Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-05
DEPRESSING TRACKS
Commissioners Considering the Penn
sylvania Railroad Situation.
STILL DESIRE ELEVATED SYSTEM
Necessity for Police Protection for
the County.
TIER LOCAL OTES

There is every reason to believe that the
Commissioners will recommend to Con-
gress a bill having for it's object the de-
| preston of the tracks of the Pennsylvania
railroad and the obliteration of grade
crossings.
In fact such action has virtually been de-
cided upon. The Commissioners at least
majority of them, prefer an elevated sys-
tenn, and Capt. Fiebeger, who has the d.
rect charge Of such matters is already on
record as favoring such plan.
But there are obstacles in the way The
Pennsylvania Railroad Company does not
want an elevated structure, and the Com
missioners understand the railroads influ-
ence in Congress. Some weeks ago it was
thought that the railroad would acquiesce
| in the views of the authorities and agree to
bring it's trains into the city over an ele-
waited structure. The Interview between
Major Powell and Chief Engineer Brown of
the railroad, however, blasted all those hopes
Engineer Brown stated in unmistakable
terms that the Pennsylvania railroad would
change in its system Which involved an
elevated structure. But half loaf is
better than no loaf at all, and now the
railroad company and the Commissioners
are trying with might and main 20 bring
about a compromise More properly speak
ing, it is the Commissioners That are hop
Ing for compromise.
The railroad company has submitted an
other plan, somewhat different from the
one discussed on February Ii, descrip-
ton of which was printed at the time in
from what the Commissioners desire, and
as stated above the authorities are st-ug
Cling for a compromise.
One Of the arguments advanced by the
railroad company against an elevated sys-
tenn is that such an arrangement would de-
stroy its yards and entail large expense up
on 1t. The Commissioners take little stock
in this argument. They believe that an
elevated structure is not only desirable, but
| perfectly feasible. Comparing the needs of
the public with both systems, the arguments
In favor of an elevated system are consid-
cred far greater than any that could be adj
vanced for such a system Of depressed
tracks as the railroad company proposes
1T is misnomer," said one of the Com
missloners today to reporter of The Star,
| In discussing the plans of the railroad, Ito
call 1t a depressed system. It's nothing of
| the sort Why, the railroad maintains that
It requires twenty feet to operate it's road.
Ihat Is, twenty feet are required between
| the surface of the tracks and the floor of the
bridge with which it is proposed to span the
tracks at each street intersection Grant
ing TINS to be SO, why is it not proper for the
road to depress its tracks ten feet where
the situation calls for the highest bridge?
Ihis would only require a bridge ten feet
above the sidewalk, and reduce the damage
| to the streets and adjacent property What
ever is done, the Commissioners viii insist
| upon bridges the least possible height from
| the sidewalk
Meanwhile, conferences between Major
Powell and Captain Fiebeger are going on
the object being to establish some uniform
| grade and submit it to the railroad for ap-
| proVal. When at length the Commits sioners
| nave decided upon the proper grade an
other conference will be held with Engineer
Brown.
This afternoon the committee on streets
OF the BOARD OF trade. consisting of Messrs
NJ. NJ
upon the Commissioners to discuss the rail-
road situation and examine the plans of the
| railroad in order to understand what effect
| the plans would have upon the streets of
| South Washington. They were greatly sur
Prlsed when the plans We're exhibited and
did not seem pleased with the prospect
One-Horse Cars.
Inc commissioners today issued the fol-
ioWiEg notice to the Anacostia Railroad
Company:
The running of 'two-horse cars each
car to be under the charge of conductor
not acting as driver, instead Of 'one-horse
cars without conductors on the line of
the Anacostia and Potomac River Railroad
company from Anacostia to 9th street
Washington, being deemed necessary for
the public needs, it Is ordered that the
president of the said railroad company is
requested TO show cause, if any, on or be-
lore the 1th instant why an order should
not issue requiring the discontinuance of
one-horSe cars on said line"
Appointed Laborer.
George Lawrence has been appointed la
borer in the Commissioners office at s3f5
per year.
Douglass School Building.
The time for completing the Douglass
School building has been extended to three
months.
Better Police Protection.
Relative to the petition of the North
Capitol and lexington Citizens Associa-
ton for Increased fire and police protec-
ton at lexington, the Commissioners to-
day forwarded the following reports of
Lieut.. GeSSford and Maj. Moore:
Il fully concur in the wishes of the North
Capitol and lexington Citizens Associa-
ton. All that is said is a positive fact.
the county north Of the city. 1 would most
respectfully suggest that the call-box for
R street and North Capitol be placed at T
street and North Capitol street. 1 am in
great hopes to fill up the county, so that
we will have no more complaints"
Maj. Moore then says: 81 regret that the
request of the North Capitol and Ecking-
ton Citizens Association cannot at present.
be complied with, but trust that such an
increase of the force will be granted by
Congress as will enable me to place on
duty at lexington three more policemen
for the better protection Of it's citizens.
The appropriation for the current year of
1900 for the extension of the police patrol
service and fire-alarm telegraph to SUBJ
urbs and city is under the direction of the
superintendent of the telegraph and tele-
phone service. So far no part of this ap-
preparation has been expended for addi-
tional patrol boxes, and I therefore sug-
gest that the attention of Superintendent
Miles be called to the foregoing recon-
incubation Of Lieut.. Gessford, and also to
the necessity Of placing boxes where they
are most urgently needed in the county
portion Of the District"
District Notes.
The Commissioners have removed Pri-
vate George N. Nicholson from the metro
politan police force.
The Commissioners have invited the
board Of trade to express it's views upon
Senate bill 1925, authorizing a special cleo
ton to be held by the citizens of the Dis
trct of Columbia to determine whether
there shalt be established in it's place a
representative form of government.
Prof. s. P. Langley has been invited by
the Com missioners to express his views
upon the bill to incorporate the Mount
Pleasant and Zoo railroad.
James j. Coyle has been appointed a
private in the fire department.
Lights Ordered.
The Commissioners today ordered that