The Washington times., 1894-10-18
TRACKS SHOULD Be FENCED
Uninclosed Portions Along the B. and
p. II. II. Are Dangerous.
CROSSINGS IN GOOD REPAIR
General Inspector Beggs Submits Report to
Commissioner Powell - All Crossings
Equipped With -RecOmmenda-
tions Presented for Adoption.

General Inspector E. G. Beggs recently
made an inspection of the Baltimore and
Potomac Railway tracks within the city lin
its. and submitted his report 10 Commissioner
Powell yesterday. He says the tracks and
switches throughout the line between street
intersections and the fencing Of inclosed por-
tons are generally in good condition. Cross
ings at street intersections are in most cases
in a good state OF repair, and where needed
repairs are in progress. All crossings are
equipped with gatemen, either for the whole
OF the tWenty-four hours or between the hours
Of a. m. and $50 p. m, and list of the
places, respectively, where complete and par
tial service is rendered is given, with all
crossings fully protected and manned and
minor improvements completed. Mr.. BegGs
is Of the opinion that the future require
ments as To safety and convenience Will be
fully met. The report continues:
The necessity for fencing the uninclosed
portions Of these tracks is obvious 10 the most
casual observer. and il this were done there IS
no question that those portions of the read.
passing through thicEly populated localities as
they do. would be relieved Of much OF their
dangerous character. As it is now, persons
may be seen crossing the tracks at any point,
and children everywhere playing close hy or
upon them Nothing, however, has been done
since uy report en- this subject, except the
fencing Of the tracks on Virginia avenue be-
tween Sixth and Seventh streets southwest.
PROTECTION To LIFE AND LnIB.
The fencing of the piece OF road on Mary
land avenue between Sixth and Seventh
streets southwest, which heretofore has been
considered impractIcable. has, in the absence
OF other provision, become a necessity, and
believing the protection 10 life ana liGlb
which will be afforded by thus inclCs!ng it
will more than compensate for any inconyen-
fence TO which the residents OF the street may
be put. 1 have no hesitancy in saying 1t
should be done
A com lete list Of the lamps. with the loca-
ton Of each. for Lighting corners and cross
iugs is also given. and the report closes with
the following recommendations:
That the roadway space Of the north side
Of the New jersey avenue southeast crossing,
between the tracks and the end OF the New
Jersey pavement, be leyeled up with dry bal
last
THAT the switch crossing the sidewalk Of
Half street into MariOws wood and coal yard
be baIiasted 10 a level with the top OF the
rails
That an additional gateman be stationed
at Sixth street and Virginia avenue southwest
crossing during the day time.
"Tha, an arm be attached to the single gate
At the Maryland avenue ana Sixth street south
west crossing. to cover the north roadway Of
Maryland avenue.
THAT safety gates be erected at the Thir-
teenrh street crossing Of the Richmond and
Danyille tracks.
That the fencing to be done shall include
all OF tn straight track and TO stop at a point
in front OF No. GA Maryland avenue south
west, in addition 10 the piece OF track on
Maryland avenue above noted.
THAT the plank IoOtTGlk on the north side
Of the New Jersey avenue crossing be ex-
tended in line with the east sidewalk of New
Jersey avenue across the switch leading INTO
the wareroom of Barber i loss.
The present lighting of the tracks the in
specUOr thinks sufficient.
Referring to the requirements Of gatemen.
Inspector BegGs says:
GATE1IEN HAVE TOO MUCH TO DO.
''These men are charged with the duty Of
lowering and raising these gates as occasion
IeQ uires, which varies materially. according
10 local conditions and traffic over the road.
At points whore trains are being made up
and the constant shifting o 4 cars is going on
or where the road CAerg.s, as is the case at
the Sixth street crossing OF MARYLAND and
Virginia avenues, the duties Of gatemen are
necessarily more arduOus and require
+ greater Hall- alA Ni-4.1lCc. moreover. as
was seen IN regard to these TWO crossings, on
account oi this disadvantage ia local position.
it has been necessary 10 provide them with
greater protective facilities. so that each
have. respectively. two or three separate sets
OF gates. and still there is wanting additional
protection or the same kind at the Sixth
street crossing of Maryland avenue.
These considerations, and the fact that
only one gatemaa is employed at many
points, admit OF but one conclusion. viz:
There must be constant danger OF accident at
these crossings, and admitting that they are
subjected 10 travel in even the slightest de-
gree, bat one question presents itself for de-
.i5iOn Have these men too much TO do 10
properly guard these crossings? The answer
is they have, and the fact that they have thus
far so successfully averted accident is a high
tribute to their vigilance. skill and Judgment.
Il desire TO note in ibis connection, in view
of the fact that Thirteenth street southwest is
the outlet for much Of the traffic OF Water
street, the necessity Of providing some protec-
ton Tor tile Richmond and Danville tracks
Where they cross taat street into their storage
yards. These tracks are occupied conttn-
uous.y during the day and there IS every
possibility of accident.