohio
were not In q condition TO justify the company'S
expending million and a quarter dollars on a
tunnel "What, then" he asked, lis the use OF
knucknng down 70 a bankrupt organization, when
we nave such power In our hands? 1 tell you We
are stronger than the Baltimore and OHIO Rail-
road" Mr.. Stocking suggested that the law-and-
order committee should Ue composed OF lawyers.
AiIer some discussion Mr.. stockings resolutions
were adopted II WAS agreed also that Mr.. stock
Ing should draw up a bill 10 Be urged upon the
House OF Representatives 10 compel the Baltimore
and Ohio To take the Eastern Branch route.
Chairman Mckim Will announce the law-and-
order committee hereafter.
~