New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-21
THE RAILROAD PROBLEM AT THE CAPITAL
REFUSING TERMINAL FACILITIES TO THE Penn
sYLvANIA RAILROAD COMPANY.

SYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY.
Washington, June 90 (spcciaD.-One Of the greatest
drawbacks 10 the progress of Washington "a the in
ability OF the railroads 10 handle the business of the
city. This inability is the result Of determination
on the part Of few persons 10 oppose the granting Of
proper facilities 10 the railroads at any cost. In
deed the warfare waccd by these people has assumed
character Of late which makes difficult for an out
slider to distinguish It from petty persecution and
blaclmail. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company some
time ago made large purchases Of land, upon which
Il proposed 10 erect sheds and warehouses for the
proper handling Of freight but, upon attempting to
connect the property thus purchased with the main
road, in1uncons were served and the company pro-
hbited from carrying out its purpose. The company
then bought property elsewhere In a neghborhood
where there could not possibly be any legitimate obec
ton its establishing Itself permanently, and there
erected roundhouse and other sheds for the delivery
and storage OF freight When IL attempted tO connect
these buildings with the main line new ininnctions
secured. and these we're followed up b. indict-
mcns against the railroad and the Commissioners Of
the District who gave permission for the laying Of the
tracks. These indictments stu pending. should
they be sustained II would prevent the railroad from
running a single locomotive into It's roundhousc here
such absurd opposition on the part Of handful Of
property is not only annoyance and loss 10
the railroad company but great inconvenience to
merchants. because the company IS thus prevented
the large quantity Of freight daily received here.
Thus the railroad company is opposed by few resi-
dents because 1t occupies the streets upon which they
live, and complaints made on the other hand, by
the merchants because their frcighs not promptly
delivered.
To remedy the present state Of affairs, which is
conceded by every 10 be inolcrable there was
introduced in Congress bill known the Atkinson
BILL 1t is measure which attempts TO furnish the
railroad with increased terminal facilities while at the
time 1t guards the interests Of property
1t will up for consideration next week The op
position TO it Is trying to enlist support by making
the public believe that permanent title 10 the ground
which the present passenger station Of the company
is situated is involved in It's passage. But this Is an
entirely different question: and has nothing whatever
10 do with the granting Of proper terminal facilities TO
the road. The passenger station stands on public
reservation, and its tracks cross what Is known a.
tho Mall name given 10 public ground5 extending
westward from the Capitol 10 the Potomac River The
opposition 10 continuing the railroad station in It's
present location springs from easily explained sen
ument and the perfectly proper desire 10 have the
Mali preserved as public park, free from commercial
intrusons. The majority Of the people. however, in,
Guiding the business OF the District opposed
TO the removal Of the station. and anxious that
the company shall have proper terminal facilities for
not in any way involve the right of the company
touching the continuance Of the station, Int simply
provides that Il shall have the right purchase land,
the line Of its road. and connect the main track
with the same by sidimgs.
Until such measure as this IS passed and the
terminal facilities Of tho company increased, the
business interests Of Washington will necessarily sui.
fer. Al present the facilities Of the company are
limited 10 the discharge Of about 100 per day
while this daily arrivals for last year averaged 206
daily and the leaving here averaged nearly
zoo daily. The necessity for remedial legislation II
80 papable that there should be hesitation the
part OF Congress 20 act promptly I'm the matter The
railroad company should have the same facilities
granted 10 for doing business at the National Cap
| ital that freely given in other cities. The en-
trance OF railroad into large city l. certain
nfict inconvenience upon people who live along the
line Of the road, but the Inconvenience OF the few
should not DO permitted 10 stand in the way Of the
| convenience and interests Of the many and OF the
business necessities and natural progress OF the city