Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-15
THE RAILROAD PROBLEM.
Mr.. @. b. Stephenson Indorses the Plan Sug
Gestcd by the Commissioners.

Mr.. @. b. Stephenson Endorses the Plan sug-
Kestcd by the Commissioners.
IT think" said Mr.. C. B. Stephenson to q
STAR reporter today, "that the solution Of the
rail road question in South Washington made
by the District Commissioners yesterday in
their report on Senate bill 3272 meets the ap-
proval Of the people of that section, and
will, believe, be unopposed by the people of
the District generally. The scheme suggested
by the Commissioners, however, is not a new
one, for the very same thing was, if 1 remember
rightly, originated with and was advocated by
the people of South Washington five or six years
ago.
"Of course" continued Mr.. Stephenson, 1--WE
OF South Washington only favor the scheme
provided its adoption removes from Maryland
and Virginia avenues the tracks which now dis
figure those thoroughfares. We are. as we have
SO often stated, decidedly opposed to grade
crossings, and whether this scheme is
adopted or not we will oppose them as
long as we possess the power to
snmmated the Pennsylvania railroad would be
benefited because it would have direct route
at less expense, the people of South Washing
ton would be benefited by the removal of the
tracks from Maryland and Virginia avenues,
and property on Water street would be greatly
ADOPT THE PEOPLES VIEWS.
"But, SIR" remarked Mr.. Stephenson, 'do
you know the railroad company have almost in
variably finally adopted the first suggestions Of
the citizens of South Washington? Not at first
and perhaps not always with good grace, but
they have, as say, in almost every instance at
last come to see that the points made and the
matters suggested by us were not only pos
sible, but also really beneficial to the
interests of the company. Why, sir, if the COM
pany should buy the ground on both sides of
street it could in very short time make
thousands of dollars out Of the investment in
selling the land to merchants and others who
would be almost compelled to buy land abut-
ting on their tracks for warehouses and such
purposes.
"As to the location Of passenger station at
9TH and X Streets said Mr.. Stephenson. II
have not given much thought. But have
heard the matter discussed and presume that it
would be good location. do not believe that
there would be any objection on the part Of
our citizens to the location of astationa reason
ably short distance north of the tracks on X
street Ii the road should desire a square or two
for such purpose.
81 am glad to see thu. THE STAR is advocating
the entrance of the Norfolk and Western rail-
road into the District" said Mr.. Stephenson.
''The entrance would be of immense value and
importance to the people Of the District.
1t would yield Us the great benefits
which the terminal of great and
enterprising road always gives and
would bring people here that would never come
any other way. Why, sir, its entrance is abso
lutely needed by us and the benefits would
derive are. as / say. simply incalculable Our
traffic is making immense strides. as may be
seen from The STARS river reports. And, by
the way, hope those reports will be kept up.
am glad to see them. They are of great i'm
portance and interest. Go down to Water
street and at certain times of the day you will
find it almost completely BACKED by traffic"
MR.. N. II. SHEA.
Mr.. N. II. Shea stated to a STAR reporter that
he favored the use of X and Water streets by
the Pennsylvania railroad. His views agreed
with those expressed by Mr. Stephenson,
although Mr.. Shea thought the tracks should be
elevated. He also thought n passenger sta
ton just back of the Botanical Gardens would
best meet the approval of every one. He
stated. however. that he saw no really serious
objection to its location ct 7th and X streets
southwest. He WIS opposed to grade crossings
and bridges. and thought an elevated road the
best solution of the question.