Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-04
A CONSTANT MENACE,
Death Dealing Grade Crossings
Along the Pennsylvania B. 3.
REPORT OF TIE INSPECTORS
Lite is Continually Endangered
Along the Line, They Say.
ALTERATIONS RECOMMENDED.

AA4GlSA11ONS RECOMMENDED
some time ago the Engineer Commissioner
instructed the general inspector of the en-
sineer department to examine into the mat
Ter OF the steam railroads within the city.
General Inspector Beggs took with him In
spector L. p. Bradshaw, and the two made
thorough and searching inquiry into the
matter. During July they reported upon
the b. and D. railroad. This morning they
submitted their report on the B. and p. rail-
road 1t is lengthy and valuable paper,
and should be read carefully by every one
who Is interested in the welfare Of the city
and the safety of the citizens
The report says that the system Of grade
crossings renders the probability of acci-
dent so great as to be constant menace to
the safety of the community. 1t Is not in
the authority Of the inspectors, however. to
do away with the system. and, finding
things as they are. they recommend a num-
Der of valuable changes and improvements
which they think will better the situation,
at least until such time as grade crossings
In large city are relegated to things Of the
past.
The report In full is as follows;
The Report.
Capt. Charles F. Powell. Engineer Commits
stoner, District of Columbia.
Sir: In accordance with your instructions
directing an examination of the steam rail-
roads have the honor to transmit q re-
port on the Baltimore and Potomac road.
which completes the scope Of the exanaiIa-
ton as ordered.
find the tracks throughout ana the cross-
ings at street intersections, with few eN-
ceptions. to be in good condition. also safety
gates at all street crossings along the line.
operated by watchmen both day ana night.
except at 18th. 18th. 18th and Is Ia streets
southwest, where gatemen are stationed
The fact. however, that this road passes
over the streets and avenues of an improv-
ed and thickly populated portion Of the city
ders the probability of accident 90 great as
to be a constant menace to the safety OF
the community.
fective provision against accident the pub
lie necessity would seem to demand that
those means already adopted should Se used
to oS the best possible od advantass IN ana that
tect the travelling public as the exigency
of the case requires.
l, therefore. submit for your approval the
following recommendations as necessary to
meet the present requirements Of the pub
lie safety and convenience:
Recomm en- dat tfOns.
The extension of the planking at the east
end Of the 9Th street southeast crossing
meet fence post in the center Of the tracks
at that point This will admit Of a foot
walk across the tracks. which are now
bare. to the platforms on either side
The solid planking of the 5th street south
east crossing to include the sidewalks Of
9TH street. which IS improved to this point
Also, repairs to the planking Of the switch
leading into the navy yard from the main
tracks at this point. Under the tracks at
this crossing are two pipe drains through
9TH street, Immediately north Of which and
adjacent to the tracks are two dangerous
openings, which should be protected with
planking.
New jersey Avenue Crossing.
desire especially to call your attention
to the dangerous character Of this crossing
and the necessity for better protection TO
TSa1s 1rSlts and ,,,ftSI, foot passengers here:
crossing New Jersey avenue at this point,
In addition to the switches leading to the
storage tracks Of freight and passenger cars
west Of the crossing. These tracks are con-
t1nually occupied by shifting engines and
moving trains, which is a dangerous feature
IN itself, but the exceptional width of the
crossing and the storage of cars adjacent to
the main tracks In the yards to the west,
which sometimes amount to trains in guam
difficulty that the watchmen from their sta
tionS are able to observe the approach of
trains coming from the west. Especially is
this the case with respect to the watchman
in attendance upon the south gates. Hence
there is great danger Of persons being ad-
mitted upon the tracks through ignorance
OF the approach of trains.
Another Questionable feature of this
crossing Is that foot passengers and We
hicles are compelled to pass through the
north r,oFtotSa gates over the same roadway; thus
danger of being run over In this way, since
there Is always more or less hurry to get
over the crossing. In view Of this condi-
ton of affairs 1 regard this as one of the
most dangerous crossings Of its kind. and
would suggest, as tending to lessen the
liability Of accident at this point. the fol-
The stationing Of fiagman in the center
OF the crossing for the purpose of regulat-
ing the passage Of vehicles and warning
The continuation Of the pianking to in
clude the east sidewalk Of New Jersey ave-
nue. and the attachment of a side arm to
the gate at the northeast corner of the
crossing. This. though necessitating a
change of location Of the watch box and
the removal of some District material.
in the line Of travel, will provide a way
for foot passengers.
In addition to the above recommendations
with respect to crossings / would add the
repair of the planking Of the East South
Capitol streets and the Maryland avenue
crossings at 9Th street as necessary.
Fencing.
With respect to the fencing of this road
would recommend it's resumption and con-
tinuation between the following points,
which will inclose the tracks throughout
when complete:
Resuming where the fencing ceases be-
tween I'd and Sd streets southeast
Its continuation on both sides of the
tracks to the east gate posts Of the I'd street
crossing. North of the tracks here Is the
District OF Columbia property yard and
south of them is an unmproved territory
of public reservations.
Its continuation on both sides Of the
tracks from the west gate posts of the I'd
street crossing to the east gate posts of the
1 street crossing. North of the tracks here
is the District of Columbia property ward
and south of them is unimproved private
property, which Is now being brought to
grade.
Its continuation north Of the tracks from
the west edge Of the planking of the
street crossing to the foot walk of the New
Jersey avenue crossing If laid as suggested
Adjacent to the tracks here is the District
Of Columbia property yard also.
Its continuation north OF the tracks from
the west gate post of New Jersey avenue to
the east gate post of East South CapitoI
street crossing. Adjacent to the tracks here
Is an improved public reservation South Of
the tracks from the west gate post of New
Jersey avenue along the north side Of 7
street, to join the fence south of and in
closing the round house of railroad com
pany. This will prevent ingress to the
property of the railroad company by in
quisitive or careless persons and at the