Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-03
CHARGED WITH BRUTALITY.
Why His Old Comrades Protest Against
the Reinstatement Of an Army Officer.

CHARGED WITH BRUTALITY.
Why His Old Comrades Protest Against
the Reinstatement Of sn Army Onicer.
Commander McCalla is not the first officer
! in the service Of the United States who stands
charged with excessive cruelty 10 his subordi-
mates. Ordinarily complaints of brutal treat
ment are made directly by the
| sufferers, but in this the brother
! officers Of Capt Edward Byrne themselves
make complaint The facts have been commu-
nicated to the Senate committee on military
affairs having been forwarded TO that sub-legis-
lative division BY the Secretary of War
at the instance of Gen. (then COLI
b. II. Grierson. The story would probably
have been forgotten had it not been that
Capt Byrne brought it to the surface when he
demanded of this Congress that he be re-
instated in the army. In 1871 the strength Of
the army was reduced and as part Of the re-
ductlon Capt Byrne was discharged with one
year pay. Now he wants to be reinstated as
captain. although the law under which he was
discharged provides that such as he could
re-enter the service as second lieutenants
only. The officers of the tenth cavalry, to which
Byrne belonged have joined in an appeal to
Congress TO keep Byrne ont. and il is believed
that an adverse report will be made in a few
DAYS.
The protest says: Edward Byrne was en-
tirely unfit TO command a troop, especially of
this regiment He was notorionsly yindictiye
and brutal to his men; he caused men to be
tied up by their thumbs until their sufferings
were terrible. He shot a prisoner when the
prisoner was lying on the ground under
charge OF the guard, tiedi q man OF troop T.,
tenth cavalry. report will be found on file
IN the Adjutant Generals Office. signed by his
colonel, setting forth the fact of the mans
hatred Of colored troops; said report dated
about October. 1890. He was insubordinate to
his superior officers.
This bill places him over officers who have
served faithfully and continuously. We do not
believe that the man Byrne should be restored
TO the service, and respectfully request that his
record may be spread before the committee
before it makes its report"
Gen. Grierson clinched the matter a few days
later by stating to the committee. over his auto
graph. his opinion of Byrne, whom he charac-
terized az insubordinate to his superiors and
brutal to the men.
The matter is still undecided
To Settle the Railroad Problem.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
Bring all northern railroads together at a
point near Boundary at f and 18th streets
northeast and all southern roads at Analostan
Island Build subway railroad through street
Of width sufficient for eight tracks with open
cut from 18th street to I'd street northeast
covered way thence to 18th street northwest
and open cut to Potomac; the retaining walls
of the open cuts to be so constructed at all
street crossings as to serve as abutments 10
street bridges; to be built as needed by local
requirements, omit retaining walls OF open cuts
between cross streets at such points as the rail-
roads may acquire lands on either side of Z
street for freight yards, and if they obtain con-
tiguous squares lengthen cross bridges 30 as 10
permit sufficient tracks the length of their
property. Have United States governments ac-
qulre square 406 Sth, 9th, and +; close sth
street from to T.; extend government post
Office building to 9Th street, government TO
grant the free use of basement of this enlarged
building to all the different railroad companies
for passenger and baggage accommodation; all
horse and cable cars pass here, or have free
transfer with lines that do, making il the spot
of all others for union railroad station. Devote
first story to city post Office. Have the postal
cars placed at elevators. so that they NAV be
loaded and unloadei direct from Office and save
expense and danger of sending mails by wagon
or messenger, aud by pneumatic tubes laid in
subway all mails to and from departments and
White House and branch Offices could
be safely and speedily sent. 1t will be noticed
that the contour OF the land is such that what is
basement level on street would be surface
level on street, or can be made so by a slight
depression OF grade of L street, and that blocks
on south side of street from 9Th to l4th
streets-Nos. 377. 347. 32l and 290-are all well
adapted to be utilized for freight and express
business. Besides connecting all roads with
post office. connection could be made with
Treasury, SO that express companies could re-
ceive and deliver specie within the building.
DIRECT CONNECTION.
Direct connection could also be made with the
White House. State. War and Navy Depart
ments, and if the enlarged post Office building
will not accommodate abe Postmaster General.
as well as the city post Office, the necessary
building could be placed south of Treasury and
one for Interior Department south of State
Department and both connect with subway, and
thus each could have direct and unobseryed
communication with all parts of the country.
In case Of war mot very probable. but possibleb
these connections might be invaluable. Permit
no locomotives west of 18th street northeast or
east of Anaostan Island, all cars on the bridge
or within city limits to be moved by electric
motors or cable. As there will be no smoke or
| steam the arcade need not be very high and
openings for light and ventilation could be
provided on L street without interfering with
travel, as is done on 4th avenue, New York.
There would be less than two miles of covered
way and little or no land damages, for the
estates on i and streets would be greatly
improved for all business purposes. 1t would
be necessary to raise the grade of L street
from point just west of LIST street northwest to
or east of I'd street northeast. but not enough
TO affect very materially abutting property. A
slight elevation of grade might be necessary at
18th street where the subway curves around
the Treasury and through the White House
grounds and south of State Department
Bridge from street to Analostan Island would
be about 800 feet long. II need only be eIe-
waited enough to clear the highest known food
and steam tugs and barges. Build it without
draw. Provide tugs and barges to carry freight
arriving in vessels with masts for wharyes
above the bridge free of charge to consignee.
Share the cost of building the road and bridge
and maintaining the tugs and barges United
States and District governments paving one
half and the railroad companies paying the other
half something az was done III 4th avenue. New
York. by city government and Harlem Railroad
Company. W.
What "A Boy Should Know at Eighteen.
President Dwight ia the Forum.