Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-19
THE CITIZENS OBJECT.
Five Reasons Given Why the Mcmillan
Railroad Bill Should Not Pass.


Railroad Bill should Not Pass.
At the hearing given the citizens Of South
Washington last week the Commissioners sug-
gested that committee be appointed to frame
the objections and present them to the Commits
sioners next Monday.
Promptly at noon today the committee,
which consists of Jas. L. Barbour. chairman;
o. T. Thompson, Henry wex, R. A. Walker,
Andrew Archer, o. N. Birckhead. N. II. Shea.
7. I. Ksane, David Murphy, William Fegan,
Jas. P. Shea, P. n. Dryer and John Fegan, ap-
peared before the Commissioners with their
written. objections to the Mcmillan bill The
hearing. however, was postponed until tomor-
row at noon, when the railroad will be repre-
sented by its attorney, Mr.. Enoeh Totten.
The objections to the bill under consideration
are set forth in the following paper, which will
be handed to the Commissioners tomorrow:
Before stating our objections TO the above
bill We wish il to be distinctly understood
are not opposed to railroads entering and occu-
plying q portion Of South Washington: on the
contrary We are well aware Of the benefits and
advantages to the travelling public and the best
interests OF Washington which proper railwa
facilities would afford, and are willing
to lend our cooperation and assistance to any
measure which shall arrange on q just and
reasonable basis the different interests involved
In settlement OF this question. After care.
consideration Of the Mcmillan bill. however, vs
are forced to the conclusion that instead of be-
ing an improvement on the present condition
OF affairs. its passage would work greater injury
to our section and intensity the feeling of dis
satisfaction which exists toward the present
cupation Of our best streets and avenues by the
railroad. Briefly stated, our objections are as
follows:
FIVE OBJECTIONS.
Firstly, under the provisions of sections
and the government deeds outright to the
railroad company without the slightest compen-
sation millions of dollars worth Of public prop
erty, and turns over to their exclusive use and
benefit great portion of our finest thorough
fares; in measure shuts off from the rest Of
the city and virtually destroys a desirable
residence section all that portion of South
Washington lying south Of Maryland avenue
and Virginia avenue.
Secondly, under the provisions Of section
the railroad company agrees to remove its
present tracks from 9th street, in lieu of which
the government gives them a portion Of the
mall, 225 feet in width by full depth OF square
from street north to b street south. or, in
other words, by the railroads condescension in
removing its tracks from q street 1t had occu-
pied without compensation for years the gov
eminent generously donates property whose in
trinsic value IL several hundred thousand dol
lars, and destroys forever the unbroken line of
parks from the Capitol to the monument.
ecCUOu AlOWs tut COW-
pany to purchase that part Of square 49, be-
tween B street south and Maryland avenue and
q line drawn $50 feet west of 9th street and
parallel to it, thus depreciating the value of the
rest Of the property in said square and leaving
its residents and owners without redress from
the railroad for the damages and injuries re-
sulting therefrom.
Fourthly Section provides that $50 far as
the wing walls and approaches TO the bridges
are concerned any work beyond its own
right Of way, the work necessary to be done
and all damages arising from the change of
grade of the streets or otherwise shall be borne
by the District of Columbia. This is one of the
worst Of the many lnjustices of the bill after
acquiring title to and use of much public prop
erty, without cost, 1t is calmly proposed
that all citizens whose properties have been
ruined by the proposed changes may obtain
redress by suing each other. In this connec-
ton the word otherwise" though apparently
small and trifling, looms up to great signifi-
canoe when its full meaning is Understood to
cover all damages of every description and
nature except occurring in or caused by the
company's sixty-six feet right of way And,
Filthy. Section 10 provides that the railroad
company shall construct additional track
over the Long bridge, in consideration for
which it is kindly relieved of any further
in the maintenance Of that public highway.
which has been about the only duty the COM
pany has performed In many years in con-
sideration of the valuable rights and privileges
it has acquired and enjoyed.
CONSTANT RAILROAD AGGRESSION.
The history of railroad legislation in the Dis
trict of Columbia for the past quarter of a CEN
fury SO far as South Washington in concerned
has been simply a series Of railroad aggressions;
it has continued to hold and occupy, often with
out legal right OF authority many Of our public
reservations and highways; it has long since
destroyed the beauty of the two principal
avenues and thoroughfares in South Washing
ton, and now as fitting climax it
proposes to practically take outright
the said avenues and all the
intersectlng and adjacent streets it may deem
necessary for its uses and benefits. 1t is doubt
full if such a radical and sweeping measure has
| ever been proposed in any city before, and we
feel certain it would never be considered in an
| assembly whose Representatives were directly
responsible to the citizens whose interests were
affected by its provisions, and in conclusion we
beg TO enter our respectful but firm protest
against this bill, meeting, as it does, with the
unanimous disapproval of our people. and sub
nit that as there can be no just government
without the consent of the governed, SO there
can be no just and equitable solution of this
railroad problem that does not meet the sane
ton and approval of q majority of the citizens
and property holders whose rights. whose in
terests and whose homes are directly affected
| thereby.