Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-11
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.
Citizens Of Northeast Washington VIII
Petition Congress.

An elaborate report was read by Mr.. s. @.
CLARK, chairman Of the committee appointed
by the Citizens association Of northeast WASH
ington, at . meeting of tie association held
last evening. After reviewing the legislation
that has been had with regard to the location
OF the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road company in the northeast section the re-
port finds that the company is entitled TO the
right OF way into the city through certain
streets and squares At speed not over u miles
an hour to the station on New Jersey avenue,
but the company has usurped privileges
neither delegated 10 them nor contemplated
by Congress or the municipal authorities.
Among these usurpations they are daily run
ming at speed absolutely forbidden, they use
the piece OF track known as the ~" without
any authority; they have taken possession of
streets and avenues to the exclusion of all
other persons, and they have occupied the tri-
angular reservation at the intersection Of Della
ware avenue and LIST street, between q and II
streets, in defiance Of Congress. In three or
four places, the report declares, fences have
been set diagonaily across the roadway, and
on street, between I'd and 4th, the road has
exclusive use Of the carriage-way of the street
and part Of the road is more than 10 feet below
the established grade. The reportconcludes that
the company can be indicted as a nuisance, or
enjoined from further use Of its tracks in
Washington, il the matter were taken into the
courts. Before resorting TO this measure, how
ever, the association decided 70 appeal to Con-
gress, and a petition was drawn up asking Con-
gress to take some action which will afford
them relief from the nuisances which they
suffer from. A special committee, consisting
of W. H. Barton, s. C. Clarke and s. H. Wal.
ker, was named to have Mr.. Clark's report con.
densed and printed for presentation to Con.
gress.
THE PETITION
to which signatures will be solicited is as fol-
lows: 1.-The undersigned residents of the Dis
trict Of Columbia respectfully, but very earn
estly, petition for speedy action on your par,
toward q settlement OF the steam railroad
question within the limits of the city of Wash
ington. The present tracks have done meal
culable harm to many parts of the city, anc
especially to East Washington. The uncer
tainty that has up to this time existed as tc
what action would be taken by Congress in the
matter. has made it impossible to build upor
or permanently improve ground near the
present route. These tracks, extended and
scattered far beyond all reasonable require
ment, have made it impossible to improve any
street in their vicinity. and many streets have
long been absolutely impossible from THU
cause. Many accidents have resulted and nearly
100 lives have been lost. This will continue a,
long as the tracks remain as at present. You
petitioners. suffering as they do, in the injur,
done to their property. and from constant per
sonal danger, do not venture to press upon yot
any Of the several plans now before you for the
settlement Of the difficulty, but they do, how
ever, earnestly beg and implore that you will
this present session, settle this matter in som'
way, so that the many closed streets may b,
opened up to passage, valuable ground nov
waste, made available for improvement, and
above all, life and limb protected from constan
danger. Every days delay makes the task o
settlement more difficult"