Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-13
BAND O. RAIL WAY BILL
Theme Of Discussion Before North
east Citizens Association.
CERTAIN CHANGES RECOMMENDED
three-Cent Fares on Local Street
Cars Considered
PU BLIC SCHOOL MATTERS

In opening the meeting Of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association last night
President Tucker spoke of the Baltimore
| and Ohio railroad bill recently introduced
in Congress. and said he had a map to
show to the members of the association.
This map, he explained, showed what would
follow the adoption Of the bill, SO far as
| the changes in streets and squares are con-
cerned. He said there had been a meeting
OF the executive committee held since the
last regular meeting of the association, and
1t had made some suggestions to the rail-
road committee.
Chairman Frizzell of the railroad COM
mittee presented report Of his committee,
as follows:
Your committee on railroads has the
pleasure to report that January IL last a
bill providing for the abolition of grade
crossings prepared by the Baltimore and
OHIO company, was introduced in the United
States Senate, and is now before the Dis
trict Commissioners for their consideration
and report
OF course, 1t cannot be expected that a
bill emanating from such a source could he
all that is generally desired, but taking In
to consideration that railroads are a ne
cessity in any community and are servitocs
OF no mean proportions, and that the con-
Ven1ence Of the travelling public and of our
merchants and citizens is coeaual with the
prosperity of our railroads, there are some
Things which we must yield on the principle
OF the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber
Therefore we most respectfully submit
and recommend that the bill should be
amended by requiring the railroad company
TO increase the width Of c street from New
Jersey avenue to list street east at least
1Orty feet, IN order to DroVi6e for he IN
creased traffic in front of its station We
would also emphasize the proposition that
the parked spaces on the line of Delaware
avenue north of Massa chusetts avenue be
left undisturbed as parks, and that the use
of any part of North Capitol street or of
that part of 1st street east south of street
be expressly prohibited.
THE closing of F street. as provided for
in the bill, should meet with our most I'M
compromising resistance.
ITO the other portions of the bill, SO far
as they relate to the route south of Flor
Ida avenue. We might give our passive ac-
quiescence. To that portion of the pro-
posed route north Of Florida avenue we
would suggest the practicability of keep
Ing farther to the eastward and locating
the farther to the northward, so that
the streets in lexington may not be dis
turbed either by the presence Of tracks,
rollndhouses Or repair shops.
I'VE would also recommend that the nee
essary changes Of grade and any damage
accruing to private property along the pro-
posed route should be borne by the rail
road company.
Plans for Viaduct.
80 far as We can learn the plans for
the viaduct south of Florida avenue pro-
vide for a series of arches. To our minds
eye this seems to be pan of pleasing eff
feet and of engineering merit, besides being
OF SUFFICIENT importance to adjacent private
property that such archways should be re-
But 1nasmuch as in other cities where such
structures exist the area within the arches
Is sometimes used for warehouses, stables
and other purposes of the railroad COM
pames, We would suggest that these arch
ways, when so used, should pay revenue
to the District government and that If
the government at any time should desire
to use such archways it shall have the
right to do so free of cost.
The bill allow five years for the COM
pletion of the work, but 1t is claimed by
some engineers that 1t may be completed
r Wl.nn rnree years. For these reasons we
would recommend that the period of six
years be allowed in the bill for maintain
Ing the tracks along the Deaf Mute Col
lege grounds, and the roundhouses and
works in Trinidad be limited to six months
from the completion and occupancy Of
the proposed new tracks
The question of the division of the cost
OF the structural work necessary to change
from surface to elevated tracks is ono that
we think can be safely left to the discra-
tion OF the Congress and the District Com
mlsslonerS, because SO far as we are able
to learn, the proportions vary in the many
cities and states where such changes &C
are contemplated here have been made
Your committee recommends that this
ASSOCIATION fndorse the proposed Senate bill
NO. 2329, with the amendments hereinbe-
fore suggested, and that your COMMITTEES
on legislation be requested to use their
best efforts in the interest of speedy kegis-
lation." f' 'SsiS
Condition of d Street.
BY way Of explanation Chairman Frizzell
said that street is already virtually
closed, and to allow It to remain in this
condition would work no hardship. He.
thought the citizens should seriously object
to the closing Of F street, even at the ex
pense of no legislation. The Commission
ers, he had been told. would oppose the
closing of this street and he has everv
reason to believe the board of trade will in,
dorse their action. F street. he said is not
only straight thoroughfare, but 1t is one
that is very largely travelled.
Mr. Martin seconded the report.
Mr. Chappell said he fully agreed with al
most every word of the report of the com
mittee. He was glad, he said, after wears
OF trouble and destruction of life to know
. .hai me grace crossing will probably be
that no bill could be presented that would
suit everybody. He sincerely hoped there
Wo0id De no obstruction put in the way of
the passage of the bill presented. Several
years ago, he said. President Cowen of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad said to a. com
mittee which waited upon him that the
railroad company could accomplish nothing
because the citizens would not agree upon
any particular plan. Mr.. Chappell ex-
pressed the hope that the citizens would
do all in their power to make some COM
promises and get relief. If the question is
not settled at this session he doubted IL re-
lief will be given for many years Minor
questions upon which the company and citi
zens do not agree he said are insignificant
compared with the murder Of one citizen
on grade crossing.
Objects to Some of the Provisionx,
Mr.. Martin said he. too. is willing that
this project shall be contaminated. Under
the provisions of the bill as drawn, he said,
the change will be Of great benefit to most
Of the owners of property south of Florida
avenue. but in lexington the property will
be ruined. Rather than have so much
property ruined he preferred that no legis-
1afion he had n he Ii