Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-30
NO MORE GRADE CROSSINGS
Why the Board of Trade Opposes the
Terminal Railroad Plan.
Action I'm Pursuance of a Settled
Tracks and Grade Crossings.

H. H. oZoc, enttled "A Dill TO incorporate
the Washington and Georgetown Terminal
Railroad Company" The resolution cited
that since its organization the board of
trade had uniformly opposed the further
extension at grade Of steam railroads over
and along the streets and avenues OF the
city OF Washington and had recommended
that all steam railroads coming in the city
should enter above or below grade and that
til existing surface tracks should be sunk
or raised where practicable The resolu-
| tons also showed that the passage of such
"a bill would allow the construction of a
road that would incumber at grade more
than one mile of city streets, about twenty
four crossings and would seriously inter-
fere with and impede all traffic by way of
the Potomac river. After showing how
greatly detrimental the passage of the bill
would be to the best interests Of Washing
ton and how II would further aggravate the
evils arising from the maintenance within
the city of steam railroads at grade, 1t was
resolved that the board would in all proper
ways and upon all suitable occasions pro-
test against. oppose and resist favorable
action upon the BILL both in the congression-
al committees and the two houses of Con-
gress.
What the Committee Said.
In submitting these resolutions to the
board the committee on railroads reported
that in it's opposition to the location of
steam railroad tracks at grade the board
OF trade reflected very decided sentiment
of the community.
This opposition" said the report has
found frequent and vehement expression in
public meetings and through the columns
of the daily press, and has been directed
not alone to projected and immatured en-
terprises, but to existing and old establish
ed lines Of railways within the District of
Columbia With the annually augmenting
list OF casualties resulting from the oper-
alton of steam railroads at grade, this SEN
timent has steadily increased in volume
and in force until 1t will now be satisfied
with little less than the immediate reioca-
ton Of existing steam lines at such eleva-
ton above or at such depression below the
grade or streets as shall insure absolute
safety to the lives and limbs of citizens
The project now under consideration is
peculiarly obnoxious to this sentiment The
section of Water street which 1t is pro-
posed to occupy is lined by the principal
wharves, warehouses and business estab-
lishments of the city. 1t Is here that we
find the most available part of the city's
limited water front. The uninterrupted use
| OF the street throughout the length propos-
ed to be appropriated for these tracks is
absolutely essential to the proper conduct
of the business to which it Is now devoted
The presence of rapidly moving or of
starding and shifting trains Of freight cars
or the length usually demanded for the
purpose OF through transportation could
not fall to prove serious impeachment to
the transaction of business as well as a
constant menace to the lives and limbs
of employees, and to teams engaged In the
necessary work of hauling merchandise
over and across the street. The objection
to the occupation of X street at grade is
hardly less grave. Business might be less
otstructed than on Water street, but the
menace to citizens lives and limbs is no
less.
AT the time when the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company yielding to pres
sure of an enlightened public opinion on
this point. stands pledged to the elevation
or Its tracks. and is taking the initial step
in that direction. 1t seems to your COM
mittee that to permit the introduction of
further steam railroads at grade within
the District Of Columbia without protest.
and the opposition of every legitimate
effort at self-protection, would be not only
to abdicate. but to betray the trust which
has been confided to its members by their
fellow citizens of the board of trade.
| A Welcome to Railroads.
'1t would seem to be needless to add to
| this report the assurance that this COM
mittee heartily favors the introduction of
| railway facilities within the District of
| Columbia. Municipal progress and indi-
vidual welfare are alike promoted by the
| judicious enlargement of such facilities.
Their construction, however. must be made
| to consist with the integrity Of private
property and the protection of individual
| life and limb.
This requirement has led. in recent times
to the enforced elevation above the road
| grade, or depression below 1t, of steam rail-
| road tracks in the large cities on the east
| ern seaboard, and imposes a particular
| obligation In this direction upon the guard
/ ians of the nations capital. Here, even
| more than elsewhere. ii is incumbent upon
| the municipal authorities to exercise a
/ president and thoroughly enlightened judg-
| ment Whatsoever is wrought here is of
| national importance. and may be said to be
/ extra territorial
| woe. The objection which raises a steam
| track above grade, or depresses IT below
grade. in Baltimore. Philadelphia New
/ York obtains with tenfold force where re-
gard must be had to the conservation of
aesthetic features. less than the BUSH
I ness interests, tn behalf of the millions
yet unborn Of our count-y's population. 1t
| cannot be urged with justice that the re-
/ quirement is peculiarly onerous and to tina
| extent proscriptive.
| The additional expenditure which is in
volved will be amply compensated by the
| resulting immunity from accidents, and
| consequent claims for damages. Besides 1t
| Is a first cost only, and must, in the nature
| OF things. be speedily reimbursed from the
| p-ofits of the road The opposition, there
fore. Of your committee to the measure
| In question Is based altogether upon the
| proposed construction of the tracks at
grade II Its projectors will modify their
| proposal and elevate the tracks upon Water
| and X streets so as not to interfere with
| surface traffic, the objection urged by your
| committee will be conciliated"
| The Policy of the Board.
The board Of trade representing the citi-
zens Of Washington. has, from the start.
| taken a firm and unmistakable position in
| opposition to surface tracks and grade
| crossings, favoring legislation that would
| remove the grade crossing evils already
| existing.and opposing all propositions look
| ing to a multiplication of such evils.
| Mr.. Myron NJ. Parker as president of
| the board, in his first annual report made
/ IN November, 1890, declared the general
| policy of the board. in relation to this mat
| ter. and subsequent action has been con-
| sistent with the principles then enunciated.
| The first formal action of the board 4"
says this report by President Parker, re-
| ferr1ng to controversies raised during the
| year. consisted in the adoption of q reso-
| luton declaring 1t to be the boards policy
| to urge the requirement that steam rail-
| roads, hereafter. coming into the city.
| should enter above or below grade and
| that all existing surface tracks should be
/ sunk below. raised above, the grade
| wherever practicable" At subsequent
| meeting, Mr.. Parker said, a report was
| made condemning the Atkinson Pennsyl-
| vania railroad bill, and declaring that
! whatever else might fail to be accomplish
| ed, the obstruction and danger of the belt
| of surface tracks should be removed" Con-
| GLIDING mis- remarks this subject Mr..
| Parker said:
| Public support of the principles advocat-
ed by the board of trade in dealing with
the railroads is indicated by the signing of
| a petition TO Congress, subStan TALLY setting
| forth these principles by 1900 representa-
| tive people of the District. II is hoped that
| the city may secure in the near future an