Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-07
The repOr, Of SO follow. the lead o, 81.

mendations. the Commissioner would recon-
mend and urge upon Congress the importance
of legislation as follows: That the
bill to regulate steam railroads reported 10 the
senate February .. ISIS. by the Hon. J. J.
Ingalls,. chairman OF the Senate for
the District of Columbia, in order that the
status OF the road may be definitely fixed be-
fore the close OF the session" The report re-
ferrsd 10 is that OF Lieut. Greene. extracts from
whose fail report Of the year before are given
above.
In 1884 the Commissioners repeated their
recommendation that action should be taken.
Lieut. Greene reported:
The question o! steam railroad routes
within the city limits Is still unsettled. In fact.
II seems TO be no nearer a settlement than 10
was Tour years ago. when the Commission ers
were first directed by resolution Of the Senate
TO investigate and report upon IL. In every
succeeding annual report the subject has been
discussed at length. and at every session NJ has
been considered by the committees of Com
gress. but no action has vet been taken. The
views which have been constantly advocated
by the Commissioners require the removal OF
lhe Pennsylvania railroad depot 20 a point
south OF tho mall: the removal of the Ralti-
more and Ohio railroad depot 60 q point which
would not ohstruct North Capitol street. and
the uniting Of the two branches of the latter
road at some point outside the city limits from
which they could enter the city on the proper
grade. The bull emhodying these views met
the approval of the Senate committee. and IL
was reported favorably 20 the senate IN Feb
ruary. 1883, at the close of the session. but IL
was not acted upon. At the beginning Of the
last session the matter was again taken up in
the committee, where II was vigorously opposed
by the Pennsylvania railroad. which desires no
change Ia the existing condition of things. as
IL has an unrivaled location for its own inter-
ests. A modification was also desired by the
baI.inlore ana ONO railroad IN order that IL
might he enabled TO pass through the city and
obtain a southern connection. Numerous pl.ns
were proposed and debated. hut the session
closed without any action. Meantime the cen.
trai park OF the city continues 10 be cut m two
by one road. and the streets OF the northeast
ern section rendered impossible by the other"
In 1873 the commissioners said: Il. 80 far
as practicable the two roads baltimore aud
ONO ana Baltimore and PotomAcD should enter
aud pass through the city on substantially the
same lines; ,. The principal passenger depot
should be a union building. or composed Of
two independent structures adjoining each
other; 3. This depot should be central ia iI
location and conveniently reached from the
principal hotels; 4. Suitable provision should
be made for handling freight and otherwis.
meeting the requirements of a well-regulatcc
railroad without unduly inluring the adjoin.
ing property: 5. Provision should be made Tor
avoiding TO the greatest extent possible street
crossing OF the track at grade: Il
The duties and powers of the Commissioners
OF the District in relation 10 the railroads
should be more clearly defined. In relation 10
I the route TO be followed through the
~. NV WV AoaAAN III AAANAAu
to place their main depots in the vicinity
Of the present Potomac depot. approaching the
same by covered tracks, leaving Virginia ave-
nue. at a point midway between 9th and eth
streets west. The tracks on 9th street should
be entirely removed, so as 10 open that import
ant thoSoughfare to the public use. The Com
mlssloners are aware of the great opposition
that has shown itself ION their part as well as
by the public to the occupation OF any para
of the mall for railroad purposes: but having
already held on to Its lodgment there for the
pact twelve years. the Potomac company will
strenuously antagoniZe any movement looking
TO its removal therefrOn, and undoubtedly Il
would be difficult TO select a depot site that
would better accommodate the travelling pub-
lie, citizens of the District as well as lus nuiner-
Gus visitors. The principal objection to the
present arrangement Is the complete appropri-
alton of 9th street by the railroad and the OBJ
struction of pleasure travel through the sys-
tom OF parks extending from the White Lot 10
the Capitol. But both of these objections will
be eliminated il the approach 10 the drpots
should be made IN the manner now indicated
IN this rep ort; certainly the railroad COM
panies could make no substantial objection
TO it,"
In 1856 the Commissioner show that the dis
enlargement which comes from many disap-
pOintments and the ignoring OF their recon-
mendatlons is felt by them as in 1855.
while IN general approving the idea OF a
common entrance the Commissioners do not
at this time urge upon Congress any radical
alteration OF existing routes, but do earnestly
invite attention 10 the necessity for compelling
some minor alterations which could be pres
emily effected at no great cost and at the same
time serve important public interests"
The changes recommended are TO require the
Baltimore and Potomac to cease using street.
for freight and storage purposes and TO
abanon 9th street and to require the Baltimore
and Ohio to come into the city by single line Of
entrance and to remove station to the eastward
of North Capitol street.
In 1AA- hApn aa.un.1 a., ..,.. =. Al a.
missioners and an admirable special report to
the Senate resulted. They said:
The existing means of rail transportation OF
both kinds exhibit many Objectionable features
and serious defects. Prominent among these.
in the case OF steam railways. the occupancy
OF numerous streets and "A multiplication of
grade crossings, alike dangerous TO life and
limb, destructive to property interests OF great
value, lnlmlcal to private rights and opposed
to public policy as in conflict with the rights
and necessities Of a modern community. Orig
nally established when Washington was an un-
kempt village OF inconslderable extent and
population and of no importance save as the
seat OF government, the railroads. more mind
ful apparently of their corporate interests than
of their true character and functions ~ public
servants, have not only failed TO adapt them
selves to the growth and enlarging interests Of
the community. but have in sons respects put
themselves IN direct antagonlsm thereto by an
unlawful expansion of their holdings and the
occupancy of public space far beyond their
chartered rights and privileges.
1T is but just TO the Baltimore and Potomac
TO say that in the construction of it's main lines
and stations il is believed TO have restricted
itself to it's lawfully acquired privileges. and
that Its service partakes of that minuteness
of care and attention TO the comfort and safety
OF passengers which is so marked a feature in
the railway system of which II forms a portion:
but in the occupation Of public space to which
1t Is not entitled, in the crossing of streets not
authorized by law. IN the expansion and multi
\ pllcation OF side tracks and switches and in
particular In the unlawful use and occupation
of public streets as freight and storage wards,
to the obstruction of public travel and the
grea. detriment aud annoyance of private
rights, the road has exhibited that Tendency
toward the protection of its own interests in
disregard OF those of others and the violation
of public rights which large business
corporations of this character are sure TO dis
play in the the absence of watchfulness and
needful restraining influences.
The unnecessary burdens imposed upon the
public by both these wealthy corporations have
long been the cause of earnest protest and
! have led TO frequent and urgent appeals 70
Congress for redress on the part of the Dis
trict government and Others. From time TO
time plans have been prepared and submitted
for the better adjustment of the railway sys-
TENS to the public need, but as yet no step Of
importance has been taken, and the interests
of the District continue to suffer in yearly in
creasing measure. Ii is believed that Con-
gress is now prepared TO deem the time ripe
for action, and to make such final order upon
the subiect as n whole MS shall hast eu,arya