Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-15
STEAM RAILROAD QUESTION.
Plan Submitted by the Fast Washing.
ton Association.

AT the hearing on the steam railroad question
on Thursday last before the subcommittee OF
the Senate committee on the District. Senators
Farwell and Faulkner asked that a bill embody-
ing the recommendation OF DIR. E. NJ. Gallau-
Diet and a statement OF facts in its behalf be
prepared and submitted 70 them. The adop-
ton OF the plan was strongly urged by Mr. l.
Chapel and Others representing the East
Washington association as meeting the wishes
of great majority of the people Of the north
eastern section of the CITY. The plan is 20 va
cate the tracks of the main stem of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad south of a point near
IVY CITY, and 20 build a new lateral line there
from westwardly connecting with the tracks Of
the Metropolitan branch. A route for this con-
nection was surveyed by the railroad company
several years ago. Agreeably TO the request OF
the Senate committee the committee Of the
last Washington association has prepared and
submitted a bill embodying the plan as well as
short statement of reasons for its acceptance
by the railroad company aud for immediate
action thereon by Congress.
The bill provides: That the Baltimore aud
ONO Railroad company is hereby authorized
and required within two years from the date Of
the passage of this bill TO construct a line Of
tracks from the main stem of said company
beginning at some point north of Ivy CITY sta
ton and running westerly, and TO connect the
same with the present tracks of the Metropoli-
tan Branch road Of said company at a point
north Of the proposed station on the tract
known as lexington. and from the time of the
completion Of said tracks and their connection
with the tracks of the said Metropolitan Branch
all OF SAID companys cars and engines shall
pass thereon TO and from the depot on New
Jersey avenue. and within three months from
the completion of said connection said COM
pany shall remove all tracks of the main stem
from the point of junction herein authorized
TO their present junction with the tracks of the
Metropolitan Branch on LIST street east and no
tracks of said company shall thereafter be
permitted 20 remain east of said LIST street
within the limits of the city, unless for tempo
rary warehouse purposes, in the discretion Of
the Commissioners of the District of Columbia
The object of this bill is to secure one approach
and departure for all the companys cars over
the tracks OF the said Metropolitan Branch from
said point OF junction, and TO remove from the
eastern portion of the city of Washington the
tracks of the main stem of said company. for
which said purpose said company is hereby
authorized TO secure the necessary right OF
way by condemnation as now provided for in
the acts Of Congress under which said COM
pany was permitted TO enter the District of
Columbia and the city of Washington"
The reasons submitted in behalf Of the bill
are az follows:
/. 1t viii remove from the eastern portion Of
the city OF Washington those tracks which have
interfered most with it's development and i'm
provement As long as this part of the main
stem Is used ii will be impossible 10 properly
improve or develop any of the streets near it,
inasmuch as the conformity of the ground il
such that the tracks will either be SO far above
or 50 far below the established grades Of the
streets as to make this absolutely impracti-
cable resulting in constant irritation and agi-
tation.
2. The plan is partial solution OF the rail-
road problem 50 far Northeast Washington
Is concerned. IL is admitted that the railroad
has rights which even the courts and Congress
are bound to respect, and the bill is offered
by those who. while suffering from the injuries
resulting from the railroads illegal occupation
and obstruction OF streets, recognize the fact
that railroads are a necessity, and. as reason
able and reasoning men, they appeal not only
TO Congress but to the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road company itself. The tracks proposed TO
be removed are shown 10 be unnecessary after
the proposed connection is made. The plan
q. Can be adopted at once and carried into
effect at a very small cost.
b. Will enable the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road company TO sell the land occupied by its
main stem line within the limits of the city as
they are vacated. from which enough can be
secured to pay several times the cost OF the
proposed connection.
c. viii remove the most dangerous crossings
in the city, and result in great saving Of life
and limb as well as OF expense TO the company.
d. Will remove that murderous trap known
as the ", where so many have been killed
and injured.
e. Will in no way interfere with any future
disposition of its tracks as may be determined
upon by Congress.