The evening times., 1900-05-29
COMPLAINTS OF ANAcosrIANs.
Report on Narrow Streets by an En-
Rinecr Inspector.

The attention OF the Commissioners has
been. called to what Albert W. Richardson
of Anacostia regards as the dangerous eoa-
ditiOn OF Monroe Street by the widening
Of the car tracks In his letter TO the
Commissioners Mr. Richardson mentions
the wounding Of q horse near his Office,
which be attributes TO the narrowness CT
the street where the accident occurred
The letter was referred TO the Engineer
Department by the Commissioners, ard l..
p. Bradshaw, an inspector, now reports
thereon as follows:
After investigation as TO the cause Of
these accidents and observations OF travel
Of this street at various times, l have 10
report the facts, as follows: As regards
the accident in question. IL was the imme-
diate result of the horses, a country team
that had stopped at the curb, frightening
and becoming unmanageable at the ap-
prOech OF a car from behind, the horse
next to the railway tracks rearing stimuli
tapeously with the car passing, and In its
descent throwing its hind leg within the
zone covered by the running board Of the
car. BY virtue Of contact Herewith it was
more or less badly cut. The driver was
on the seat at the tine, and is said to
have had hold OF the reins, but that he
has regarded the mishap, although the
animal at the time was thought TO be
badly hurt, as the direct result of the
horses fright and his inability 20 manage
then. is evidenced by the fact that he has
net asked the railway company for COM
pensatioI. usually prompt proceeding in
such cases.
1T appears also that other accidents of
the kind have happened on the street, but
so far as l have been able to ascertain.
confined to country teams unaccustomed
to the appearance and noise of electric
cars, the same that may be seen along any
of the trolley. roads, and even on the streets
of the city with horses not yet used to the
larger style of car. That in most cases
the drivers are at fault. however, is evil
deneed by the railway companies files.
One case of an accident in this street I
quote: This is to certify that the cause
Of my accident was my horse SHE'D 1t
was due to careleSsness on my part and
was entirely my own fault (Signed) q.
L. Mcdonald, Forrestville, Nd
"The widening OF thesa tracks was in
trinsically matter of general public ac-
commodation, incidentally affordina Ana
costa the means OF a through service
which could not otherwise have been had
and so far as the clearance left for wagon
traffic on either side, as has been before
stated, IL Is as much as upon some of the
city streets occupied by railway tracks.
ana my observation now is that ii As
amply sufficient for the average width
of wagons, measuring from out-to-out Of
hubs, and the exercise of due care on the
part of the country people Will obviate
accident OF course. greater widths OF
roadway would the better facilitate the
use Of the street for driving purposes.
but this cannot be had without the cur
tailment of the sidewalk, now averaging
thirteen feet. the sacrifice of most OF the
shade Of the street, and great expense of
setting back lamp posts, sidewalk fixtures
telegraph and trolley poles, and it is not
believed the abutters are unit for max
ing these sacrifices"
The report Of Mr.. Bradshaw and the
other papers IN the case are being consid-
cred by the Commissioners, and it is un-
derstood that Mr. Richardson will be in
formed in accordance with the facts
stated by the Inspector.