Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-15
GRADE CROSSINGS
The Subject Discussed Before the
House District Subcommittee.
CITIZENS PRESENT THEIR SIDE
Attorneys for the Railroad Com
pany Defend Their Client.
T II E l. E G A L S T A T U S

The question of railroad grade crossings
In the District was discussed ct a meeting
OF the House District subcommittee this
morning, and preliminary action was taken
toward further consideration Of this SUBJ
ject. The Northeast Washington Citizens
Association. through its subcommittee,
Messrs. Frizzell and Tucker, Father Giles
pie and Rev. b. NJ. Seymour, was present.
and Mr.. w. c. Dodge was also present
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. which is the defendant in the fight
being made by the Citizens Association,
was represented by it's attorneys, Mr..
Hamilton and Gen. w. w. Dudley. Mr..
Tucker opened the debate by reading the
report Of the committee of the Northeast
Citizens Association upon grade crossings,
which has been heretofore published in
The Star. Father Gillespie said he wished
to appeal to the committee in the name of
humanity; that there had been many
dreadful accidents at grade crossings, and
he represented to the members of the COM
mittee their personal responsibility in per-
mitting condition of things which would
dash human souls into eternity without a
moments warning.
| Rev. Mr.. Seymour said that 400 trains a
day pass over the road. There have been
many accidents which have never been
stated in the newspapers.
Number Killed and Injured.
Mr.. Dodge said that since 1873 twenty
four people have been killed and seventy
nine injured at Baltimore and Ohio grade
crossings. and since 1872 there have been
thirty-three killed and 1O1 wounded at
Pennsylvania railroad grade crossings.
Mr.. Frizzell spoke Of the delay caused by
| the railroad company In bettering its ter
minal facilities and abolishing grade cross
ings. He said that the Washington branch
I dxatn nr<~l 2sxvsl l,,
in six months operations. The company
should build depot. The railroad COM
pany knows that the present depot is a dis
grace to the city, blemish upon the ma
| tional capital.
| When they bring their tracks in on a
viaduct, they can build a handsome depot
on New Jersey avenue between and c
streets North Capitol street is now OBJ
structed by the road. 1t cannot be obviated
now, but it would be when the tracks are
elevated. The daily papers of this city are
with us on this point. The papers TEEN
with articles relating to the subject. He
read an editorial from The Evening Star
setting forth the condition of affairs Mr.
F'rizzell then presented the petition of the
citizens supporting the bill prepared by the
Northeast Washington Association. This
Dill has been published in The Star.
As to Submerged Tracks.
Gen. Dudley asked if the plan thus pre-
sented was intended to commit the signers
against any plan involving submerged
tracks. Mr.. Frizxell answered that the lat
Lter plan. was impossible, to which Gen
Dudley replied that he did not admit any
such thing.
Mr.. Frizzell said that the people of the
section Of the city are so much incenseo
and SO outraged that a proposition made to
tear up the tracks by mob was only pre-
vented with difficulty a short time ago.
Mr.. Hamilton said that some of the state
ments made are inaccurate. when the
baltimore and Ohio railroad entered the
city of Washington the grade was fixed by
law, and We can neither attempt to elevate
nor lower our tracks. The Commissioners
say that the grade is fixed by law and they
lawful occupant of the streets. do not saw
this as an argument in favor of grade cross
ings. do not contend that grade crossings
are are tne pest form OF entering city, AS to
the cry raised against the company of
dreadful accidents, he said that within
Twelve years there has been but one tudg-
ment against the company for a grade
crossing accident. He did not see why the
warfare against grade crossings shoui5 hs
waged solely on the Baltimore and Ohio and
by the people of one section. Mr. Hamilton
said that the newspapers Of this city are
not subsidized by the railroads He does
not believe that Washington papers could
be subsidized. Extracts from the papers
Will show that the papers criticise the BaIti
freely.
Every Plan Objected to.
I'VE are accused Of procrastination here
There has never been a proposition to
| change our system that has not met with
opposition The citizens Of Washington
think one year that they want one thing
and the next year they want another Every
plan that I'VE have broached has been oh
jected to. W.
grave question is brought up when YOU
consider a proposition for a raised yiadnct
subject. One point of discussion has been
whether the loop system or the stub system
should be accepted. Much more business
can be accommodated on the loop system
than on the stub. II we get a bill through
now giving us four tracks it might be found
that we still would not have enough room
and We would have to ask for more
The b. and o. is a lawful entity in the
city. The road has charter which does not
expire until 1910. 1t is conceded that Con-
gress has the right Of eminent domain bur
1t cannot interfere with the company other
wise. Congress can only make these Changes
by the exercise of the right of eminent do
main or with the consent of the COMPANY
Ihere IS positive contract with the COM
pany that they shall stay there until 1910
We are not transgressors. We are fixed by
law.
Want to Better the Terminal Ficilf-
ties.
There is a desire on the part Of the b. and
o. to better their terminal facilities in the
District and to do away with grade cross
ings. but 1t is serious question. The action
should be well considered. however, and not
hurried. The B. and o. wishes to come be-
fore Congress as soon they can prepare
their plans. and when they do that they will
have definite plans to provide a system for
all time to come.
The plan proposed by the Northeast Citi-
zens Association requires us to spend
$3,OOO.OOO within three years. This is asked
at q time, too. when business is at .ts low
est ebb. That provision is not practical
The corporation has the right OF a citizen
in this matter. There are many defects in
the bill.
One fact should be determined before the
committee goes any further, and that is
what is the best plan for terminal facilities,
best for the public well as for the com
pany? This question should be understood
before this ma tier can be intelligen:ly con-
sidered or acted upon. The views of engi-
neers should be obtained to this plan
A Pertinent Question.
Mr. Heard said that Of course no bill
would be reported without due considera-
ton, but as a general proposition is it not
true that some change should be made
In the present system?
Mr.. Hamilton said that the company
does not defend grade crossings, and is
willing to take up the matter of a change