Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-03
GRADE CROSSINGS


eliminate curves There would also be cuts
of at least 30 feet. II the proposition for
change in the location Of the tracks were
adopted he feared 1t would be a long time
before the railroad company would make
the improvements contemplated He said
the convenience of the city was also to be
considered in securing its supplies, and for
that reason he did not approve the PROPOSE
ton to move the freight yard a mile fur
Their from the city than the company de-
sired.
Mr. R. A Phillips suggested that the
board of trade should engage engineers to
consider this railroad question.
Mr.. W. J. Newton said he had examined
the map of the new plan and he found
there We're eight houses east OF the land
purchased by the railroad company for its
shops, and that was The number of houses
that would be cut off from lexington by
tn. closing of the streets. He did not think
that warranted the board of trade in an
tagonizing the Commissioners in their bill.
Mr.. \. NJ Read said ne was convinced by
the arguments of the people of Ecking-
ton that he would have to vote against
their proposition. He said it should be re-
membered that the land between the streets
to be c,osed belonged to the railroad COM
pany They had paid for that land within
the last two years. He had been informed
that over two years before the company
bought this land the very plan now pro-
posed by the railroad company and the
Commissioners was published and no OBJ
lection heard from lexington or any
where else. He did not think the grade
crossings should be stopped for seven
houses.
Mr. Arthur Cowslip thought the board
Of trade would do wrong to throw any
obstacle in the way Of the railroad in abol-
ishing grade crossings.
Mr.. Henderson, replying to Mr.. Read.
said he had personal knowledge that the
people Of lexington did oppose the rail-
road plan by argument before the Com
misS!Oners through their citizens asSOcid-
ton. He said thew protested against This
plan vigorously at the time it was first pro-
posed.
Mr.. NJ. I. Weller said he could not con-
scientiOusly vote for the committees re-
port. Unless he could have better reasons
than had been given him he cou,d not
vote for the report.
Mr.. Server, in response to the claim that
the railroad company needed freight yard
near the city. said as he understood the
case the freight Of the road is delivered
below Florida avenue far it is for
the business men of the city. The propo-
sition 10 take space north of Florida avenue
was simply TO store cars. locomotives, etc,
not in use or laid up for repairs. The ques-
ton was whether the repair shops. round
house. etc. should be placed in the midst
Of half million dollars Of improvements.
Substitutes offered.
Mr.. Irwin r. Linton. president of the
North Capitol and lexington Citizens As
ISOLATION. was permitted to speak, though
not member OF the board. He appealed
to the board for action on the railroad
problem with a view TO future develop
ments. and Mr.. ". J. Frizzell offered sub
stitute for sections > and 6. providing the
track Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company north of Florida avenue be To-
Gated east of the present route, that the Y
be placed north of the location proposed by
the Commissioners bill that the streets
of lexington will not be closed by the loca-
ton there of a round house or repair shops.
He said his motion was merely portion OF
O report adopted by the Northeast Wash
!ngtOn Citizens Association.
Mr.. Curriden suggested that this motion
D. amended so that 4th street be kept open.
r A Phillips expressed the belief that
She route approved by the Commissioners
was the best, and no other proposition he
Thought should be considered
Mr.. Tom C. Noyes appealed to the board
TO support the bill approved by the Com
missioners and not to allow any minor diff
ferences Of opinion or personal interest to
defeat end that had so long been sought
Ice said he had not expected to say any
thing on the report when he came to the
meeting. but after listening to the debate
he felt he should urge that the board should
not place itself IN the position of an OBJ
structionist-
For twenty years." he said, "the Com