Evening star., 1896-12-14
THE GRADE CROSSINGS
Explanation of the Figures in Mr.. Browns
Recent Interview.
Peculiar Topography of South Wash
inEtOn-What President Ingalls,
of the C.. and o. Says.

In printing the recent grade-croSS1n8S IN
terview with Engineer Brown of the Penn
sylvania railroad the figures concerning the
depressions proposed by the railroad COM
paHy and the Commissioners, respectively
were transposed in part of the report, and
this mistake has caused some confusion
among citizens interested in the grade
crossings problem as to the exact position
now assumed by the Pennsylvania railroad.
though other parts of the interview indi-
rectly corrected the transposition.
Commissioner Powell proposes a depres-
sion to plus seven feet above the datum
line Engineer Brown declares that depres-
sion to tie three feet lower than necessary
or proper, in view of the dangers of flood
in Washington" and proposes that the
tracks be sunk to plus ten feet above the
datum line. The depression suggested by
the railroad company now is precisely the
same as that advocated by it last year.
There has been no change whatsoever In its
position.
The fresh matter in the railroad COM
pany's statement of this year urges objec-
tions to the elevated track proposition, al
ieg1ng that the road could not get on an
elevated track at the tunnel. 1--WE could
go, Engineer Brown said under 5th 4th
and Sd streets southeast but would have
TO cross New Jersey avenue at grade where
1t does today. We could go over South
Capitol street. Delaware avenue, I'd, Az
and 9th streets southwest and get into the
station with elevated tracks, but in going
out of town to the south it would be i'm
practicable to get either over or under 7th
eth 10th, 11th and 18th streets southwest
without sinking those streets from five to
seventeen feet. which would make a miser-
able hole at each place that the people of
Washington could not possibly be expected
to endure with patience.
Another and very serious objection to
al fod in No oh
is the fact that we could not have freight
station any place in the city except north
of the tunnel and south of 18th street. be-
cause the grade would be too high for
freight purposes"
South Washington Topography.
Those who favor an elevated road in
South Washington point out that when the
citizens were contending for depressed
tracks there the railroad successfully re-
sisted on the ground that the topography
rendered the scheme impracticable claim
ing that depressed tracks could not be
brought into proper relation to elevated
approaches to Long bridge. Now, when the
elevated road project is urged by citizens
and District officials the road finds that
the topography also forbds that form OF
South Washington 1t appears,
being Of that extraordinary conformation
which renders impossible either elevation
or real depression Of the tracks.
Mr. NJ. E. ingalls,, president of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio and Big Four Railroad
Companies. who, as heretofore stated in
The Star, is taking much interest in the
matter of the erection of a new union sta
tion and the elimination of grade crossings
from the streets here, expects to be in
Washington Wednesday. from which time
the project is expected to develop addi-
rional activity.
TO Star reporter who talked with Mr.
ingalls, at his office in Cincinnati Saturday
the latter expressed his belief that the
Iumor was not correct that the Penasyl-
vania Railroad Company was insincere in
protesting to want to unite with the Ches-
apeake and Ohio and Southern Railway
Companies in affording adequate railroad
facilities so far as the three compa MES are
concerned for the travelling public who ar
rive in and depart from Washington.
Continuing, Mr.. Ingalls, said that he did
rot believe that the Pennsylvania wants 10
throw any obstacles in the way of the
construction of the Improvement and that
what seemed to be an effort for DELAY of
action by Congress was merely the taking
OF steps which they believed necessary to
enable everything to be done In legal and
careful manner
Pennsylvania's Promfses
AS an evidence that the PENNSYLVANIA
people We're, In his judgment. thoroughly in
earnest In the matter. Mr.. ingalls, state i
as the fact that the former had promised
companies to lay an additional track he
tween the south end of the Long Bridge
ana Alexandria. there now being but a
single track between those points; and the
pennsylvania, through Mr.. Roberts. also
promised, Mr.. Ingalls, said, to build a doubJe
track bridge across the Potomac river
al otner prominent official Of the Chesa
peake and Ohio road said ii wa. almos,
absurd to think that the present arrsnge
ments for handling passengers at the Pal
timore and Potomac depot in Washine
ton could continue much longer ..The
idea, said he "of handling people In these
times on the street, which has to be done
there every time there Is big event at the
national capital. Such a state of AFFAIRS
does not exist in any other large city in
The United States. it, indeed in the world /"
mas taken a great interest in pushing the
enterprise wrote letter about week
ago to President Roberts of the Pennsyl-
NhLia urging him to do all he could to
hasten the preparations for the new depot
but up TO noon today had received no reply
either from Mr.. Roberts, who has been
sick for some time, or Vice President
Thomson. who. during Mr.. Royerts' ab-
sence rom his office, is acting president
but call for a meeting of the Senate com
mittee on the District Of Columbia has. il
Is stated, been made for Wednesday at
which time. 1t is thoI ght, the question of
the proposed terminal changes will come
before that body.