Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-16
A RAILROAD HEARING.
Property Owners Protest Against Grant
ing the Pennsylvania Roads Request

A Property Owners Protest Against Grant
ing the Pennsylvania Roads Request
Representative Atkinson, the father Of the
Atkinson bill, which passed Congress at its last
session, was a visitor at the District building
today. He called in the interest of bis bill,
which the subject of some discussion yes
terday afternoon between the Commissioners
and the representatives Of the Pennsylvania
railroad. The latter, as stated in yesterday 8
STAR, was DESTROYS of obtaining possession
Of certain property in South Washington
for freight purposes, which. under the act
above referred to. II entitled to do pro-
vided IL had the approval of the Commissioners
of the District Dr. Atkinson spent eonslder-
able time discussing the proposition OF the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company with Col Rob-
ert in the latters private Office Mr.. f. e..
Caldwell, one of the property owners IN square
29S Through which, il will be remembered.
the PENNSYLVANIA railroad desires to run its
tracks,. was also present. and protested vigor-
ously against the Commissioners allowing the
company any such privilege unless it bought
the entire square. IF. he said, 1.-The railroad
company is allowed to run through a portion
of this square, the result will be that the re-
manning occupants will not only be incom-
NODDED by the smoke and frightful noises, but
Will also be in mortal terror of their lives"
Mr. ATKISsoS's TALK.
The conversation then drIfted to general rail-
road matters Representative Atkinson said:
when the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
desired to increase its freight facilities and
have the sidings which the courts had decided
were Illegal legalized. 1t was willing to do
great many things and make many concessions
which would have benefited the public con-
siderably. For instance" he said. 1.-THE COM
pany did not object to tunneling at
certain portions of the road, but as soon
We saw that there was to be no compromise
81. ~ha%r he
was to defeat the bill We went into the fight to
win all we could. II is well known that Wash
ingtOn is a growing city and has not the freight
facilities il should have. of course i realize
that great many improvements could be
made in the way matters stand at present. L
am in favor of raising the Long Bridge and
think Col. Hams plan for elevatng same
good one"
Mr. cALDwELL's REToRT.
''The great trouble that the people Of South
Washington have had to contend with right
along" said Mr.. Caldwell addressing Mr.. At
linson. sis the powerful influence your cor
poratiOn vields. The great trouble in the first
place was the banking of cars and the unload
ing of freight along our streets and avenues
As soon as Won saw that the courts would not
allow you TO Illegally obstruct the streets you
found place TO do your unloading, although
the cry had been that there was no place you
had to do business.
Inc bearing then ended. Representative
Atkinson expressed the hope that the whole
matter would be settled as well as the Com
missioners had settled other difficult matters.
A STAR reporter Intercepted Mr. Caldwell
in the hall. He said:"This Pennsylvania Railroad
Company is becoming uncomfortable. First it OBJ
structs our streets and puts Us to every lncon-
venience in the world 1t is forced to remove
these distractions. after great deal of fight
ing. and then 1t crosses our streets with
tracks. endangering the lives of our families,
and il N r-rah the hest
tons of our squares. without any regard at all
for the comfort or convenience of the people"
Col Robert will make his Recommendation
to the board in a few DAYS.