Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-23

The advocates of total surren der to the rail-
road pronounce absurd and unvarrantable the
assumption that II Congress now grants what
the railroad asks the railroad will henceforth
close its ears to what the people ask. The road
has been deaf to the appeals OF the people for
10, these many years, and IL il csn get from the
public and Congress what it now needs without
gratifying any of these requests by way OF
compensation, what earthly reason will exis.
to justify the belief that its ears will be here
after opened: Every citizens association which
has been organized in Washington. down to
and including the board of trade, has asked for
these improvements. Nearly every board Of
Commissioners has made the same appeal and
. number Of them have wildly pictured the
evil Of existing conditions and presented prac-
tical plans OF relief During all these years
the railroad has steadily ignored every request
for improvement 1t has intensified these evils
by habitual violations Of law. and, confident Of
Its grip upon Congress. it has shown a lofty
contempt for the people, the officials and the
courts OF Washington, a. well as for its
lava The railroad and transpor .ation COM
mittees of the board of trade, COM
prising some Of the most prominent citi-
zsns Of Washington, held conference last JAN
uary with Vice President Thompson, in which
lie indicated the intention of the road to intro
duce the measure, condoning its illegal acts and
granting II various privileges, which was after
ward presented by Mr.. Atkinson. The ohjec-
tons to certain details of the bill were then
suggested, and the request made that pro-
visions for improvement in the conditions of
the railroad occupation should be coupled with
the bill These committees were most friendly
in feeling towards the road, and indicated that
if it would insert in tine measure which il was
preparing some reasonable concessions to the
public they would work with all their might
for the speedy passage Of the railroads bill.
Mr.. Thompson snubbed them. The same fate
has met every other suggestion of compr mise
and common concessions, both those made by
the directors of the board of trade in a resolu-
tion, and by the railroad committee at congress
sional hearings. The railroad has consistently
acted "a IL 1t owned Congress, as if the mere
indication of its wishes to that body would
suffice TO secure their qualification, as if the
request of the people for the protection of life
and property was presumptaous if ii right |
fully exercised despotc rule at the capital
SO that the people must crawl TO
its feet with their requests which
would he considered in its own good time and |
granted or refused at its royal pleasure. A |
pubilc spirit is developing in Washington. The |
capital is getting too Ia 'ge to be tramped upon
and kicked by single corporation. The |
people are reaching that stage IN municipal |
development in which sclfsh jealous, snarlins |
factions aud sections sink their differences and |
combine for the common welfare. The people |
of the city need better prote ton OF life and |
limb and reduction of the slaughter at grade |
crossings The merchants of the city need |
greater freight facilities. The capital for Its
beauty as a city needs the mall, or at the least
a complete covering of the ugliuess of railroad
tracks upon it. All the sc needs can be and
should be satisfied at once, and no class of |
citizens should selfishly insist that one need be
met in such a manner as to sacrifice the others.
Trade is important So is the beauty of the
city. Human life is the most important of all