Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-24
The Grade Crossings Bill.

Senator McMiilan's bill introduced yester-
day opens up for consideration the condi-
tions surrounding the tracks of the Balti-
more and Potomac railroad and the sug-
ges:ed remedies for the evils of its surface
occupation OF the streets. The ideal soiu-
ton of the problem fIcm Washington's
point of view would be to bring this rail-
road and all others which cross the Poto-
mac over that river on the upper story of
a new double-deckeE ign bridge, thence
upon a Berlin elevated vladuct of masonry
across the reclaimed flats up Maryland
avenue. across a strip of the Mall west of
9TH street to fine STATEN like those of Lon
don. fronting upon and ornamenting Penn
sylvania avenue. Such a solution would
satisfactorily dispose of every evil of which
there is just cause of complaint; but fail
ing to secure this approximately perfect
arrangement the nearest practical approach
to it must be attained The grade-crossings
must go. Long bridge must 60 And de-
vices far short of perfection which accom-
plish these explosions Will be acceptable to
the community.
The Star will hereafter discuss in detail
the bridge and depressed track propositions
of the pending dill, when a more thorough
examination of the plars has been made
The most serious obstacle to an agreement
between corporation and municipality con-
corning the proposed improvements is the
difference of opinion as to how the cost of
the work Is to be borne. Washington Is
anxious for the removal of the grade
crossings and its opposition to the payment
Of any large sum of money in connection
Herewith is due not alone to the belief
that Just business principles exempt It,
put to the conviction that there could
orin
success of the proposed bill in the
present Congress. than the fact that
1t involved large appropriation from the
District revenues. upon which the demands
already so largely exceed the supply
Washington is, of course, ready to con-
cede that a large part OF the expense of ap-
proaches to bridges across sunken tracks
would properly fall upon her; also some
snare OF The expense of substituting a mod
ern structure for Long Bridge. But there
are offsets to the railroads bill against
the public.
In balancing the accounts it is to be re-
membered that the railroad secures from
the former in connection with this legisla-
ton: % Release of claim for rental for the
admittedly illegal use and OCCUPATION OF
streets and reservations for many years
An act of a recent Congress legalized the
occupation and use of six small reserva-
lions which had for years been used with.
out legal authority. The road has occupied
and still occupies, the large reservation at
the intersection of Maryland and Virginia
avenues, which Mr.. A. G. Riddle. when at
torney for the District, reported to be held
only by virtue of "squatter sovereignty 81
1t has paid nothing for its long Illegal use
OF the streets and reservations as storage
depots and shifting yards. (2) An increase
of the number Of its legal tracks and the
space occupied by them on public property
between Virginia avenue and the 9th street
station: also along the whole route on both
Maryland and Virginia avenues and across
the reclaimed flats. This means the dona
ton of a valuable strip of public property
including section 225 feet wide across til,
Mall. large addition to the railroads lane
grant, representing heavy expenditure
IL payment were exacted at the marke
Price. The bill gives to the railroad a mag
nihcent terminal yard 225 feet wide. capabl,
It accommodating fifteen or twenty tracks