The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-07

Inc commissioners IHlS uOTDluS SCHSlo-
cred batch of complaints from various
people on various subjects One of them
was from Thaddeus S. Clark, who informed
the Commissioners that a nuisance exists
in Southwest Washington caused by the To-
comotives standing on the reservation be-
tween Seventh and Ninth Streets at the
intersection of c Street with Maryland and
Virginia Avenues.
Several years ago" he writes, ~ made
complaint to your Board that the steam
railroad company was committing nui-
sance, and in violation of law, as l believe,
in the practice of standing its engines al
certain hours on the reservation as above
described The detached locomotives Of the
Southern Railway are the ones to which
particular reference is made in this con-
nection, inasmuch as every one OF them
before going to the passenger station to
take out a train, whether by day or night,
first stops on the reservation in front OF
my residence sol c Street southwest, re-
naming there half an hour or more, dur
ing which time it makes sufficient noise
from exhaustion of steam, etc, to render
life burdensome to anyone happening to be
in the neighborhood.
AT the time of my fist complaint the
District authorities proved themselves ut
terly incapable of compelling the railroad
companies to observe law and order as
individuals are made TO do, but as the per
sonnet of your Board has changed since
then, and as there is a new incumbent in
stalled at the head of the Police Depart
ment I now renew the complaint, and ask
that you direct Major Sylvester to take
proper steps TO prohibit the use of the res
ervation or of the avenues connecting
Herewith by loafng their locomotives
there. The proper place for them is the
roundhouse. where they should remain I'M
til the arrival of the time for them 10 at
tach to the trains for leaving the city.
AT the time of my first complaint Major
Moore, now deceased, after comforting with
a Mr.. Mckenzie probably superintendent
of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, in
formed me that the latter stated that there
was no necessity for detached locomotives
to use the streets or the reservation in the
manner described and that the practice
would be discontinued. Major Moore also
sent police officer to me TO ascertain the
hours when the nuisance was being COM
mitted, and a result the people of this
neighborhood were relieved this much of
their railroad troubles for week or per
haps Httls longer, after which the rail-
road lapsed into its former habits which
it still practices.
There are many other violations of
similar nature on the part OF the rail-
road company in this section. They care
nothing for tnjunctiols, perpetual or 9TH
erwise. Whenever it suits their conven-
fence they stand trains of cars en- Virginia
Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh
Streets. and on Maryland Avenue, west of
Ninth Street, while only few nights ago
five freight cars without engine were &C.
cupying the reservation referred to for
prolonged period. II would seem from the
enormous amount Of shifting of passenger
and freight ears along the avenues and the
reservation mentioned that every train en-
tering or leaving the city, except perhaps
the through trains. is shifted along this
route. all of which I have been informed is
a violation OF law.
Il realize how difficult it is for the Com
mfssioners to deal with the problem but
rights as a taxpayer or beyond the powers
and duties of your Board, when l request
that laws which are enforced in other sec
tions of the city be likewise enforced in
the Southwest section relative 10 the rail-
road.
You are familiar with the privileges
and obligations of this railroad and if you
will detail an intelligent officer of the law
to watch its violation along this reserva-
ton for a day, and then again during an
evening up TO midnight, you viii have Sc
cured sufficient evidence against the rail-
road to keep your legal advisers busiIy en-
gagged.
Il do not think I ask too much when I
request that an intelligent person be de-
tailed in this neighb0rhood permanently,
with a view to patrolling the tracks and
keeping the employees of the railroad within
the requirements of the law. Permanent
detail is the only thing that will afford
lasting relief, as every prosecuted resident
of this section knows that the roads will
indulge in violation of the law just as soon
as the representatives of the law turn
their backs"
Mr. Clark's complaint was referred to
the Police Department for consideration
and report.
Another complaint was from Mrs. Mae
Hutson. residing on the upper floor of 635
H Street northwest. in which she alleges
that boxes and barrels are constantly stor-
ed in the areaway adjacent to her resi-
dence. placed there. she says by Mr.. OPP
enheimer, grocer at 635 H Street north
west.
She says that these boxes are dangerous
by reason of the possibility of fire. and that
chickens and other things kept there are
disagreeable by reason of the odor emana-
ting from them.
The matter was some days ago referred
to the Police Department, and an inv5S-
tigation was made by Lieutenant Moore.
He stat u that the a. Q way complained of
is private property, for which Mr.. Opsnhei-
mer claims he pays So a month. Lieuten-
ant Moore claims that he can see nothing
that need cause apprehension from fire by
the boxes placed there which consist of a
few heavy crates and a few small boxes
The lieutenant says Mr.. Openheimer Ike -ps
one or two crates of chickens in font of
his place such as may be seen in front
of most provision stores. Lieutenant More
states that the place is kept clean, and
that he is unable to see how the annoyance
alleged by the complainant can be re-
lieved
The report of the lieutenant is approved
by Capt. NJ. A. Austin, Acting Major ard
of Police, without recon-
mendation, and 1t is likely that the COM
plainant will be informed in accordance |
with the report.
A third complaint was from Charles |
King, residing temporarily at Blue Ridge |
Summit, Pa, who encloses letter from |
Edward 8 Sehmid, protesting against the |
action Of boys destroying the brick wall of |
terrace in front Of TO Twelfth Street |
northwest, and asks that the police pre- |
vent the depreciation.
1t was reported to the Commissioners |
from the Police Department this morn |
ng that the matter had been attended to |
by Lieutenant Amiss, of the First pre- |
cinct.
Charged With Highway Robbery.
Howard West, who was yesterday before Judge
Taylor, and his brother Bernard West were ar
aligned together in the Police Court this morn
ng charged with highway robbery The com
claimant appeared as Willard F. Ward Of Red |