Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-29
Death at the Crossings.

To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
The action OF two citizens, who are men
toned in Fridays STAR as having reported to
the District authorities the dangers they ex-
perienced at an unguarded railroad crossing in
this city, is both timely and public spirited,
and the chief of police deserves the thanks of
the community for the firm stand he has taken
in his Recommendation to the Commissioners
in the matter. If every citizen who sees his
own life, or the lives of his fellow-man, unnec-
essarily and unlawfully endangered were to
make 1t his particular business to inform the
municipal authorities of the facts at once in
order that they might act intelligently in the
matter, human life would not SO often be sac
ritced In this city; and each individual, whether
he be the happy and unconcerned bearer
Of a dinner-pail or the occupant of his own
coach, would be respected as a component part
OF vigilant and self-asserting public, that
win not allow itself to be quietly robbed of its
rights to full enjoyment of property and pro-
lection of life and limb. II this be so, then
must not every citizen feel that he is
neglecting a sacred duty, which he owes to his
fellow man, if he do not do this service on be-
half OF the general welfare, whenever he shall
experience or witness sad disaster or narrow
escape from danger, inflicted upon or threat
ening the innocent or the helpless through ha-
bitual neglect, criminal recklessness or wilful
violation of protective laws. Eternal vigilance
Is the price of liberty: so is it the price the
public must pay in order to recover and retain
certain rights which have been so long and so
insidiously encroached upon by the greedy, the
powerful, and the soulless, that their very ex-
istence is doubted. Think of it, Ye citizens
OF Washington, who have been many wears in
the enjoyment OF modern street improvements
In the greater portion of this city. Unlighted.
unguarded, unpaved. much-used. steam railroad
crossings In this city, But this is not all: for
quarter of a mile in Northeast Washington. the
grade Of the railroad is, for some unaccounta-
Bile reason, from hve to fifteen feet above the
natural and legal grade of intersecting
streets; so that two crossings are steep in,
clines on both sides, while two other cross
ings are utterly insurmountable, by any means
whatever, except actual primitive climbing
with not even the aid of steps or a hand-rail
Opposite one Of these obstructed crossings is
the overdowing Blair School building with its
halliday primary schools many of whose little
six-and-seven-year-o scholars must climb this
15-foot embankment in rain or shine morning.
afternoon and evening, to and from their homes
In the same manner as their parents have had
70 do during the past twenty years. These lit
tie toddlers have, however. as vet not even the
protection Of the law in their daily climbings
over this crossing to their homes; as this par
ticular railroad embankment is especially ex-
empted, under the police regulations, from the
requirement that 1.-THE road shall be securely
closed on both sides with q substantial fence,
and all grade crossings shall be securely guard
ed oy suitable gate or guard erected and
saves the company the expense Of fences, gates
and wstchmen, and is, therefore, Just that much
inducement to maintain q solid embankment
across public streets rather than fences and
gates. NoRrHrAsr.
fAsxNoKRs FROM THE SourH.-Dr Stratton re-
ports the arrival Of the following passengers
from the South: II. L Orlintz, w. A. King, W. L.
~ Camp Perry; ". 7. Riggs, Charles
pitt, Augusta, Ga; Frank Eddy and r. I.
heade, Savannah, Ga; Lieut.. G. Hester, Ra-
Leigh n; G.; c. 7. Bergg, Chattanooga, Tenn.