Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-22
The Eleventh Street Case Before the
Commissioners.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF POLICE COURT TRIAL
An Opinion From the Attorney on
Some interesting Points.
PROPERTY OWNERS PROTEST


ing there would be tried in the Police Court
president and general manager Of the Belt
Railway Company, accused by the police
of obstructing the public streets. This
charge was based upon the action of the
company in maintaining for some days
past an open-air stable at this corner for
the purpose of furnishing relays of horses
to the cars that are run onto o street from
P. by the way Of 18th. Sunday evening the
residents who had been notified to appear
at the court as witnesses were informed by
a note from Lieut.. Teeple, who commands
the second precinct, that they need not
respond to the former summons, the
case had been postponed, and that they
might await further information:
A Change Of Program.
This sudden change of program confused
and mystiet he citizens considerably and
they were at loss to understand why the
case had been postponed. A sergeant of
police was busy during the afternoon Sc
curing evidence to be used in the trial. A
Star reporter visited Lieut.. Teeple this
morning and was informed that the case
had been postponed at the request of Mr..
Sckoepf, who had sent word to him that he
desired to consult with the Commissioners
at II o'clock this morning and so would be
unable to attend TO any engagement which
his attorney might make for him at the
Police Court. When asked if Mr.. Schoepf
had been served with the warrant, Lieut..
Teeple responded that no warrant had been
Issued in the case, as Mr.. Schoepf had ex-
pressed willingness to go to the court
whenever his presence might be needed.
The lieutenant added that the case against
the railroad company, as far as the police
are concerned, must be one of street OBJ
struction while the charge of maintaining
nuisance can only come from the health
office. He could not say whether investi-
cations were being made to cover this end
of the case not.
The neighborhood of 18th and o streets
was visited yesterday by a great many
citizens who are not Immediately resident
in that vicinity.
When the Commissioners met in regular
session this morning at IL o'clock the first
business which came before them was the
question of further permitting the Belt
line railroad to conduct a stable at the
corner of 18th and o streets northwest
against the protest Of the residents and
property owners in that vicinity. 1t has
been the custom of the Commissioners to
have these meetings open. Today, how
ever, the press was excluded from the
board room during the discussion Of the
matter.
Vice President Schoepf and Mr. John
Ridout. the legal representative of the
lexington and Belt lire system, were early
on hand this morning. The property own
ers knew nothing of the special meeting
that had been arranged, and none were
present when the meeting was called to
order. A representative of The Star was
present, however, ready to chronicle the
facts. Vice President Schoepf smiled be-
nignly as he took his position before the
Commissioners, and said that he did rot
care to have the press present at the meet
ing. Whereupon The Star reporter was
politely told by the Mystic Three that his
absence was preferable to his presence.
He protested. but the order Of the Com
missioners must be obeyed. and he with
drew.
Outside of the door Messrs. Hood and
Booraem, who represent the property own
ers, and who are residents and property
owners themselves in that locality. were
waiting. The Star reporter informed them
of the secret meeting that was in progress
and they forthwith made application
through the secretary to be present. Some
time was lost before they were able to
get this message to the Commissioners
The reply came back that they would be
seen and heard in a few minutes.
Again they applied to the Secretary for
permission to be present at the interview.
But Secretary Tindall was loath to again
interrupt the star chamber proceedings, and
1t was only after forcible arguments on the
part of the property holders that he con-
scented to write upon an official card their
wishes. and dispatch it by messenger. Ac-
cording to official time it had up to that
moment taken exactly fourteen minutes
and thirty-four seconds to get this appli-
cation to be present before the Mystics.
From the time the messenger was handed
minutes and ffty-two and half seconds
had slipped by. Meanwhile the attorney
for the lexington and Belt Line railroad
was hustlfng, and the rapid speaking could
be heard outside the closed doors. The two
property holders were at last ushered in,
and the reporter attempted to follow,
but found the door barred by the mes
senger. and consequently stayed out.
Commissioner Ross announced to the gen.
tlemen that the hearing was preliminary
one. for the purpose of enabling the Com
missioners to determine, If possible, upon
some other place for the road to make the
exchange CT horses. because the road itself
desired to make the removal and 1t was a
question with the Commissioners whether
they could give permit to go anywhere
else.
The question was then asked by one of
the property owners whether he might
have the assurance of the Commissioners
that they would remove the horses from
the corner of 18th and o streets, no mat
ter whether another place was determined
upon or not.
Commissioner Truesdell replied that the
Commissioners were not prepared to give
definite answer There were certain
charter rights granted the company al
possibly give them the right to terminate
the road at this point and If so. 1t Is pos
sible they might have the right also to
exchange their horses at this point: These
two questions had been submitted to the
attorney for the District, and when his
opinion was received it would be promptly
acted. upon.
One of the gentlemen suggested that the
opinion was rendered last Saturday, and he
looked inquiringly at the Commissioners, but
he said nothing.
The reporter was informed that an opin-
ion had been rendered, and was in SUBJ
stance against the road declaring that af-
ter careful examination Of the charter of
the road. the attorney was convinced that
it had not the charter rights to make a
terminal at the corner of 11th and o streets
northwest, and that further it had no right
to obstruct the street against the police
regulations.
Commissioner Ross asked how the prop
erty holders were affected by the existing
condition of affairs at 18th and o streets,
and was told that the constant tramping