Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-11
THE TRACKS MUST GO.
The b. & r. Distractions on III and
18th Streets.
THE COMMISSIONERS ORDER THEIR REMoyAI-A
PERMIT REVOKED ANOTHER LErTER FROM
MEssRs. PARKER AND pwYER-MAyoR RAY
MoND's RECOMMENDATIONS

MEssRs. PARKER AND DwYER-atAyoR RAY
MoND's RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commissioners this morning spent some
time considering the alleged unlawful occu-
pancy and closing of streets in South Washing
ton by the tracks and fences of the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad company. Major Ray
mond called the boards attention to the case.
and asked that immediate action be taken in
relation to the Il and 18th street tracks. The
Commissioners, after some sharp arguments.
concluded that the tracks must go, and accord
ngly issued an order directing the railroad
company to remove the tracks at the above
named places Immediately. The following is
THE OFFICIAL ORDER.
Ordered, THAT the orders of the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia. dated June
2, 1888. and April 10, 1884, granting permission
to the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad COM
pany to lay single track switch to connect
their road by way of 18th street southwest with
squares Nos. 300 and go, are hereby revoked
and said company be notified to remove said
tracks within sixty days from date. and restore
the streets to their original condition az pro-
10, 1884"
IN RELATION TO THE 18th STREET TRACK
the following letter was sent TO Mr.. E. Kurtz
Johnson, August 10. 1887: referring to the
permit under date of June 2, 1888, to the Balti-
more and Potomac railroad company to Law a
single track switch to connect their main line
on Maryland avenue by the way of 18th street
southwest with square 800. the Commissioners
direct me to notify you that the occupation of any
pubic street space is illegal in the absence of
congressional authority, and that unless the con-
sent of Congress be obtained at its next session
by the parties interested to the continuance of
said permit it will be the duty of the Commits
sioners to revoke said permit Immediately upon
the adjournment of that BODY
A PERMIT REVOKED.
Congress having failed to provide for the &C.
cupancy of this street, the Commissioners to-
day deemed it their duty to revoke the permit
Another Letter From Parker and
Dwyer.
The Commissioners to-day received the fol-
lowing communication from Messrs Charles II
Parker and Philip n. Dwyer: in this age it
seems absurd for the officials of the capital
city of the nation to refuse answer to busi-
ness letters from taxpayers calling attention
to gross and open violation of the laws
such Is the fact. Is it possible that the District
authorities decline to enforce the laws through
fear of wounding the tender feelings of the
Baltimore and Potomac railroad company or
are they DESTROYS Of benefiting the company
by unnecessary delay? Can We think other
wiser Every movement of the District officials
indicate a great respect for the legal rights of
the company, and III addition show that the
Commissioners put themselves to consid-
cradle trouble to find absurd reasons that
they may use as excuse for suggesting-in fact
recommending a certain way whereby the COM
pany may secure unlawful privileges, and at
the same time openly violate the laws and to
the dlScredlt of the District government. Why
is it that the Commissioners want the assistant
district attorney. Mr.. Davis, to give an opinion
on the railroad matter?
IT is VERY STRANGE.
Have they not the official opinion of A. G. Rid
die, District attorney? an opinion which the
Commissioners deemed at one time good
enough to send to Congress as their idea of the
law, interpreted by the legal official of the Dis
trict. Have they not copy of the
United States Statutes and the police reg
ulations, which plainly state how the
railroad company is to be governed? Have they
not the opinion of the engineer commissioner
and the most important. the decision of the
U. S. Supreme Court. the highest authority in
the country? Think for one moment Of the con-
dltlon of the matter, with all these proofs, and
yet they ask the assistant attorney to give his
opinion. Is he also to find grounds whereby
he may say, "While l think the occupation of
certain streets by the railroad company is il
legal. would recommend that the company
be allowed to continue to do wrong in order to
FAVE II expense anu Trouble. NUlle IL Is EVIL
dent from the actions Of the District that the
company Is violating the laws, it seems that the
whole ambition of certain officials is to endeayor
to assist the railroad company in breaking the
laws which they (the oflicials) have sworn to
obey and carry out.
1t is the opinion of all honest men that any
official who designs to officially say 'let the
company violate the law in fact. recommend
that the company be assisted in doing SO, is
GUILTY OF MALFEAsANCE IN OFFICE
and should be treated as any other criminal
Gentlemen, the proper officials to pass upon
the railroad subject is the engineer Commits
sioner, Major Raymond and District Attorney
Riddle. The former recommends that the
Commissioners protect the honor of the District
government by enforcing its orders, and the
latter states that certain tracks are illegal Why
then ask Capt. SymOns. Major Raymond's as
sistant, and Mr.. Davis. who is also an assistant
Don't the opinions of Messrs. Raymond and
Riddle please you, or are the opinions distaste-
full to the company? We would suggest that in
case the opinions of the two assistants are
not pleasing to the railroad company that you
secure new otficials-oficials who have no idea
as to right and wrong-Ofticials who could be
charmed by the music of a locomotive whistle
In some cities of less Importance such action
by sworn officials would result in their impeach-
ment. As usual we
DEMAND REPLIES TO OUR LETTERS.
IL VIC are "iOHS why HOJ 80 ike men OF
nerve and back your replies with proper laws.
Until the authorities reply to our letters and
act justly by the taxpayers we will continue to
gently remind you of the fact that YOU permit
unlawful acts in this city of Washington
We will this day notify the President that the
Commissioners attention has been called to
the fact that gross violations of the laws are
knowingly permitted; that we cannot secure a
business-like answer to our letters; that the
Commissioners have acknowledged the viola
tons and now recommend that the said viola
tions continue"
Major KaymOnd's Recommendations.
Major Raymond has considered complaints
recently made by Messrs Parker and Dryer,
and submits the following recommendations for
the consideration of the board:
That the railroad company be directed to re
move its fences from the line of the roadway
OF Z street, to erect safety gates. and to put
the tracks III proper condition for crossing
That no action be taken with respect to the
side track entering the freight depot.
That this paper be referred to the attorney
FOR the District for his opinion as to whether
the railroad company i'll square 433 occupies a
public alley.
IN ANSWER TO COL. ENoCH TOTEM.
the attorney for the railroad. who wrote to the
Commissioners some time ago for a suspension
of their order relative to street, the
Commissioners have replied as follows:
Relative to your request of the sd ultimo
that the operation of the Commissioners no.
t'ce OF the 10th ultimo to the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad company. directing that the
railroad tracks of said company on