Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-06
ILLEGAL RAILROAD TRACKS.
Recommendations of Capt. Symons as to
the South Washington Grievances.

The consideration of the alleged illegal rail-
road tracks in South Washington took up
portion of the Commissioners time this morn
ing. Captain Symons' recommendations on
the railroad subject were made public
WITH REFERENCE TO THE Il STREET TRACK
Captain Symons says:
Zone of the objects of the Commissioners
in granting the permit to the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad company to occupy II street,
from South Capitol street to Canal street. was
to prevent. as far as practical, the accumula-
ton of cars on Maryland and Virginia avenues
This street, ending as il does at South Capitol
street, at the old James creek canal. and at the
other end with the network Of railroad tracks
along Canal street, is of no use to the public as
thoroughfare or as a street; and the squares
on each side being occupied for railroad pur-
poses by the railroad tracks is Of no use to the
public as a street or thoroughfare.
The retention Of the tracks would undoubt-
edly be great benefit to the railroad company
and to the public. In the absence of any law
for permitting this track to be laid on street
or permitting the Commissioners to grant au-
tbority for it
The QUESTION IS LEGAL ONE
rather than one of expediency. If the Com
missioners have the power to permit this track
to remain I would recommend that it be per-
United to remain until the railroad
company has a chance to appeal
to Congress. as stated by Mr. Totem
very much TO be desired that the railroad COM
pany would concentrate its tracks and its freight
business, as far as practicable, in the locality
lying to the east of the old
James Creek canal, in the vicinity of these
tracks, complained of. They are more out OF
the way in this locality than they would be in
any other locality in South Washington. and
think that the railroad company should be en-
couraged to locate their car yards and freight
depots in this vicinity rather than that thew
should be discouraged from ii"
OBSTRUCTION OF z STREET.
In reference to a late letter from Messrs.
Parker and Dwyer, Captain Symons says:
This communication refers to three subjects.
One Is the obstruction on the line OF Z street:
another is the track siding entering the
freight depot, the third is the alleged illegal
occupation Of the public alley in square 493
ANY one travelling along E street is obliged
to cross the railroad track either at LIST or Cd
avenue until they come to Il street
again, and then proceed. Any one
crossing the tracks in any direct line
OF Z street crosses them at very acute angle, it
being l73 feet from one fence line to the other
This is undoubtedly an obstruction to a public
street, and L would recommend that the
railroad company be directed to remove their
fences from the line of the roadway of street
TO erect safety gates and to put their tracks in
proper condition for crossing. The second
point Is the entrance into the freight depot Of
THE SIDE TRACK.
This side track, near as can ascertain.
was constructed TO enter the old round-house
located on this square when the railroad
was first built, and as 1t has been ac-
quiesced in all Of these years, would recon-
mend that il be allowed to remain AZ it is. Ii
Is IN almost Us entire course between the build
ing lines OF Virginia avenue.
According 10 the views of the attorney and
the Commissioners, the Commissioners would
have full authority to grant a permit for this
siding if it dad not cross any portion of street.
The track could therefore be changed 20
be within the purview Of the law II the
present track should be ordered to
be removed, the Commissioners could
grant a permit TO lay the track marked in
pencil. This would simply amount to throw
ing unnecessary burden upon the railroad
company without in the slightest degree &C
complishing any good or doing any benefit to
| anybody.
''THE THIRD POINT
is the alleged Illegal occupation OF the public
alley in square 493. 1t appears from Mr..
Bailey's report that this alley, although
| legally and properly condemned, has never
been paid for and as to its status Of being a
public alley, think there is at least a reason
able doubt, which is rather o question of law
| than Of engineering"
| II IL understood that there will be several
| revocations OF illegal permits in few days.
MEssRs. PARKER AND DwYER
sent another letter to the Commissioners. in
which they ask them, If they do not intend to
set on the letters, to forward them, with the
asidavits. to the district attorney.