Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-10
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
4 Report on the Atkinson Bill In the
Senate.


4 HrsroRY OF THE B. AND p. IN THIS cIrY-rHE
ARGUMENT MADE THAT TIE BILL Is REQUIRED
TO SECURE NEEDED RAILROAD FAcnrrrrs-rHE
OCCUPATION OF RESERVATIONS BY TRACKS
Mr.. Mcmillan today from the Senate commit
tee on the District Of Columbia submitted his
report on the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
bill best known a. the Atkinson bill. The re-
port says: The object of the bill ID first to
legalize and confirm the construction, main
tenance and use for railway purposes OF certain
sidings already constructed by the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad and by private
parties under authority granted to them and
to that company by the Commissioners, and,
secondly, to authorize the Commissioners
whenever they shall consider it to be o public
benefit to grant to the railroad permission to
lay, maintain and use for its own purposes or
for private manufacturing, commercial or
other business purposes side tracks and sidings
from main lines of that company into any real
estate in certain specified squares absolutely on
tho streets occupied by or in easy distance Of
such lines.
The bill does not affect in any way the aues-
ton OF the present passenger station. nor does
1t relate to the occupation OF the mall.
HISTORY OF THE ROAD.
The report then refers to the many hearings
held on the subject by the committee and the n
proceeds to an elaborate history Of the Balti-
more and Potomac road in Washington. The
roadwas authorized to enter tho city on March Is,
1863. BY act of March g. 1871. the company was
authorized to build a passenger station Mt Nir-
ginia avenue. between 9th and 7th streets, and
on May II. 1872. the present passenger site was
authorized. For the purposes OF freight facili-
ties the company obtained from the District
Commissioners at different times authority to
lay side tracks into their own yards and also
into private grounds. list Of such sidiugs
here follows.
WHY THE BILL rs REQUIRED.
The report then takes up the decision OF the
Supreme Court that the sanction of Congress
was necessary for such sidings and refers to the
indictments which have been made. This bill
legalizes such sidings and makes provisions for
future needs.
After careful consideration Of the whole
subject, the report says, 'your committee is
strongly of the opinion that the service which
the company owes to the public requires that
the sidings be legalized"
In reaching such conclusion the COM
mlttee took into consideration first,
the character of the portion of the city
in which the sidings exist In this regard
the report quotes from letter from
the commissioners dated November Is, 1897
in which they refer to South Washington as
unhealthy and by its nature fitted for indus
trial purposes.
ia ''' FREIGHT FACILITIES WANTED.
The report continues that the committee
next examined into the existing facilities for
handling freight and found them grossly in
adequate. 1t appears that , here are in WASH
ington but two private coal yards and
two private lumber yards having proper
facilities in them. As consequence
fhn hill NJ xha hpos e
tracks set apart tor bulk freight. On an aver
age cars wait four days before being unloaded.
and this time is frequently extended At one
time there were forty cars of
lumber for Washington waiting de-
livery. 1t is in view of these facts
which private parties may obtain facilities I or
bringing cars into yards 50 as to do away with
the present abuse OF unloading cars In the
streets
The report then continues with history Of
tho freight business done by the Baltimore and
Potomac road in this city, and refers to the
fact that from October IA to November 20, 1889.
there were l.265 cars consigned to Washington
held back at various points. The daily require
ments of the road. says the report. are for 600
cars. while there are facilities for handling
only 30S cars.
CONFINED TO CERTAIN LIMITS.
The yards and sidings, however. should be
SoHhuSu w SSk toiu UOtu cast duu west,
says the report, SO that the space within which
the heavy business of the city shall be trans
acted may be located as to interfere as little
possible with the traffic from the rIYer front
to the other portions Of the city. The commit
tee therefore recommend that the sidings be
confined to the section east of 9th street and
west of 18th street southwest aud to a certain
small territory north of the Eastern Branch.
This restriction on the west gives free acce IS
to Long Bridge by way of l4th erect Twelfth
and 18th streets are mentioned as the two great
avenues to South Washington and the river
front.
Should Congress in the future decide TO re-
quire the Baltimore and Potomac to relinauisE
9th street that thoroughfare will also be added
TO the streets, giving easy access between the
sections.
CROSSING RESERVATIONS.
In an appendix to the report the committee
take up the reservation question and, after
giving list Of the reservations occupied by
the road, come to the conclusion that in gen.
eral where the Baltimore and Potomac crosses
reservations with its main line it does so I'M
avoidably and by virtue of acts of Congress
laying out the route of the road.