Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-06

ish them west of AZ street and Mr. Heard's
plan would permit the people to pass under the
tracks at two points, emitting entirely any pro-
vision for the important crossing at 18th street,
where ncarly 5000 people and considerably
over 1000 vehicles are in the daylight hours
of single day subjected to the obstruction of
ll6 coverings OF the gates and to the dangers
from an equal number of passing trains or en-
gines.
AMENDMENTS PENDING.
Mr.. Atkinson proposes an amendment to
the second section which limits the Com
missioners' powers Of authorizing additional
side tracks to the space east of All street. But
no similar amendment is proposed to the first
and third sections. Tho road may still con-
denim and run tracks to its acquired property
west OF A. street and the existing tracks lille
gally occupying open spaces of the United
States west of that street are confirmed.
Amendments will be offered to correct this
Another amendment by Mr.. Atkinson pro-
vides that nothing herein contained shall be
construed as making grant or confirmation to
the said company OF any land now the property
Of the United States. This amendment is pro-
posed to meet the objection which has been
urged against the first section of the bill that
1t grants or confirms to the railroad the use Of
slx small reservations, the property Of the
United States, which the side tracks now lille
gally traverse and occupy.
Other amendments that have been offered
are one by Mr.. Moore referring the whole
question to commission. one by Mr.. Lind
making 1t the duty of the road in consideration
OF the privileges conferred TO carry persons
free OF charge between points in the District
and one by Mr.. Baker recOmmitting the bill,
with instructions to provide for the removal of
the passenger station and for depressing all
tracks where practicable, or for overhead
passageways.
PUBLIC OPINION.
The public condemnation Of the Atkinson
bill as 1t now stands, surrcndering to the rail-
road the rights Of the people to their property
and to life and limb. has been expressed with
emphasis by tho thousands of petitions that
have come from people residing in all parts of
the city and OF all conditions of life. who have
taken advantage OF the opportunity afforded
them by The STAR to make heard their voices
In protest against the bill.
THE BILL AS IT STANDS IN THE SENATE
The Senate committee on the District only
made two amendments to the original Atkin-
son bill before reporting it. One confines the
ground in which the Commissioners are au-
thorlZed to grant permission for side tracks to
east OF 9th street md west of 18th street south
west. Another confines the ground within
which the road is authorized to acquire prop
erty to south OF the line Of the road, north of
l. street. east Of Delaware avenue. north OF the
Eastern branch, south of IL street, southeast
and east of 18th street southeast; also anv
squares on Maryland or Virginia avenue east
OF 9th street and west OF 12th street southwest
RAlLRoADRD STREETS AND AVENUES
The grievances due to the railroad occupa-
ton OF streets that the people of Washington
have borne are heavy. The opposition to the
Atkinson bill as it stands is due not to any
effort or desire to deprive the railroad compa-
MES entering the District of facilities for trans
acting their growing business In fact, the
measures proposed by those who oppose this
bill mako liberal provision for tracks, freight
yards and depot sites. The opposition comes
from the belief that unless at this tme when
the railroad asks Congress for Legislation in the
interest OF the railroad only. some provision is
made for the protection of life at grade
crossings, for relieving travel through the
streets OF the distractions it now suffers
and for preserving the beauty Of the city, the
evils complained of will never be remeded
Some OF the finest streets and avenues of the
city are now practically completely occupied
by the tracks, Their beauty is ruined and they
are rendered useless for long distances az thor
oughfares. typical case is shown in the view
OF Maryland avenue fronting the Capitol rep
resented in the accompanying cut The rail-
road has taken possession of the street for
many squares. and the vista presented from a
point about 9th street might easily give a
stranger the impression that it is only uues-
ton OF time when the satirical proposition that
the Capitol building be given up to the rail-
roads AZ passenger station may be made in
serious earnest