Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-20
THE RAILROAD PROBLEM.
Morrill, Offers q Bill to Define
Routes.

THE RAILROAD PROBLEM.
Senator Morrill, O,ers a Bill to Define
Routes.
THE TWO ROADS TO BIZ BROUGHT TOGETHER Ar
THE INTERSECTION OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA
AvENUEs-rHE BALTIMORE AND OHIO TO rUN-
MEL CAPITOL HIIL-No GRADE CROSSINGS.
Yesterday afternoon in the Senate Senator
morrill, took his turn at railroad legislation for
the District The bill introduced by him is to
define the routes of the steam railroads in the
District Of Columbia and for other purposes.
The first clause is practically the same as in
the bill introduced by Senator Ingalls, a few
days ago, differing only in giving the roads
until January l, 1894 to make the changes pre-
scribed.
THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO TRACKS
The second clause goes on to say: "That
from and after the date aforesaid the tracks Of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad shall enter the
city from the north at the northern line Of
Boundary street at or near its intersection with
Sd street east and proceed thence as follows:
Southwardiy along and over Sd street east, with
a double track, by means of open cut. to such
point as shall be determined by the Engineer
Commissioner of the District of Columbia, sub
ject to the approval Of the Commissioners;
thence by means of tunnel to or near the north
east corner of reservation numbered II; thence
westwardly through said reservation on as
direct curved line as is practicable,
subject to the approval Of the Commits
s1oners, to the nearest convenient point on the
north to the tracks Of the Baltimore and Potomac
railroad on Canal street and Virginia avenue;
thence alongside and northward of the tracks
OF the Baltimore and Potomac railroad COM
waatwardtv IN Yoa "a
constructed south Of the intersection of Virginia
and Maryland avenues, and thence through and
from said station westwardly along and over
Maryland avenue alongside the tracks of the
Baltimore and Potomac railroad to the Long
bridge over the Potomac river at the foot Of
14th street west. The entire new line of rail-
way which the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
company Is authorized and required to con-
struct under this section shall be taken and con-
sidered to be new and wholly separate line
OF railway belonging to the company, and said
company shall have power to mortgage the new
line of railway and all buildings, structures and
yards used in connection Herewith, to secure
any moneys loaned to the company or bonds or
evidence of debs issued for the purpose of
aiding in the construction OF said separate line
Of railway and works.
THE B. AND p. TRACKS.
Section three takes up the Baltimore and Po-
tomac road and provides that after the before
mentioned date the tracks of the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad company shall enter the city
from the north and east along the northern
shore of the Eastern branch of the
Potomac river, at point between l.
and NJ streets south, and shall proceed thence
westwardly, with double track, on and under
X street south, Canal street and Virginia
avenue, alongside and parallel with the route
heretofore prescribed for the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad from the point of approximation
OF the two routes to the passenger station
south OF the intersection of Virginia and Mary
land avenues, and thence from said station
westwardly along and over Maryland avenue to
Long bridge.
THE B. AND o. BRANCHES.
Section four prescribes that the present
tracks Of the Washington and Metropolitan
branches Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
lying within the District and outside Of the
limits of the city, shall, under the
supervision of the Commissioners, subject to
appeal to the Secretary of War, be changed and
relocated as may be found necessary and con-
venient to unite the same outside OF the city
limits; also that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
may construct and maintain as near such point
as may be convenient but beohnd the city limits,
the necessary yards and other equipments
for the transaction of its freight business, and
also may construct and maintain passenger
station for local business as near as may be
convenient to the point on Sd street east at
which the tunnel shall begin.
SOUTHERN CONNECTION.
The Baltimore and Ohio shall have the right
to cross the Potomac river and over the long
bridge upon the tracks of the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad to the southern or Virginia
shore and it is authorized to the said
tracks in common with the said Baltimore and
Potomac railroad company.
The Baltimore and Potomac railroad COM
pany may also. under the supervision afore-
said, locate, construct and maintain at such
point or points within the city and to the south
ward of its tracks and of the station south of
the intersection Of Virginia and Maryland ave-
nues southwest such yards and other equip
ments as may be necessary for the transaction
Of its freight business.
FENCES, BRIDGES AND DEPRESSED TRACKS,
The bill goes on to say the entire route of
each Of the railroads within the city shall be
Enclosed by an iron fence or railing upon a
stone parapet and of such construction as shall
be approved by the Commissioners, with an
opening therein at each street cross
ing or intersection protected by
guard gates or other devices ana by Waterman
to be employed by the companies, and also at
such points as may be prescribed suitable
bridges shall be constructed at the joint cost
of said companies on the line of the
street crossing or intersecting the route; that
after passing South Capitol street in their
course westward as aforesaid, to the station
or stations, the tracks OF both the
Baltimore and Ohio and the Balti-
more and Potomac railroad shall be depressed
below the adjacent surface grades, under the
supervision of the Commissioners, and all
the tracks provided for shall throughout their
entire course through the city be laid upon
such grades as shall be determined by
the Commissioners, subject as before to
approval The construction of the tun-
mel for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
and all other details of construction
of tracks, yards or equipments provided for
shall likewise be under the super
vision of the Commissioners; provided. how
ever, that the width of the roadway
to be occupied by the tracks on or in any
street, avenue or public space in said city, shall
not exceed fifty feet.
UNION STATION.
Section six provides that the Baltimore and
Ohio and Baltimore and Potomac companies
shall abandon and remove their respective
stations and depots now located at New Jersey
avenue and c street northwest aud
on the public reservation at 9th
and i streets northwest, and in
lien thereof the companies shall construct and
maintain at the intersection OF Virginia and
Maryland avenues aforesaid. upon land de-
scribed as squares 464, 434, 40 and 1885,
or any part thereof to be secured by purch SO
or condemnation, passenger station or sta
tions Of such extent, architectural design and
arrangement as may be found advisable and
necessary nearly unifprm az nracticahi.