Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-12
RAILROAD CROSSINGS.
A Subject Over Which Takoma Park
is Aroused.
4 MASS MEETING OF CITIZENS.
One of the Results of Saturdays
Fearful Tragedy.
SOME PROPOSED REFORMS.

The killing of Miss Ethel Conway Curtis
at Takoma on Saturday evening started a
move on part OF the residents Of the Park TO
do away with the dangerous grade crossing
on Carroll avenue. the scene of the recent
tragedy. Carroll avenue is thought by the
citizens Of the Park to be so narrow as to be
dangerous to pedestrians and drivers, who
are obliged to cross the railroad tracks at
the crossing. On this avenue. near the sta
ton, are several stores, the post ONCE and
hotel. 1t is the business center Of the Park
and for that reason the travel there is great
er than at any other point. AS stated in
yesterdays Star, the railroad gates protect
only the roadway and do not cross over the
recently constructed sidewalk. This. it is
thought. was the real cause Of Saturdays
tragedy.
number OF narrow escapes at this cross
ing have been witnessed during the past few
years. Judge Miller is among those who
have come near losing their lives. as was
also Col. Kniffin and Mrs. r. s. Brown.
Most of the hair-breadth escapes have been
caused by passengers attempting to cross
the south-bound track just after alighting
from a local train from the city.
A Meeting of CIti.ens.
Since the killing Of Miss Curtis the affair
has been discussed to such an extent that
last night the citizens OF the Park met in
mass meeting in Trinity Church and took
steps looking toward providing something
other than the murderous grade crossing
which has come near bringing sorrow to the
hearts of many families in the Park.
More than two dozen citizens responded to
the call issued yesterday. as published in
The Star. and Judge Miller was chosen as
the presiding officer. while Col Heaton was
selected to act as secretary.
In opening the meeting Judge Miller called
attention to the killing of Miss Curtis,
which. he said, only more plainly empha-
sized the necessity OF some action to pre-
vent, II possible, the recurrence of such a
tragedy.
1t was unnecessary. he said, for him to
go into detail. as the sad tidings had been
conveyed to every home in the Park.
A Resolution offered.
Col. kniftin also spoke OF the tragedy and
said he desired to offer the following:
Resolved. That the citizens Of Takoma
Park heartily indorse the Recommendation
of the coroner's jury relating to the con-
finement OF the duties OF the gatekeeper to
warning pedestrians and the drivers of We
extending the arms Of the gates across the
sidewalks on both sides of the railroad
track. and that the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road be requested to carry the recommenda-
lions into effect"
Col. kniffin made a few remarks in yup-
port of his resolution.
In Behalf OF the Railroad.
He was followed by Mr. William Alvey,
general superintendent OF the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad in this section of the country
Mr.. Alvey is resident OF the Park. and he
said that the officials of the road as well
as himself, deplore the accident The COM
pany, he said. is thoroughly in accord with
| the wishes of the citizens and will certainly
do all in its power to do what is right. The
company, he said, is anxious to carry out
the recommendations of the coroner's Jury,
as printed in yesterdays Star. So far as
the gateman Is concerned, he said, his or
derS are to take his position near the rear
end Of the west-bound trains when they
stop, II he can do So and prevent persons
from going across the track until it is GER
tain that the track is clear. AS soon as
possible, he says, the company will! comply
with the recommendations Of the coroner's
jury.
Col. Kniffin said he was at the station
Saturday evening, and he saw the gateman
assisting in unloading a large lounge. In
deed. If he had seen him doing anything
other than unload the freight he would
| have been surprised. He thought that a
porter should be employed to attend to
such work.
| Mr.. Maris said he thought the street was
too narrow for business purposes, and it
was a detriment to the park, as we'll as
dangerous. He thought it about time to
abolish the grade crossing. Mr. Maris was
about to proceed to tell something about
| the dangerous grade crossing when Rev.
DR.. Girl III, pastor of the church, said
that that matter would be mentioned in
another resolution.
| The resolution offered by Col. Kniffin was
| thereupon adopted unanimously.
A Proposed Under-Grade Crossing.
| DIR. Griffith then said he had prepared a
resolution which provided. not only for do
| ing away with the dangerous crossing but
| for making an improvement to the park.
| He referred to the opening Of Holly avenue,
| and presented the following:
Whereas the tracks of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company run directly
| through Takoma Park in such manner as
to compel a large majority of the citizens
to cross and recross them frequently every
day to reach the post office, electric cars
&c, and whereas a large number of the
| children of said citizens are also compelled
to cross said tracks in order TO attend
school, and whereas the great danger to
! which We are daily exposed in having to
cross the railroad at grade has been forci-
| bly, impressed upon us and the citizens OF
Washington by the dreadful and shocking
death of Miss Curtis at Takoma Park sta
ton Saturday evening last. and mas
much as a convenient and satisfactory un-
dergrade crossing be constructed al
| small expense necessitating elevation
| of the said tracks above their present
grade, by the opening of Holly avenue from
| its intersection with Magnolia avenue tC
Blair avenue, in the District of Columbia
| therefore we the citizens of Takoma Park
do most earnestly urge the honorable Com
missioners of the District of Columbia to
take action concerning the opening of said
street for the distance above stated at the
earliest possible date"
This brought the grade-crossing question
| squarely before the meeting, and Judge
| Miller said what was wanted was a safe
| conduit between the two parts of the park
and he said, I'VE are willing to walk
underground to get there
| He thought Mr.. Griffith's move was In
the right direction.
| 1t was explained that the railroad is ele
| waited at this point, and that the work OF
building culvert and opening the avenue
would involve but little expense. The LAND
! can be condemned by the District and II
| was thought that the railroad company
| would erect the stone walk beside the
| opening beneath the tracks.
| DR.. Griffith explained that the opening OF
| this avenue would mean to connect with
| the terminus of the electric car line. Their
| he said. mothers could send their children
across the railroad without fear of danger
The resolution was adopted.
| A committee, composed of the chairman
Judge Miller Capt. Thomas Lay and ]. r
! Kinnear, was appointed to wait upon the
| Commissioners and ask their cO-operatior