Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-10

Washington. and much grenieS ihan hat
oG NIL the other daily papers here added
sogether.
The Indefinite postponement OF the local railroad
problem by the senate District committee affected,
u seems only the proposition OF comprehensive
Dian for the direct relief Of the people from rail-
rosd grievances and bill bestowing certain Privi-
Ieges upon the Il. and p. road has recently been
reported to the Senate from that committee. This
measure leglliZes the hitherto unauthorized occu-
patton by railroad certain ground freight
purposes, gives IL the right acquire by conden-
nation 'such additional property asmay be needed
ssouth OF Maryland and Virginia avenues" author
lies such traversing, crossing and use OF streets,
avenues or public spaces may be necessary to
extend It's tracks to the condemned property and
10 other property now owned by it, directs the
Commissioners TO supervise the carrying out OF
The provisions OF the act, and in conclusion IN
ninchi1gly exacts that the road II II exercises
these privileges shall 60 so ct Its own expense and
that no part OF the cost shall be thrown upon
the Uuited states or the District OF Columbia.
The contribution By the latter parties OF streets,
avenues and public spaces to be traversed,
crossed and used By the railroad ard OF the serv-
ices OF the Commissioners as supervisors is proba-
bly, viewed as exempting them from any duty 10
pay 70: private property condemned for the rail-
roads benent. Otherwise it may be presumed
that the United States would have been required
70 follow the weliestablished custom OF supplying
the roaA free OF cost with whatever real estate IL
may need at the capital, though Uncle Sam him.
self may have TO buy the land before presenting It,
In respect 70 the form OF the bill 1t may be sug-
Sested that the portion OF the city subject to be
condemned, and OF which the streets may be used
dor railway purposes In reaching the condemned
property should be described more definitely. II
all the land south OF Maryland avenue ana all the
land south OF Virginia avenue will be open 10 the
railroad, IL may traverse the public space OF the
Capitol grounds 10 a freight station In Northeast
washington, or occupy the Mall on It's way 10
freight station in West Washington. II. however
It IS meant that the land 10 be condemned
must lie south of both these avenues, which
cut diagonally across the city, the one
Starting In the southwest and running northeast
The other starting In the southeast and running
Northwest the standard OF measurement is a
clumsy one. single street running east and
west or the line Of the present track should have
been selected from which TO measure southwark.
1t might also, be well TO Indicate how far from its
present track the rowing commission OF the b. and
=. may extend its occupation. By the most narrow
construction Of the bill the streets and reserva-
tons or southwest Washington will be at the
mercy OF the road. By buying cheap lot as far
south as possible the railroad would secure tue
free use OF mile OF street surface, to be filed
with tracks and Illegally but ineXpensively, occu-
pied for freight and storage purposes There IS no
limit upon the number OF freight yards which |
may be secured and 70 which tracks may be run
"A second lot might be obtained on south L street
and the arsenal grounds tTaversed and occupied
as 'Public space" In reaching IL. The railroad
could select any northand-south street it migpt
choose with which TO reach most conveniently n
position on the river 'front.' Congress should thor
oughly understand the extent and poppIa-ton
OF the southwest section or the city OF which II
proposed 10 place the streets, ARD pubIfc
spaces at the disposal OF the railroad Private
property condemned for freight purposes should
BE- ad1aeent TO the avenues at present occupied by
tracks and no excuse should be given the road 10
occupy miles OF streets and reservation with
tracks, furnishing free freight yards. on the plea
of reaching some Insignificant pieces OF ground at
The most sou1herly points OF South Washington.
III the railroad would AVIAN itself OF the bill when
more carefully guarded, otherwise than 10 |
acquiesce in the legalizing OF its illegal holdings
ana 10 cross lfth street, Obstructing the way to
the Long Bridge, In order 10 reach the small and
inadequate property already secured by II for
freight purposes, but from which in the absence
OF permission by Congress- IL has been kept by the
supreme Court OF the United states the effect NJ
The legislation would be good The grant OF these
privileges TO the road, with the promise OF Incl.
dental BENEFITS 10 the public, should however
form part Of a general plan for the relief Of the
public from railroad grievances The people ot
Washington need the sinking below grade or ela,a
fion above grade, where either is practicable of
ali steam railroad tracks In the CITY
relief from unnecessary and illegal tracks from
dangerous grade crossings. from Illegal occupa |
lion OF public property and Illegal use OF public
property legally occupied. from unsghtly stations
or unsightly approaches to stations and from the
obstruction and choking with surface tracks of |
two quarters OF theSclty. The B. and O. Railroad
wants southern Connections The h. and p Rail-
road wants additional freight and storage facni-
lies All the PARTIES must come to Congress with
fhese requests. Congress should satisfy them all
AT once Dy n statesmanlike and COMPREHENSIVE
plan The b. and o., Tor the sake of southern
connectous, Is willing 10 cure substantially the
evils which il imposes upon the community. The
u. anaP. should not be granted the privileges
WHICH II needs and now asks unless il makes SIM
lar concessions To pass the bill under consider
alion VIII be 10 deprive Congress and the people
OF washington, whom that body is supposed TO
represent, OF the only available means OF driving
bargain with the b. and p. for the relief OF pub
lie grievances Congress VIII not compel the road
10 reform, and now proposes surrender the only
material IL possesses which can be used In barter
FOR concessions.
The cattle uDOn a rhOn5and hills axrao,a1 "a,