Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-28
A G A N S 7 A Bill L
Some Vigorous Protests Against Proposed
Belt Line Changes
Opposition to the Use of NJ Street and
to Changes In South WASH
fngt0A.

CoutH w dbHlIlS tOu cUtcESu d NISOTOuS pIO-
test this afternoon against the enactment
Of the Belt Line railroad along the follow
ing portions Of the present road: On E
street between 9th and 18th streets north
west; Louisiana avenue from 9th to 10th
streets; the tracks as now laid from 9th
street southwest; from sth and c streets
southwest. along c street and Maryland
avenue to Sd street west. and also along 9
and P streets between New Jersey avenue
and 18th street northwest.
This protest was made at the public hear
ing given by the Commissioners this after
noon, and there was no mistaking its ear
nestness. large number Of the representa-
tive citizens, taxpayers and business men
were present at the hearing and they did
not hesitate to speak up for the rights OF
South Washington.
The meeting was called for o'clock and
was held in the board room. Commissioner
Ross. after the bill had been read, explain
ed that the opposition would first be heard.
Mr. Ed J. Hannah chairman Of the com
mittee of seven of the committee of citizens
which met yesterday afternoon to discuss
the matter of extension. was the first to
speak. He stated the delegation he repre-
scented came from NJ street northwest, and
his remarks would be against the occupa-
ton Of that street from 4th to 26th in &C.
cordance with that portion Of the bill which
provided for the extension Of the road
along that street
The bill, 1t will be recalled, provided for
the following extension:
From Maryland avenue and Sd street
southwest. south along Sd street to street
southwest. west on d street to Sth street,
north on Sth street to G. street, to intersect
the present tracks Of the company 1t Is
also proposed to extend a lire from 9th and
. streets southwest, south on ID street to
Water street, and thence along Water
street to P street
He argued that NJ street was a narrow
street, being only thirty-two feet wide from
curp to curb. and utterly unsuited for rail-
ROAD purposes. 1t would be death trap at
l4tn street. and would greatly depreciate
property. as well as menace life to those
VINO were forced to use the street He be-
ueVeo another and more suitable route could
DC rouho that would answer all purposes.
vigorous Protest.
Mr.. N. H. Shea, representing a large
number Of the residents and property hold
ers of South Washington, presented the
following petition:
I'VE. the undersigned, residents and
property owners along and near 18th street
between South B and Water streets earn.
estly protest against the removal of the
Belt line tracks between Water street and
center Market, and for the following rea-
sots:
Since the said tracks were laid large
sums OF money have been expended be-
cause OF the transportation facilities thus
AFFORDED. One of the most recent Of such
improvements was made by Mr. George
Harvey, who has spent not less than 800
900 In the erection Of a block Of houses at
the corner OF 18th street and MARYLAND
avenue.
This line. as SO laid. is the only street
car route west Of It'll street and south of
B street. BY which We can reach the mar
h1Gtn
all the more indispensable because our
wives and daughters. having occa sion to be
uptown after night fall. cannot walk home
over the public mall with any degree of
to cross the mall alone at night
But further than this, a great many per-
sons now use this road to reach the oys-
Ter and fish wharves, the ice companies
oi11ces and the other business places along
Water street. Three ice companies have
their large warehouses on Water street
and the 18th street line furnishes the only
street car facilities for reaching them
III. men: TOO, this Is the only means of access
We have to the steamboat wharves without
going to the cable line on 9Th street
The proposed location of the road on Sth
street would add little or nothing to our
street car facilities. because of the prox-
unity Of that street to the cable line II
we are compelled to go as far east as sth
street, we might as well 60 one square
farther to the cable cars.
wherefore, ana because the prOOOSed
removal of the line between the market ard
Water street. as now rum would be ruinous
to our property interests and most ircon-
in every way, we earnestly beg that
you Will advise against the passage of SEN
ate bills Nos. 1890 and 1881, referred to
you for recommendation"
Wants Time.
Mr.. John w. Morris made a vigorous
speech against the extension of the road.
The demands Of the public he said should
first be considered in matters of this kird.
AS 1t was. there was absolutely no neces-
sity for the extension of the road, as con-
templated, and IL by any chance II were al
lowed to occupy NJ street. it would not only
be a dissertation, but a demolition of che
OF the best residence streets In the CITY
He asked for little time in which to pre-
sent a petition from the property owners
along NJ street protesting against the road
which was granted. The hearing was still
In progress when The Stars report closed