Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-07
THEY WILL GO TO COURT.
The Northeast Association Declare .
Legal War Against the Railroad.

At . Meeting Of the Northeast Washington
Citizens association held at the Peabody school
building last evening, Josiah Willard presid-
ing. the report Of the special committee to con-
fer with an attorney to the enforcement Of law
against the railroads was made by Messrs Cur
riden and 8. G. Clarke. The frst-named said
they had conferred with Mr.. James Coleman
and arranged a. to retainer and compensation.
Mr.. Clarke said he had purposely avoided COM
hitting the association but had q pleasant in
terview with Mr.. Coleman in which they went
over the points to be raised in Q contest, the
unlawful speed of trains, the connecting "Y,"
occupation Of streets, fencing in Of d and list
streets and Delaware avenue in three places,
the occupation OF street below grade, DC.
There was no question, Mr.. Clarke said, a. to
the right Of way Of the road until 1870 but
there was question as to the occupancy of
streets.
Mr.. W. H. Barton stated that an officer of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad company said 1t
would be difficult matter to change the grade
to conform to the streets, and they would be
willing to compromise. They had bought
ground in the northeast and in order to utilize
their ground they would conform as near as
possible to the statute. The road, he said,
would be greatly embarrassed If forced to abol-
ish side tracks and switches. They would, Mr..
Barton said, however, demand that the rights
be made to comply with the law.
DISCUSSING THE CHANCES
Mr.. Girourd said the committee should have
ascertained more than they had reported They
should have found what the prospects were.
Mr.. Curriden remarked that Mr.. Coleman
had said that they had good fighting chance.
MIR. Hawkins Taylor suggested that they first
count the cost The railroad company would
not scare a bit, and a suit would last longer
NrnnlA ho
rest OF the city care for railroads in the north
east and southeast and southwest when their
property was improved. Railroad lawyers, he
said, silenced the Commissioners, and the truth
is the northwest is the governing power. So
long es they set quiet the present state of things
would continue.
Mr.. Curriden said that the committee ex-
pected the aid of the Pennsylvania railroad in
fighting the Baltimore and Ohio.
MIR. Taylor asserted that they were together
ana would continue to work together.
THE COMMISSIONERS.
MIR. Dodge asked how they were going into
court without the suit being brought in the
name of the Commissioners. He would not
ask for an attorney until it was determined
whether they could go into court.
Mr.. S. H. Walker cited the 9th street railroad
injunction case and said that the citizens ag-
grieved had the right to bring suit
MIR. Taylor suggested that they select an at
ttorney and then get his opinion on the pre-
iminary question.
Mr.. Curriden said that the first question was
whether suit should be begun. II they went
to the Commissioners he was sure that they
would lend their names if necessary.
The report was adopted
Mr.. Girourd offered resolution, which was
adopted, directing the treasurer to place 5000
in the hands of the committee as a retainer of
Mr.. Coleman.
committee to carry out the project was ap-
pointed as follows: Messrs. s. c. Clarke, W. q.
Dodge, W. H. Barton, Josiah Willard and 8. W.
Curridep.