Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-15
THE PENNSYLvANIA'S PLANS.

Citizens of South Washington State Their
Objections to the Commissioners.
Citizens of South Washington opposed to:.what
is known the Mcmillan railroad bill, which
provides plan for the passage Of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad through South Washington by
means of depressed tracks, had a further hear.
ing before the Commissioners this afternoon.
The number present at the hearing in the board
room this afternoon indicated much interest II
the matter.
Among the prominent ones were Messrs
Chas. Parker, P. N. Dwyer, Frank Hume,
David Murphy, John Fegan, o. T. Thompson,
n: II. Shea, j. Harrison johnson, 7. T. Keane,
Chas. Schafer, p. r. Pullman, Jas. L. Barbour,
X. J. Earnshaw, Jas. o. Holmes, s. J. Block,
r. A. Walker, J. B. Prout, Morris Fitzgerald,
p. G. Sauer. s. P. Boyer. John Quinn, Michael
r. Leahy. VIM Fegan, Patrick Fegan, Jas. F.
Shea, Bernard Leonard, j. N. Birckhead and c.
b. Church.
PETITION AGAINST THE BILL.
Mr.. James L. Barbour. the first speaker, in
troduced Mr.. James T. Shea. who read the fol-
lowing petition: We, the undersigned residents
end property owners of South Washington, re-
spectfully but earnestly protest against
Senate bill No. 3477, otherwise known
as the Mcmillan bill Owing to
the short time given us for its consideration
and the limited opportunities we have had for
thoroughly studying and explaining its de-
tails we are unable at the present time
to enter into an elaborate and specific
argument respecting all Of Its sections and
provisions. Enough is known, however, to
understand that the effect of its passage would
be to virtually destroy South Washington as a
residence section Of the city. to cripple its
business and the citizens by practically shut
ting it off from other sections and under the
plea of caring for the travelling public to
turn over to the railroad company three fourths
OF some of our finest avenues and thoroughfares.
worth millions of dollars, to make the District
Of Columbia bear large portion of the ex-
penses and be held responsible for a large por-
ton of the damages and injury to property
that will necessarily follow the passage Of this
bill.
Your petitioners therefore pray that you will
disapprove the proposed bill as directly op-
posed to the interests of Washington or at
least to insist upon more time being granted for
its consideration and discussion. 1t seems
passing belief that so important a measure.
affectingelirectly the interests OF over 80 900
residents'of South Washington, and, in fact all
citizens of the District, by reason of
the Wholesale gift of public property,
should be hurried to passage. And
we feel satisfied that when its
provisions are thoroughly understood and APP
preciated there will be such strong and unani-
nous opposition from citizens of all sections as
to render Its passage impossible, except by
completely overriding and destroying rights and
liberties guaranteed Us under republican form
Of government.
EXPLAINING THEIR DIRECTIONS.
Mr.. Barbour explained the objections to the
bill. At AZ street, where his property was To-
Gated he said bridge would have to be built
and the grade raised thirteen and a half feet
Approaches would have to be built to this
bridge and gradual grade established. This
would damage his property irreparabiy. He
infinitely preferred an elevated road unless the
depression of the tracks was SO deep as to allow
OF crossings that would not interfere with the
grade of the streets
In the desultory conversation which followed
many OF the citizens explained their objections.
majority of them were in favor Of letting the
railroad remain where it is in preference to
adopting the plan proposed in the Mcmillan
bill. 1t was suggested by Commissioner Doug
lass that the directors put their views in writ
ing, and Mr.. Shea, on the part Of those present,
accepted the proposition.