Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-11-01

returned verdict written in the blood
of one OF their best citizens before they
would act in this matter of requiring
the railroads to erect gates to protect
life and property; prominent citizens
had narrowly escaped death. Dir. r. F..
Roberts, who lived near the city,
had been killed. Mr. Pullman had been
severely injured-all because gates had
not been erected in and near the city.
He said he represented $4,000 citizens
who demand,d that these roads which
had not built the city properly should
be required to erect gates. He then
went on to say how well the city had
treated the railroads but that ct this
meeting the citizens were not treated
with the same courtesy as was shown
the railroad officials, as the latter had
seats among the committee, while the
former had seats outside the railing; he
said the city must have proper depot
and the railroads should be required to
turuish better facilities; the present de-
pot was filthy place and was dis
grace; he said the talk of the railroad
not paying was all fal lal; he believed
i did pay his firm with others paid
the company Thousands Of dollars ar
nuaily; the citizens would require the
erect n of gates and if this Council did
not act another would.
Col. Smith said the TRADE of Mr..
Beckham was more like an address be-
fore jury than talk before COM
mittee. He would say that in reference
TO the killing of Mr. Roberts the courts
had decided that the railroad was not TO
blame; when DR.. Purvis' case came be-
fore the jury he would have some ques-
lions to ask him then and as Mr.. Fol-
mar case was in court he would not
discuss that matter; Mr.. Hellmuth had
admitted he had driven to q railroad
crossing at 'lively gait" and so
had not taken proper precautions.
Mr.. Beckham's heresay statements
about the finances of the road
could not hold when what he (Col. s.
had stated came from the official re-
ports he was not present, however,
TO enter into any such discussion the
railroad had until recently been tied up
by litigation the company, however,
did intend to give city better depot
at a seasonable time, but not at the die
tation Of any one man; the railroad
had not until recently paid running ex-
penses and interest, aud last year,
even after the bonded debt
had been reduced, the company
had earned only about two thousand
dollars over its expenses; the com
many vas not an Liberal one; it ask
cd Jut few favors, it gave the best OF
travelling facilities, paid promptly all
city taxes, employees, &c. He thought
1t would be better to postpone the con-
sideraton of this matter till more pros
Porous times. During Col. Smiths re-
marks he was frequently interrupted by
,,Ieszrs. Beckham and Hellmuth, and
Dr. Puryis and at times there were ami
mated colleagues.
DR.. Purvis said Col. Smith had Jump
ed on some for driving too fast and on
others for driving too slow; there
should be gates; the railroad might
own the City Council, but there was a
power behind the Council.
Mr.. Evans said he understood that
the meeting was held to hear what was
TO be said on the subject of gates, not
to have Council discussed.
Mr.. Cation said the question before
the committee was only to ascertain
whether there existed necessity for
gates to protect life and limb.
Mr.. Chas. King said he was friendly
to the railroads; the representative Of
the Pennsylvania Co. in this city, Mr.
joyce, was not excelled anywhere and
the merchants like TO do business with
that company in reference TO gates he
would say that be had narrowly es-
capped with his life on several occasions
as he had seen no hagman; seldom saw
llagman on Midland road except run
ming ahead of the train; he did net
think the railroads should be required
to erect gates except at King, Prince,
and 0ronoco streets; this matter had
nothing to do with the expense Of the
road; he believed, however, that
watchmen could be obtained for $40
month he knew the receipts of the
railroad had increased during the past
few years.
Mr.. Beckham wanted it understood
that he was rot unfriendly to the rail-
roads, indeed his livelihood and that of
his household was in measure Deepen
dent on railroads, but be felt that he
was present to watch over the city's in
terests.
The committee then announced that
they would consider the bill at their
next meeting.