Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-28
BRIGATWooo CAR TRACKS
Question: of Their Location Discussed BY
Attorney W. J. Lambert
Improved Method of Rapid Transit of
PafamOunt ImpOrtance-Plnn
of Settlement.

The District Commissioners have received
communication from Mr.. Wilton j. Lam
bert, local attorney, on the subject of the
location Of street car tracks on Brightwood
avenue. Addressing the Commissioners,
Mr.. Lambert says:
Saturday last l read with interest the
communication addressed to you by Mr..
Louis P. Shoemaker. president or the
Brightwood Citizens Association. Today l
notice in The Star strong expression OF
opinion upon the question by DR.. e. G.
Stone. My home is located at the head OF
the District portion OF Brightwood avenue,
almost at the point of intersection of the
District line with the latter. and using as
l do the driveway daily as means OF
communication with the city, feel that L
can speak from much experience. Having
realized for some time that to insure the
rapid development and success OF that pc
turesque and heaithful residence sectlon OF
the District, soon to be opened by loth
street as well as Brightwood avenue, IL was
of paramount Importance that the most
improved method of rapid transit and one
fare. too, with free transfer tnroushoii'
the city be secured, the owners and resi-
dents of this vicinity have worked jealous
ly and with success to this end
Now as an incident to the transition
stage while the roadbed is being properly
constructed, the people are confronted with
an exceedingly dangerous and almost I'M
passable driveway; the old tracks TO the
east have been left urdisturbed; about
tWo-thirds of the remainder of the road is
being utilized to lay new rails, while the
balance has been wel-nigh appropriated
as a repository for dirt and rock Mr..
Shoemaker characteriZes this. L think, just
ly as turning the avenue over to the rail-
road company. Personally 1 have seen
what might have been serious accidents
barely averted in the narrow and inclined
space embracing the gutter left as pas
80 crnrI nv Zoo a
buggy in the defiie. though the drivers fire.
quently exhibit an amazing recklessness
in rushing ahead, needless of the where
abouts of others.
while 1 agree with Dr. Stone that in
the case of public improvements you are
usually compelled to incommode and try
the patience of citizens. l believe there
should he minimum to this condition and
that much of the present inconvenience
could be avoided if the company were re-
quired to temporarily level up the gutter
and clear the limited driveway of stones
as they progress with the work. I would
also suggest that if possible some one in
authority be stationed in the narrow parts
to regulate the entrance and speed Of
wagons
Location of Tracks.
Touching the questions of the location
of the tracks and width of the road, have
always held the, opinion that for many rea-
sons, too patent to need enumeration, the
-
tracks when the width will permit, and
when the fatteriwill not, 1t should be made
to do so as soon as possible. Holding this
opinion, ! have, when approached. advised
against legal proceedings to restrain the
Commissioners and the company from so
occupyingothe middle of the avenue, though
if true that the charter of the Brightwood
company only grants the power to the Com
missioners to designate the position of
tracks inothe first instance. having exer-
cised the fright :they could hardly relocate
after a lapse of over six years.
IF it could be made universal l would
advocate the idea of donation as a Solu-
ton of the problem of widening the road
but from my intercourse with owners | be-
lieve unanimity of sentiment on this i'm
practicable, andiI do not think it would be
expected to Donate. IT. then. donation of
all be impracticable, and corporation is de-
sired to avoid the tortuous delay of con-
gressional action and condemnation,
would suggest you adopt the plan of leasing
the ground required. make the Improvement
and compensate owners at an agreed price
upon securing the appropriation; or if the
lease feature be deemed objectionable, car
ry out the plan by agreement 1, believe
this course would conciliate all objections,
for while the exchange of land for grano-
lthic sidewalks might satisfy many, as it
has done in the instance mentioned by DR..
Stone. such a plan might not be generally
acceptable, and, indeed, it's legality might
be questioned / trust this communication
spirit my part to criticise, but rather
as an endeavor to ameliorate however lit
tie, the existing conditions upon Bright
wood avenue.