Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-14
THE CARRIAGE-BLOCKS.
Attorney Riddles Decision that they
are DISTINCTIONS in the Streets.
LETTER FROM CAPT. sYMoys TO MAJOR RAYMOND
EMBoDYINa THE RESULTS OF HIS INQUIRY As TO
THE PRACTICE IN OTHER CITIES.

A LETTER FROM CAPT. sYMoys TO MAJOR RAYMOND
EMBoDYINa THE RESULTS OF HIS INQUIRY As TO
THE PRACTICE IN OTHER CITIES
1t seems as If the recommendation of Capt
Symons, heretofore printed in THE STAR, rela-
tive to the removal of carriage blocks from the
streets, is likely to be approved by the Commits
sioners and orders issued directing their re-
moval. For some time past Capt. Symons
has been receiving replies to a circular
letter addressed by him to the MAYORS and
city clerks of the principal cities in the United
States inquiring whether carriage blocks were
permitted in the streets These replies were
embodied in letter to Major Raymond, which
was submitted to Attorney Riddle for his
opinion.
CAPT. sYMoNs IN THIS LETTER
says: SIN furtherance of my recommendation
OF April Is, that the use of carriage blocks or
steps in the streets of Washington should be
discontinued, and that all those in place should
be removed. 1 have further to state that my
recommendation was meant to include only
paved streets"
He then calls attention to the law of the old
legislative assembly, passed January II, 1885,
Webbs Digest page 218:
THE only semblance of authority for these
carriage blocks that can find is contained in
SAYS:
''Carriage-steps, when authorized, shall not
exceed in dimensions 81 feet by 20 inches, nor
inches in height, and in no case shall extend
beyond the inner line of the curb These di-
mansions are violated in many instances.
This authorization of carriage blocks or steps
seems to be in direct violation of the law of the
old legislative assembly, above-referred to,
which is still in force.
VIEWS OF LIvERY-sTABLE KEEPERS
SIN order to determine the question of the
propriety and expediency of allowing these
carriage steps to remain had a number of the
leading ivery-stable keepers interviewed on
the subject, with the following result:
Allison Nailor. 1884 E street.-The car
rage blocks should be removed on the same
principle that the iron railing are being
removed from around the parks. There is no
more use for them. Carriages are now swung
SO low that the step is only a few inches
above the curbstone. They are more of an OBJ
struction and Disagreement than anything
else. think that Capt. Symons is right, and L
have decided to move my own carriage-step be-
cause 1t Is of no service to me-"
J. H. Clark, 1724 G street: 1.-THE carriage
stones are a nuisance. They are no use what
ever. l have removed mine. They cost me
about 5000 year by damaging my carriage
doors. No citizen who owns a carriage wants
carriage blocks"
w. +. Downey, 1920 street-"Carriages are
swung very much lower than they were when
carrlage-stones were generally used Now these
stones i'll many cases are higher than the car
riage step, and a person mounting the stone
often has to step down instead of up to
get on the step of the carriage. They very
dangerous in sleety or snowy weather, and
the danger of tumbling off them is
greater than the sidewalk, and for
that reason ladies and gentlemen often
avoid them. We give our drivers instructions
TO get out of their way, because they are prac-
tically no use and We have had some valuable
carriages mutilated by them. One car
riage that cost $1,000 had the side
torn out of it by the step coming in contact
with carriage stone. He demonstrated with
a number of carriages that, after allowing
inches for the curb, the distance to raise the
foot to reach the carriage step was less than the
second step necessary to enter the carriage"
F. VI. Draney, 645 New York avenue-'I
think that Captain Symons' recommendation is
a good one. The time has passed when car
riage-steps are necessary or even useful, as a
rule"
where people are old or rheumatic they are
useful. Generally they are not used
''Sinsheimer & Frank, 623 G street-For
aged people it is some times hard to get along
without them. Most people do not use them.
l would like TO see them removed"
Wood Bros, 1920 N street-We think the
proposition of Capt. Symons to remove car
riage blocks is a good scheme, and meets with
our approval"
Henry g. Rockwell, 400 9th street-'I
think they are more of an obstruction than q
benefit and cause more accidents than they
prevent"
CUSTOM IN OTHER CITIES.
I'm order to determine what is the custom in
other American cities in regard to these car
riage blocks l addressed letters to the mayors
OF a number of the leading citizens of the
United States.
The letter was as follows:
''Will you have the kindness to inform me
whether carriage blocks permitted i'll the
paved streets, OF -, and if SO under what re-
strictions and regulations?
Under present conditions do you regard
carriage blocks in well paved streets as su.fici-
emily beneficial to warrant their continuance"
Il have received supplies from a number of
cities, as follows:
HE then gives the replies of the mayors of
New Haven, Boston, Cincinnati, Baltimore,
Springfield. Mass, Milwaukee, Minneapolis,
Cleveland, Ohio, Hartford, Conn. which are in
effect that no carriage blocks are allowed on
the paved streets in those cities. In nearly all
of them carriage blocks are not allowed on any
streets. Providence, r.. l., has carriage blocks,
but on account of accidents are trying to have
them removed.
CAPT. sYMoNs REVIEWS HIS RECOMMENDATION.
Captain Symons' letter closes as follows:
"These are all the answers so far received
to the circular letter sent out. The
tendency gathered from them seems to be- I'M
doubtedly toward the complete and ultimate
adjustment of carriage blocks; and have the
honor to again renew my recommendation that
they be ordered to be removed in accordance
with my previous recommendation on this SUBJ
ject."
ATTORNEY RIDDLES OPINION.
Attorney Riddle to-day rendered an opinion
on the case in which he said: Clearly the car
riage block is an obstruction on the foot way
on sidewalk where placed. 1t seems also,
to be forbidden by sections 222 DOG, and 229 of
the Revised Statutes of the District of Column
bia. If desirable to have a specific regulation
upon the subject, authority may be found for
it in section II. An injury to person or prop
erty caused by one of these distractions might
subject the District to a suit
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
PATENTS have been issued to citizens of the