Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-07
DISTRICT RAILROAD EVILS.
Relief Asked by Successive Commits
sioncrS.

TOO MANY SURFACE TRACKS OBSTACLES TO
TRAVEL AND INPRovENEST-rHE BUISEp MALL
AFFLICTED NORTHEAST AND socrH WASH
ISeroS-USHEEDED APPEALs FOR A RrxEpY.
'Since the settlement Of the question Of tho
Potomac fats and the water supply OF the last
session Of Congress there is nothing Of SO much
Importance to the interests of the city as the
settlement OF the railroad question. and it
should be pressed with the utmost urgency"
So said Lieut.. Greene in his report Of lss2.
The present District government. since its es-
adjustment in 1878, has recognized the i'm
portance of this problem, and has constantly
given voice to the appeal Of the District tor
relief from the evils endured. IL has not been
the fault Of the District or its representatives
IN the local government that the railroads have
remained in practical control OF the streets
and reservations Of the city, and have con.
tinued to exercise unlimited power harshly
and lnjuriously. The prospect of a discussion
OF the railroad question in the House next
District day gives interest to the representa-
tons and requests for legislation of the Com
mlssioners representing the District. During
the period covered public sentiment has also
been indicated In meetings. of citizens and by
delegations appearing before congressional
SOuiuiAtttcs. lucH statements and recon-
mendatlons are substantially reproduced.
though, perhaps, in a mild form. in the official
reports OF the needs OF the District.
The Commissioner in their report of 1878
said: I'VE feel it our duty TO refer to the pres
ence of the two railway depots in the city of
Washington, both of which are serious OBJ
stacles to the Improvements of the localities
where they are established, besides being
sources of unnecessary danger TO the public in
the streets along which the tracks pass. The
Baltimore and Ohio railroad depot, with its
tracks for approach, prevents grading the
streets upon the north side of the Intermediate
vicinity of the Capitol grounds. Its tracks
from Baltimore to the west occupy a consider
able portion OF the northeastern part OF the
city III such n manner as to impair the value OF
the property and impede the progress of i'm.
p~rovements, while they cross Massachusetts
avenue, practically severing the finest street in
the city. 1t is entirely practicable to unite
these two lines outside the city and bring them
Ill upon one line of street TO a station some.
where north of Massachusetts avenue and thu.
remove much of the objection to and damage
arising from the location of the depot IN
that portion Of the city. The Baltimore and
Potomac railroad depot and tracks are equally
injurious to the Improvement and welfare OF
the part of the city they occupy. Crossing the
mail they divide and disfigure this beautiful
park, extending from the Capitol to the Pres
idents house, besides greatly injuring the
streets on the south side of il on account of the
clrcultous manner OF approach, and obstruc~
ing improvements on the south side of the
Capitol. The depot of the company should be
removed across the mall and TO the vicinity OF
reservation No. IL. 1t is not to be expected
that the surroundings of the Capitol can be.
come what they ought to be while these two
railway stations occupy their present Sites"
In 1879 they again urged action as follows
washington Is increasing rapidly in popula.
ton and the improvements now in progress are
DanpFnllV nf "A Sunarlnr nr1ar Dut ARIA Sna
tions of the city In the vicinity of the tracks
and stations of the Baltimore and Ohio and Bal.
tlmore and Potomac railway companies do mo-
share in the development and prosperity else.
where SO apparent. and it happens that these
tracks and stations are in the vicinity of the
Capitol, upon the north and south sides. Tn
Capitol grounds, the grounds of the Executive
Mansion and those which connect them foru
together a magnificent park of 33l acres in the
heart of the city. But. occupied aud severed
as IL is by railway tracks and depot. il car
never be effectively improved and its beauty n
well as its enjoyment by the public are fatal,
marred. This is, we think. a grievance which
should no longer be tolerated. . W.
again earnestly invite the attention of Congress
to this subject"
In 1880 they come to the scratch with undi
minished enthusiasm: 1.-The Commissioner
again respectfully, but earnestly, invoke speed
action by Congress on the all-important subiec
of steam railroad stations. So long as one OF
these stations is permitted to obstruct the ex
tension and Improvement OF streets at the
very doors of the Capitol and another is al
lowed to sever and destroy for free public Use
the magnificent park and boulevard which con.
meets the Capitol and Executive Mansion the
growth and adornment of the federal capita
must be seriously, if not fatally, impeded.
In this connection we recommend that al
steam roads be required, when practicable, &
enter the city on grades below the grades of the
streets, SO as not to interfere with street traf
fic."
The Commissioners annual report of 1881
calls attention to Capt. HoXie's report of thai
year and to a special report to be furnished to
Congress In reference to a request from thai
body. The features of Capt. Hoxie's recon.
mendatlons are embodied in this special report
A majority OF the Commissioners favor the h
street route in South Washington. but indorse
the report and bill of Maj. 1wining. the Engi
neer Commissioner, and forward them to Con
gress on the theory that Maryland and Virginia
avenues are to be used for railroad purposes
Maj. Twining's plan brought the Baltimore and
Ohio down 18th street east. in tunnel at G
street, carried both Baltimore and Ohio anC
Baltimore and Potomac through South Wash.
ington above or below grade, along MARYLAND
and Virginia avenues. with a union station al
their intersection. Speaking of the Baltimore
and Ohio he says: This road has been con
structed without regard to the established
grades OF the several streets and avenues which
IL occupies or crosses. lnls TACT, which
at the time was probably considered OF
little importance, has. by reason of the
growth of the city, become a serious nuisance
and the cause of constantly increasing com.
plant" OF the Baltimore and Potomac lac
says: This road occupies the two great ave.
MUGS in the southwest portion of the city al
grade. ana employs them for standing trains
and for the unloading of heavy freights to the
great OF the ordinary business and
travel of the streets. Ii also crosses the grand
park which extends from the Capitol 10 the
Executive Mansion and prevents its improve
ment. When the privilege OF this
location was granted to the company the mall
east OF 9th street was unimproved and the oh.
lection was not SO obvious. At present this
improvement Is progressing by annual appro-
priationS and the presence of the depot and
tracks is a serious and unsightly obstruction.
These branch lines are open to the common
objection of occupying the greater part of a
narrow street at grade. These tracks should
be removed and the road should be confined to
the line of Virginia and Maryland avenues rs in
the case of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad"
In 1882 tho commissioners said: The pres.
ent status OF the steam railway in this District
Is a most unsatisfactory one, not only to its
citizens, but to the arrangements of the roads
as well. The report of Lieut.. Greene, APP.
pended hereto, gives n clear statement of the
facts III the case, and recites the steps hereto.
fore taken with the view of bringing about an
improving state of affairs. At the last session
Of Congress a bill for the construction of a
union depot was introduced, but no action
taken. This proposed to bring the Baltimore
and Ohio and Baltimore and Potomac tracks
together near North Carolina avenue and lst
street east. and theme reach the Long Bridge
by an elevated road to Virginia avenue. where.
passing below grade. it was to be continued as
A Enn TO- .@-1 49,, .--s- .-4 Asa