Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-14

The new railroad report and bill presented to
the Citizens Committee by the subcommittee
which had previously recommended the Eastern
Branch route for the d. and O., union station at
reservation H. and elevated tracks for both roads
along < street south, suggest the drirt OF senti-
nsns upon the railroad question. and the ten
dency 20 compromise upon anything practicable
among many who are working for the improve
ment OF present conditions The new route pro-
posed In northeast Washington Is substantially
that last suggested by the b. and o., except that
street one block farther east Is selected 20 avoid
the objection OF possible danger In tunneling near
the new Library building. The route in South
washington and the site OF the passenger stations
are substantially those favored by senator In
gals ana other Senators, and by the District Com
miss,onera Finally the suggestion Is made, as II in
nicer desperation that If Congress will insist upon
perpetuating the evil OF railroad occupation OF the
Mall &c might cure all the other evils In the man
ner suggested. and turn over the entire reserva-
ton In tins vicinity Of the B. and p. tracks to
the railroads putting the B. and o. upon an equal
footing with the b and p, and giving It o station
on Pennsylvania avenue. By this concluding sug-
gestion the subcommittee practically says TO Con-
gress: "Cure the 20 evils which undeniably exist,
and do something. anything you please, with the
hundredth. It's better that the Capitol grounds
themselves should be surrendered to the railroads
for station sites than that the growth OF two
tons OF the city should be longer paralyzed." The
compromise route and station site favored by the
subcommittee, while they viii not be entirely sat
ifactory to extremists In any direction OF opin-
ION, are the logical result of recent events. The
Senate special committee the Commissioners eiti-
sens OF the District, and the B. and o. presented
conflicting plans OF relief from present railroad
evils, and the B. and p, which proposes nothing
In washington except for its own Immediate bene-
nc, and agrees 70 nothing, readily defeated these
plans In detail The necessity is now perceived OF
consolidating all the forces which from varying
motives light for the Improvement Of existing
conditions
In their present relation to this city curious re-
versal Of Position IL In progress between the Bati-
more and Ohio and the Baltimore and Potomac
railroads. When the Baltimore and Potomac
wished to enter the District and give Washington
. competing Northern line, the Baltimore and
Ohio resisted In every Imaginable manner. Now
the Baltimore and Ohio wishes to benent itself
and the city py securing southern connections and
the Baltimore and Potomac stands in the way.
Both roads have arnicted the city with a multi
plication Of grade crossings with the illegal oc-
cupatiOn and use OF streets and reservations,
and with unsightly approaches to unsuitably To-
Gated stations But the Baltimore and Ohio, with
southern connections IN view Is repentant and
promises substantial reform The Baltimore
and Potomac will do nothing, and snarls and snaps
ct any one who makes move TO disturb IL. The
old unpopularity OF the Baltimore and Ohio, based
upon the selfish and lliberal policy then pursued,
gave TO the Baltimore and Potomac its temporary
station site upon the Mall, inexpensive access
thereto along the public streets and the good will
OF the people OF the city, which sent 1t thousands
and thousands OF patrons TO the disadvantage
OF its competitor. The Baltimore and Potomac
now seems TO be endeavoring, with singular perse-
yerance and vgOr TO reverse the situations OF the
two roads, to take itself the position formerly oc-
cupied by the Baltimore and Ohio and to give to
the latter road precisely the advantages which
were originally bestowed by the capital upon
welcome new conner. There Is a chance that It
may succeed.