The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-11
RAILROADS AND CROSSINGS
Animated Meeting Of the North
east Citizens Association.
COMMISSIONERS ARE ACCUSED
Report of the Committee on Steam
Railroads Precipitates Lively
ContrOversy-Cha Against
Commissioner Ross Met With
Denial.

The meeting of the Northeast Citizens
Association at Northeast Temple, last even
ingwas a comparatively brief one, although
considerable business of Importance was
transacted President Tucker was in the
chair.
The reports OF the various committees
were presented, that in which the greatest
interest was conferred being the steam rail-
raignment OF the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, aud a criticism OF the District Com
TnssioneTs for the adjustment or the
police regulation which provided for the
stopping OF steam locomotives before reach
ing the crossings OF the rapid transfer
street car lines.
President Tucker gave short account Of
a tour Of inspection, which he had taken
In company with Engineer Commissioner
Black and Capt. Beach. He said those gen
tlernen had eyinced considerable interests IN
the question OF grading those streets which
were crossed by railroads and also in the
improvements of certain streets. They
expressed to him their belief that some
thing should nc done at once to remedy the
evils existing in the northeast section.
Vice President Burke was disposed TO
regard the objections TO the Baltimore
and Ohio grade crossings from a pessimis-
tic point of view He thought the influ-
ence OF that corporation was so powerful
that there was little use il the assOcia-
ton making itself a target for ridieule by
opposing with its puny strength such q
wealthy combination.
Mr.. Frizzell's ire arose at this suggestion,
and he opened the way for hotexChange
OF personalities by saying he feared MI.
Burke had been approached by a repre-
sentative OF the Baltimore road, as he
himself had been at a time when he was
prosecuting cases against them
President Tucker interposed dt this point
and poured oil upon the troubled waters
by stating that he did not believe Ar.
Burke had been approached by anything
like a bride; but that he could hardly
agree that the assOciaLioD's efforts against
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were fU-
tile
He called attention to the fact that the
Commissioners had always treated the
reprnseutations OF the body with considera-
ton, and also that Senator MeMillen lad
personally asked the attendance OF the
officers of the association at the sessions
of the Senate Committee on Railroads
Mr Burke followed with a cIiti,ism of
Commissioner Ross for voting to Iep3al
the provision which limited the speed OF
steam locomotives to twelve miles
Mr.. Frizzen retorted with flat-footed
denial Of this statement, and offer ri 10
prove that Mr. Ross had voted against
tie repeal Of that regulation. MI Burke
was staggered by this, but he retTeatcd
from his position in good order.
Mr.. Chapple then gave new turn to tie
discussion by a strong speech, in which
he said that the continued coLn plants
and disscnsions Of the association had
given the public the impression that The
northeastern section was nothing more
than a wilderness Of dangerous railr1ad
crossings. and neglected 70 the last de
gree by the city government He deplored
this feet for the reason that it kept out
those who might otherwise purchase homes
in that section II was refreshing, he
said. to listen to the hopeful words spDk II
by President Tucker. for they were The
first he had heard for some time.
The committee on public conveyance
in their report urged that authority be given
to request the Columbia Street Railway
Company to arrange u transfer system
with one of the two herdic lines now opera
ting here This report was adopted without
dissent.
A resolution was offered By Mr. Carver
REQUESTING that the street department
sprinkle twice daily Florida avenue, from
NJ to Fiftecnth street, and also Fifteenth
street from E to H.
After some further discussion, of a
general nature, the meeting was adjourn
ed