Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-26

OF the city continues to be cut in two by ore road
and the streets OF the northea stern section rem
dered impossible by the other"
In 1855 the Commissioners said: 81 SO far as
practicable the two roads Baltimore and Ohio
| and Baltimore and Potomac) should enter and pass
through the city on substantially the same lines;
| p The principal passenger depot should be a
union building. or composed Of two independent
structures adjoining each other; 3. This depot
should be central In its location ana conveniently
| reached from the principal hotels; A. Suitable
provision should be made for handling freight,
and otherwise meeting the requirements OF a
| well-regulated railroad without unduiy iniuring
the adjoining property; ). Provision should be
made for avoiding TO the greatest extent possible
street-erOsSing oil the Stearn-car track at grades G.
The duties and powers OF the Commissioners OF
The District in relation to the railroads should be
NOR clearly denned In relation TO the route to
DE- followed through the city the Commissioners
would add, as their opinion, that the Baltimore
and OHIO road should Join with the line OF the Po-
been indicated In previous reports and discussions
abandoning the northeast section of the CITY III
practicable. The two roads might then be allowed
10 place their main depots in the vicinity
OF the present Potomac depot approachin g
the same by covered tracks, leaving Virginia
avenue at point midway between 9th and 9TH
streets west The tracks on 9th street should be
entirely removed, so as to- open that important
thoroughfare TO the public use. The Commits
shown itself Con their part as well as by the pub
Hcl 10 the occupation OF any part OF the Mall for
railroad purposes; but having already held on to
Potomac Co. will strenuously antagonize any
movement looking to It's removal theie from and
undoubtedly It would be difficult to select depot
SITE tnat would better accommodate the travelling
pubic, citizens or the District as well as its
numerous visitors. The principal objection to the
present arrangement Is the compete apprOpria-
ton OF 9th street by the railroad and the obstruc-
ton OF pleasure travel through the system OF parks
eAtendlng from the White Lot to the Capitol. But
ootn OF theSe objections Will be eliminated II the
approach to the depots should be made In the
manner now Indicated in this report; certainly
ohe rairoad companies could make no substantial
In 1886 the Commissioners show that the dis
, Uouraseihent which comes from many disappoint-
ments and the ignoring OF their Recommendations
Is Ielt by them as In 1885.
Whle In general approving the idea of a COM
mon entrance, the Commissioners do not at this
existing routes, but do earnestly invite attention
70 the necessity Tor compelling minor altera-
1Ions Wnch could be presently effected at no
sIeat cost anu at the same time serve important
public interests
The changes recommended are to require Bal
,ror anu potomac to cease using streets for
lIelgnt and storage purposes and to abandon 9th
street; and 10 require Baltimore and Ohio to come
lnIo city oy single line OF entrance and TO remove
slatlon 70 the eastward OF North Capitol street.
In 1887 hope seemed to revive In the Commits
slOnerS, and an admirable special report to the
Senate resulted They said:
The existing means OF rail TRANSFORMATION OF
Doth KINDS exhibit many Objectionable features
ana serious detects. Prominent among these, in
Sne eS9 OF sseamfaways the occupancy Of
crossings, alike dangerous to life and limb de-
structlve 10 property Interests OF great value,
lnimical TO private rights, and opposed to public
policy as in conflict with the rights and neces-
sltleS or modern community. Originally estab-
hshed when Washington was an unkempt village
VI inconSlderaole extent AMI population, and Of
Importance save as the seat OF Government, the
railroads, more mindful apparently OF their corpo-
iale interests Than or their true character and
functions as public servants, have not only failed
10 adapt themselves TO the growth and enlarg-
Ing interests OF the community, but have in some
respects put themselves in direct antagonism
eyDalStDl
lnSS ana The occupancy OF public space far beyond
thelr chartered rights and privileges.
III Is Out just 10 the Baltimore and Potomac to
say Inat IN the construction or Its main lines and
stations 1t is believed have restricted itself TO
us IaWIully-acqured privileges and that its SER
vice partakes OF that minuteneSS OF care and
attention 10 the comfort and safety OF passengers
which IS so marked a feature In the railway sys-
TEN OF which 1t forms portion; but in the occu.
patton OF public space 10 which IL is not entitled
In the crossing OF streets not authorized by law,
In the expansion and multiplication OF side-trackS
ana switches, and in particular in the unlawful
Use and occupation OF public streets as freight
and storage yards, to the obstruction OF public
travel and the great detriment aud annoyance Of
private rights, the road has exhibited that tend
ency toward the protection OF its interests in
disregard OF those OF others, and the violation OF
public rights which large business corporations
OF this character are sure to display In the ap-
sence OF watchfulness and neediul restraining
lie by both these wealthy corporations have long
been the cause OF earnest protest and have led M
IIequcnt anu urgent appeals 10 Congress for re-
ureSS on the part OF the District government and
others. From time TO time plans have been pre-
pared ana submitted for the better adjustment OF
the railway sySteHio to the Dpb11~ -Ovo,
no step OF importance has been taken, and the IN
terests the District continue TO suffer In yearly
measure. 1t IS believed that Congress
Is now prepared 10 deem the time ripe for action,
and 10 make such final order upon the subject as
a whole as shall best subServe the public interests,
and allay, so far as may De, all legitimate grev-
anceS.
'As TO the union station, the considerations con-
trolling the selection OF the site II the proposed
route be adopted, would clearly Indicate the inter-
section OF Virginia and Maryland avenues and Sth
and streets as best meeting the requirements.
circle struck from the designated point, with a
mile radius, Will include all the centers OF busi-
ness and nearly all the great Federal Offices with
the Executive Mansion and the state, War, and
Navy building lying just outside.
the vicinity Is now reached by established lines
or street cars and additional facilities OF access
can be readily afforded II desired, and handsome
and capaciOus structure, rising from below the
street surface. with suitable architectural fea-
lures and surroundings could be so constructed
and arranged as TO be no detriment to the neigh
borhood or Objectionable from any point OF view,
The route proposed brought the Baltimore and
Ohio down nth street east and sunk the tracks
along Maryland and Virginia avenues, removing
the obstruction TO convenient access by the pub
lc 10 south washington and the river front.