Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-12

TRADE SUGGESTS WAY OF DOING JUSTICE TO
ALL-THE wORKISGMES's PROTEST.
Tho South Washington Protective Associa-
tion and Citizens Association No. of the
same section sent today 10 the House District
committee an additional joint protest against
the Atkinson bill. They say:
I'VE think it would be a great yrcng to per-
nit the railroads to occupy the two most prom
inent avenues and the large reservation at
their intersection in the most valuable part of
South Washington. when a personal examina-
ton VIII prove conclIsiyely to your minds
that there Is abundance OF land east of Sd
street west that will furnish ample accommo-
datiOns for the distribution of freight at n con-
venient distance from the business center and
where danger would be reduced to a minimum.
We think 1t would be greater wrong. after
their many violations Of law and Illegal occu-
patton of streets and reservations, to give them
the right to condemn and take for their own
use property north or south of their tracks i'll
this valuable section ard allow them to in
crease the number of their tracks and thereby
increase the danger to traffic. to and from the
river. on the busy thoroughfares. 1t is a
notorious and significant fact that this road &C.
cupied and blOckaded these avenues for IN
loading and storing its freight cars, perfectly
Indifferent TO all protests and in violation of
law, up to within short time previous to the
presentation of this bill for your action. We
desire to call attention to the irreparable in
jury which this legislation will infilct upon
religious, charitable and educational in
terests. Almost ali the churches which fur
nish places Tor worship !or the people of this
portion of the city, already traversed by these
lines of railroad. within one square
OF these roads, and between % and
18th streets there are eleven churches
which are the most valuable church
structures in this part of the city. and there
are hve school buildings. Fully one-third OF
the $4,000 people living IN south Washington
are IN one way or another interested in these
Institutions. Now, submit that it is wholly
wrong and altogether unnecessary to further
iDhict US In this matter and We specially COM
plain of that feature of the bill which excerpts
church and school property from the con-
demnatory right granted the company by this
bill; our church and school properties would
become useless and valueless and as such
remain upon our hands. We appeal to you in
behalf Of our schools and churches to study
well this question before you Inflict upon us
the wrongs IN this bill. Our people will never
submit. The action of the Knights of Labor in
this city concerning the Atkinson bill supple
ments the previous protest of the Federation
OF Labor and arrays every labor organization in
the District and kindred organizations all over
the country against the bill. Local opinion is
practically unanimous in opposition to the bill
In Its present shape. The Board of Trade in
ecndemnlng 1t gave voice to the overwhelming
popular sentiment"
These organizations had previously filed a
strong protest and argument against the bill
protest signed by nearly 200 property owners
IN the neIghbOrhood of the tracks had already
been submitted
CHURCH PROTESTS.
The Sixth Presbyterian Church, which is a
special sufferer from the road, today sent to
the House District committee a special protest
against the bill.
The protest says. after setting forth the bills
sins OF ON ssion and commion:
Our edltlce Is located on the northeast corner
OF 9TH and streets southwest and the public
worship on the Sabbath is continuously inter-
rupted by the passage and making up of trains
on that etay; the services of the Sabbath school
and weekday meetings are INTERRUPTED al
most hourly during the day. besides endanger-
ing the lives of Sabbath school children.
The tracks have been laid almost against the
curb. notwithstanding our protest. The illegal
occupancy OF 9Th street opposite our church is
Nuisance and damage. as well as q constant
menace 10 the lives OF the congregation which
worshlps here. We join the vast majority of
the people of South Washington in a most de-
eloed opposition to the Atkinson bill in its
every feature, and unite with them in support
o. any measure which will remove the tracks
from 9th street, the depot from the mall and
removal of all tracks from the avenues except
Two tracks. Sufficient 10 accommodate trains in
passing through the city. We are in favor of
ample accOmm odations for tine railroads which
can be easily and cheaply obtained by purchase
south OF Virginia avenue and between South
capitol and 9th streets southwest"
PROTEST OF woRKISGMFN
Similar expressions of opinion from organ
Hations representing the whole city have
been given. The Federation of Labor repre-
senting nineteen of the labor organizations of
the District. passed resolutions vIgorou sIy de-
nouncInS the bill and indicating the purpose of
the organization to bring the matter to the
trades unions and assemblies of Knights of
Labor IN the districts of Congressman voting
for the bill In order that the latter mig hit ex.
PLAIN Why they voted to give away the rights,
property convenience and comfort OF citizens
OF Washington and to disfgure the capital city
OF the nation. Attention called in the pre-
amble to the fact that the bill makes no pro-
Vision for the safety of human life or the con-
Nenience OF the public by compelling the tracks
OF the railroad TO be above or below grade
District Assembly No. 10. knights of Labor
which combined with the Federation, repre-
sents all the trade organizations in the District
subsequently unanimously Endorsed the protest
Oh the Federation against the Atkinson bill
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
The Board OF Trade, containing the leading
business men Of the city, at full meeting, at
which nearly two hundred members were pres
ent. adopted without dissenting voice report
condemnlng the bill in its present shape The
merchants of the city are Oi course especially
interested In freight facilities and with an i'm
prOVement IN them But they are not unmind-
ful of the higher claims of measures to protect
human life. and they have regard also for the
pubic as well as for their own welfare. The
EePOEt Unanimously adopted by the representa-
tives Of nearly all branches Of business in all
parts of the city says:
House bill S243, introduced by Mr.. Atkinson.
contains the request of the Baltimore and Poto-
mac railroad that Its present illegal side tracks
and unauthorized occupation OF public property
be legallzed; that the Commissioners be enipow-
cred to grant 1t authority 70 lay side tracks and
that power OF condemnation be given it. LIZ
the suggestions OF the Morrill, bill are applied
To ms road as recommended some oil its desires
could by the same piece OF legislation properly
be met II the road should remove Its tracks
and station from the park, and sink and bridge
lis tracks as proposed, then the power to con-
denim property 10 tine south Of its tracks and
houttlng thereon and the right to run tracks
into this property would wisely be given. But
the Atkinson bill, as an Independent propOsi-
ton, should not be considered for an instant
The railroads at the capital have been for SO
ioLg time accustomed TO get whatever they
have asked for from Congress, and to defeat
every effort TO require them To make improve
nf"nts IN their methods or occupation to III
crease the safety and convenience OF the
pubic, that there is nothing remarkable to a
resIde Mt OF the District IN the railroads de-
mand of reward we'll as pardon for past
onensss without the suggestion of recompe use
IL any shape TO the public against whom tb csc
offenses have beer committed Elsewhere
such request might naturally excite profound
astonishment and public Indignation The
committee recommends the remodelng and
strengthening OF the Morrill, bill in the n amer
suggested. causing provisions a aDnIy tn