Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-30

"denlugtDu aSSentS 10 the opinion or senators
Vest and ingalls,, and OF Lieut.. Green, expressed
several years ago, that the railroad question Is by
far the most important OF all concerning which
legislation is now proposed for the District OF Co
lumbia The time nxed by the Senate for the con-
sideration OF the railroad bills has arrived and
there Is a faint expectation OF some favora-
bic action by that body In the imme-
oiate future The evils TO be remedied
are the dangerous and dis1guring presence
In two sections OF the city OF unnecessarily
numerous surface tracks and grade crossings, the
Illegal occupation Of certain streets and reserva-
tions, the Illegal use as storage yards or freight
depotS OF streets and reservations rightly occupied
only for transit purposes, and the gratuitous
grant OF the city's only large park to corpora
tiOns, involving shameful breach OF trust. The
results OF these evils are long list OF killed or
wounded citizens, the decrease or destruction OF
property values, the loss 10 the capital OF the
great park OF It's original plan, the cutting OF from
The city OF the river front, and the
hopeless obstruction Of the growth and
improvement OF a large part OF Washington. The
remedies requested are Q) the removal OF the pres
ent tracks from northeast Washington, the BaIti-
more and Ohio 10 enter the city either along the
Eastern Branch, which is preferred by the section
specially concerned, or If that route is not to be
secured, along single north and south street, the
farther east the better, with the tracks hidden so
lar as It Is possible in tunnel; CT the removal
OF most OF the surface tracks and grade crossings
IN south Washington, either by conducting all rail-
roads on an elevated road along or near the river
'front.' which is preferred IN that section or
as a more generally popular plan by sinking the
tracks IN their present location and by girder-
tunnel and bridges overcoming the obstruc-
ton to trade and travel between the main city
and the river mont and South Washington; and C9
the clearing OF all tracks and stations from the
mall, and the erection of adjacent stations at
some point near to its south line and the busi-
ness center OF the city as can be secured. The
evil OF numerous surface tracks and grade cross
ings should be corrected by Congress IN any event.
even It cannot muster courage 10 save the park
SO far as remedying the evil OF Illegal acts by the
railroads Is concerned, the most that Washington
can hope from Congress is that the matter Will be
left 70 the courts. The congressional method OF
correcting these nlegalities by the local rail-
roads Is not TO forfeit privileges as punishment,
or 10 restrain In any way the usurpations
but 70 legaliZe the Unauthorized acts Washing
tons supplemental request Is that whatever may
be refused IL in the way Of positive relief against
railroad evils, Congress viii also refuse to inter-
vene 10 protect these corporations against the
sequences OF a eOntemptuOus disregard Of the law
The important question is not whether Congress
has sole power TO bury the overhead wires or some
trace OF authority Ia the matter can be discovered
IN the commissioners, or whether the electric light
wires can safely rest in the same conduit with
telegraph and telephone wires or separate con-
Quits must be provided, or whether the conduits
should run under sidewalk, curbing, gutter drive
way or car-track. These are incidental matters
necessary OF course TO be investigated and decided
but only In perecting the details OF an underground
system, after agreement upon the general plan
The important question is, viii Congress insist
upon the burial OF the wires? VIII it say that the
overhead wires must go, and enforce its order?
Representative McCOmas did good work for
Washington yesterday In the House debate on
this subject. lie made excellent use Of the facts
stated in the report furnished by Commissioner
Raymond. OF which an abstract was recently
printed In The STAR In showing the entire practi-
cability Of the burial OF all kinds OF wires in WASH
ington. 1t might be supposed that what has
been done In Philadelphia, Brooklyn and
other cities could be done here, but this report
indicates that In respect to nearly half OF Washing
tons wires the work has been already accom-
plished. Mr.. McComas stated fOrcibly the dangers
and Inconvenience OF the overhead system and In
conclusion said: '1f It be the sense OF the House
should ike TO have 1T say and insist that these
wires shall no longer incumber the air, but shall
within reasonable time, In a reasonable manner,
and under reasonable conditions, be put under
ground and that no other wires shall be put above
ground after the adjournment OF this Congress"
The House seemed 10 be with Mr.. McCOmas in
this matter. The expressions OF Senators, In the
recent debate, tended in the same general direc-
ton No difference OF opinion In respect TO details
should be permitted 10 delay the adoption OF the
underground system for the Capital or cause
Washington TO lose the present favorable opportu-
nifty or securing congressional action.