Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-14
GRADE CROSSINGS
Subject of Discussion by Northeast
Washington Association.
AN APPEAL TO TEE COMMISSIONERS
Street Improvements, Public Schools
and Alleged Determinations.
MRS. STOWELL AS TRUSTEE

ne NOrtheaSt washington Cl11LenS ASSO-
citation met last evening for the first time
Stree the adjournment for the summer in
June last. The attendance was nearly
twice great has been the case or
most similar occasions heretofore. Many
speeches were made, all of which indicated
earnest devotion to the principles for
witch the association was formed.
President Evan H. Tucker occupied the
chair. After calling the meeting to order,
the chair made an address, which, in part.
follows:
Il call your attention to the fact that
since our last meeting there have been
three very serious accidents at railroad
grade crossings in the District. One of
these was the horrible affair at Deanc-
wood, on the Baltimore and Potomac road,
where Judge Claughton and Miss Gusts
lest their lives; second was at the Nj
street crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio
read. where Mr.. Auerbach and five others
narrowly escaped being killed. and the
third at the New York avenue crossing OF
the same company, where a colored man
ard woman had miraculous escape from
Instant death.
If man kills his fellow it is murder.
and the offender is put to death on the gal
lows. IS it is meet and proper to do; but
railroad companies whose lires are almost
within the shadow of the Capitol dome can
go right along killing people and not
held responsible by the criminal law. 1t is
ttllt tIldt congress SnCulu take some ACTON
in regard to this matter. for until it does
the murder of innocent people will be kept
up
AboIi>hins the Grades.
IS am delighted TO see that Captain Black
the Engineer Commissioner of the District
has been able to get the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company to agree to plan 0he par
ticulars of which have been already print
ed in Tie Star. now and always our best
friend) which when carried out will abol-
Ish all grade crossings in the city. Now
let the District Commissioners say 20 the
Baltimore and Ohio company there shall
not ne a grade crossing in the District of
Columbia
Referring to the recent killing by Penn
syivanla railroad train at Deanewood cross
Ing of Judge Claughton and Miss Gusts
Mr. Ellis Dalrymple offered a preamble and
resolutions, which were adopted by unan-
inous vote.
After the presentation of the resolutions
President Tucker called Vice President
Burke to the chair, and in short speech
reviewed the testimony of some of the wit
Hesses at the coroner's inquest to determine
the cause of the fatal accident. Mr. Tucker
SAID ne was utterly astoundei to hear as
ne did at the inquest. and as vas published
IN Inc star at The time, of the amount of
work which the gateman at the Deanewood
crossing had to perform, and said it was
simply matter of impossib,lity for any
human being to carry out his orders from
ire railroad company in reference to the
management Of the gates, and at the same
ti1iS peflSFm MS Other duties.
The Resolutions.
The preamble and resolutions set forth
that the association had heard with great
sorrow OIL the death CT two of our most
highly respected citizens at the crossing If
the Ahacostia road over the tracks Of the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad COMPANY
at or near Deanewood d. C.
VIC believe said deaths Were caused nv
the ldllure Or neglect of the railroad COM
pany 10 provide proper and sufficient safe
guards at that ssing. and this associa-
ton requests the Commissioners to djrrnr
SAID company, through the proper officials
10 employ Il competent person or persons
whose only duty it shall be to lower the
safety gates before the passage of eac.1
and every locomotive. or train over
said crossing. and 10 raise said gates di.
recuy after the crossing is clear
We request the Commissioners to direct
the said railroad Company to erect safety
gates at the crossing of its tracks over .hf.
Sherin road at or near Dcanewood ID. c.
ana 10 employ competent person or per-
sons whose only duty it shall be 10 operate
said gates, as provided by the foregoing.
resolutions
INDUCES in Criticism.
Mr.. William ]. FrizzeH criticised the
course of former Commissioner of the
District in reference to the treatment Of
railroad corporations. declaring, among
other things, that although the Court of
a right to enforce. by means of the police
and criminal courts, the resula lions made
" the board in reference 10 the speed of
-rains, and other kindred matters Vet
when arrests were made by the police Off
GERS for even the plaincst violations of
these regulations, the COMMISSIONS gave
orders to the prosecuting officers for the
District not TO allow the matter 20 come
ND in court
Mention was made by M FrizzelI that
the list of railroad crossings ii the District
mr. yyaf f.bp il l.
by the company. made by tn. police au-
thoritics. was Incomplete. and those at Sth
and X streets. 9th and ] streets and Sd and
/ streets. and several other places, ha6 not
been reported upon at ALL
THE whole report said Mr.. Frizzell lis
sickly attempt and "A miserable failure TO
give the public some valuation inform;. ton
to which they are entitled
u see further he continued that the
officials who very properly have the mat
ter IL charge are pre- pairing new reg Gla-
tioas in reference 10 grade crossings, and |
think that the Northeast Washington Cit
izeus' Association has right to be heard
OH this question. l also think ought to
have a talk with the Commissioners reIa-
tive thereto
Committee Appointed.
Al the suggestion Of Mr.. Frizzell the ap-
poiatment authorized of a committee.
OF which the president of the association
should be one. to call the Commission
ers and lay before them the views of the
members of the association in reference
10 this important subject. Later the chair
selected as his colleagues in the committee
Messrs- \. T. Cowsill. W. ]. FrlzzeE. f.
W. Kirby and j. II. AschenE1ch
Presided Tucker called attention to the
fact that The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company has. at the request OF the ASSOC
citation. placed a neat crossing at 9Th
street ard as ii is already much used by
the people OF the vicinity It was hoped
TO get tie company to place Waterman
there.
y member said he understood the Balti-
mere and Ohio people We're about to BULL
tower within one square of that point
which, when completed. would be some
thing of protection TO those using the
CT, street crossing.
Street improvements