The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-03
A PUBLIC HEARING HELD
Citizens Discuss the Disposal Of
Garfield Park.
The Proposition to Devote the Res
crvstion to Railroad Tracks and
Yards Protested AGAINST md De-
fended-Dr. Bayne's Argument in
Behalf Of Providence Hospital.

The Commissioners yesterday granted a
public hearing to the citizens residing in
Southeast Washington who are interested
in the proposition to establish the tracks
and yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company in Garfield Park Most of the
speakers heard were opposed TO the prop
osition
w c. Dodge first addressed the Commits
sioners. He stated that the granting Of
the permission requested by the railroad
company would be decided disadvantage
TO the property holders in that section of
the city and would cause them untold an
noyance. The tracks would also be brought
closer to Providence Hospital, and would
thereby annoy :he patients of that insti-
tuition. IL it did not require the removal of
the building altogether. Mr.. Dodge then
introduced Tborvald Solberg as a resident
of the locality where the tracks were to be
placed, and who could speak more authori-
tatively on the subject
Mr.. Solberg stated that he could see no
reason for the proposed change AS the
tashs htit az Dlthtul iutTt Was Il SilRUl
curve in the road. The change would
straighten the tracks. but the only advan-
tage would be gained by the railroad COM
pany. Just why this would be an advan-
thge to the company under the present
regulations. which permitted them TO
speed their trains through the city. Mr..
Solbeig stated he could not see. although
he had been told 1t would
Commissioner Beach interrupted the
speaker at this point with the statement
that the proposed elevation of the tracks,
and the Strengthening of the same, was
proposed for the purpose OF permitting
the trains 10 enter the city as fast as they
could be run. and that the present regu-
lations aeeinst speeding trains would not
be enforced then.
Mr.. Solberg stated that he could not see
the advantage of entering the city at full
speed. 1t would only save a few minutes
of time on the schedule and would not
benefit the travelling public half so much
as the use OF Garfield Park. where the
tracks are to be located, would benefit the
residents of the city.
Commissioner Beach again interrupted
with the statement that the speeding OF the
trains was not question of time with the
authorities. but that in running fast in and
out OF the city the trains would not be SO
long on or over tie streets. which would
be of great advantage TO the citizens.
DR.. Bayne. of the Providence Hospital
visiting staff, stated that he had been In |
vited 10 the meeting as the representative
of the hospital. The location OF the rail-
road tracks on the reservation known as
Garfield Park, would deprive the patients |
of the hospital Of a place for recreation. |
The hospital authorities were in the habit |
Of permitting the convalescent patients to 4
walk in the park for exercise in pleasant |
weather, and the change from the hospital |
to the green and shady walks in the park |
was of inestimable benefit.
NJ J. Weller was the next speaker. Mr.. |
Weller defended the stand taken by the |
Commissioners in desiring to place the |
tracks In the park. Mr.. Weller stated that |
the interest evidenced by the citizens in |
the park was sentimental one and would |
not stand before the practical reasons /
given for the location of the tracks at |
this point. The speaker stated that he |
was not an engineer, but he had been in
formed by the Engineer Commissioner of /
the District and his assistants that the |
use OF the park for the rail-
road tracks was the only practicable and
feasible way OF securing the abolition of
grade crossings in the southeast The
question to be decided was whether the
citizens desired to preserve the park more
IMAM tuts NduIeu " w away Win EiddC !
crossings, which were known TO be men
aces to life and dangerous in the extreme
Mr.. Weller further stated that he proba-
bly, owned more property in the section
whose interests would be damaged by
the proposed change than any other man
present He said that $4,000 worth of
and improvements would be rem
iered practically worthless by the propos-
ed change, but he did not desire to have il
stated that he would oppose a measure
which would be of great benefit TO citizens
Of that section of the city.
The speaker then referred TO a meeting
of a committee of 100, which was held in
1881. to discuss matters of interest to the
District. At that time a committee was
appointed from the large committee TO
report on grade crossings and they had
selected Garfield Park as the place where
4 union station should be erected for all
Of the roads. They did not propose TO
use portion Of the park, as was now pro-
posed, but the entire reservation was to
be given over to the use of the railroad
At that time the proposition
vas appiauded. There must be some other
interest than a mere sentimental one, Mr..
Weller concluded, and he was sure that |
I the gentlemen present were residents of
he northwest they would never have ap
,eared in opposition to the park or any of
he streets when the abolition of grade
rossings would be accomplished thereby.
Thomas w. Smith stated that the exec {
tive committee of the East Washington
,itizen's Association were in favor of hav-
ng the proposed railroad tunnel end at i
fourth Street southeast. from which point s
he tracks would defect to their present I
ocation and thus accomplish the purpose
4 the bill without useing Garfield Park.
The portion Of the city south of vir- 1
,inia Avenue would never be used as a !
esidence section, he said, and he favored
he building up OF that part OF the city ,
S business centre, locating the facto-
les and workshops there.
The Commissioners were also addressed
~ Messrs. Saltzstein, Danenhower. and :
'outs. all residents of the southeastern .
'ortion of the city.
Al the conclusion OF the hearing Com
missioner Wight stated that the Commits .
toner's were glad to hear the statements
hat had been made and they would take
be matters presented under consideration
lille preparing their report on the bill
hitch was now before Congress
Indoor Baseball
The third OF the Y NJ C. A. in