Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-08
RAILROADS AND STREETS.
Maj. Raymond Thinks Grade Crossings
Should be Abolished.

Some time ago TIE STAR referred 70 the let
Ter OF Messrs. Morris 4 Hamilton, attorneys
Tor the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company.
In which they called attention 70 the present
method Of grading the streets in lexington
and other subdivisions in the District outside
OF the city limits the streets Of which cross the
tracks OF the Metropolitan branch Of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad The attorneys
called attention to the fact that
these streets were so graded rs to
cross the tracks at grade, method which they
said subjected the public to all the dangers and
Inconvenience OF grade crossings and the COM
pany to liability and to the necessity and ex-
pense Of maintaining gates and guards The
matter was referred to Capt Rosseil. who made
follows:
The within request of the counsel Of the
baltimore and OHIO railroad company with
reference TO crossings of streets by their rail-
road in the District OF Columbia is forwarded
Tor the consideration Of the Commissioners
The enclosed report Of Mr.. Bailey. computing
engineer, proposes TO regard the railroad in
the same light as Q stream, building roads
parallel TO 1t on each side with occasional
crossings, say from six to ten blocks apart.
This will reduce the number OF dangerous
crossings or Crossings of any kind and until the
suburban parts of the District are more thickly
settled than they are now would probably
furnish all the relief necessary. 1t,
the crossings that must be made and
IN nearly every case the situation of the ground
points to grade crossing. Any change that is
made from a grade crossing will add TO the ex-
pense OF subdividng and grading the lots for
building purposes or else will require a change
IN the grade Of the railroad at a large expense
TO them. These matters should be attended 10
before the time when danger and damage may
occur at grade crossings. 1t seems to me that
II would be proper to consult with the railroad
companies entering the District OF Columbia,
and from mutual discussion with them the Dis
trlct Commissioners might propose some law
which, being passed by Congress, would settle
the whole matter. do not think it is the de-
sire OF the railroad company TO force this mat
ter to immediate issue, but is intended TO open
up the whole subject.
I'm regard to the subdivision known as Eek
ington 1t would be impossible for the owners to
RAISE the grades OF their streets to make over
head crossings without mourning such expense
as would amount to confiscation of considerable
property. The present grades are those that
have been allowed to be used and l do not
think an arbitrary change at the present time
would be right. l therefore merely forward
tins paper for the consideration Of the Com
missioners"
Major Raymond today took the matter up
and endorsed the following memorandum upon
the papers which he submitted to the board for
their action:
The public interests demand that the tracks
OF the Baltimore and Ohio railway should be
relocated as soon as possible. When this is
zone grade crossings should be abolished 40
far as practicable and at the expense of the
company. The proposition of Messrs. Morris
Hamilton that the grades of public streets
shall be fixed at the expense of the pubic TO
suit the convenience Of the railway company
does not strike me favorably"