Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-11

TROUBLE WITH THE AUTaORITIEs.-
The facts concerning the beginning Of
work for an additional track for the
Southern Railway Company at the
east end of the Wilkes street tunnel
were published 10 yesterdays Gazette.
When the matter was brought to the
attention OF Mayor Simpson he
directed City Engineer Holcombe
to stop the work OF digging up the
street. Mr.. G. w. Ellis, foreman Of
the gang Of workmeD, then directed
the laborers to remove south OF the
street, where they worked until the
close OF the day. This morning Officer
Keith Davis stationed himself at the
scene of operations and when Mr.. Ellis
and the workmen appeared he forbade
them renewing operations on the
street. The foreman said he had or
ders from the division superintendent OF
the railroad to cut through the
ground, as IL was the private property
of the company and south OF the build
ing line of the street. The officer told
him he must urge all that to
the city authorities. He had Or
ders to arrest any man who
prosecuted the work any further.
Mr.. Ellis then directed the men to
persons some work on the north eide
OF the street and he started 10 search OF
the City Engineer. The latter. how
ever, could do nothing TO relieve the
situation. The fact remained that IL the
new track was laid hesqusre from Lee
to Union street would become thing
OF the past 30 far ss passageway over IL
with vehicles was concerned. Mayor
Simpson was memorable, as he could
not, under the circumstances, allow the
work to proceed. 1t is thought, how
ever. that some smicable arrangement
will be made so that the track can be
built. This can be arrived at by the
company cutting away q part OF the
north end of Windmill Hill and grad
ing another roadway from LIE 20
Union street, In the meantime the
workmen are engaged in digging on
both sides OF the street. The
geography of this locality is rot
familiar to every one, and it may be
proper to state that the stone work OF
the east end OF the tunnel extends from
one building line to the other on Wilkes
street at its intersection with Lee.
Therefore what is now roadway from
the latter thoroughfare to Union street
is, strictly speaking, the property OF the
company. The railroad officials, how.
ever, have acknowledged it as q part OF
Wilkes street by cutting away portion
of Windmill Hill and grading the square
to Union street. Besides this they have
erected a fence east from the stone
work OF the tunnel. The company, it
is said, agreed nearly fifty years ago to
construct a wall the entire length OF the
square (ss they did at the vest end)
and keep the street open. The only
semblsnoe of the ful6 lment of the
promise is the fimsy fence now stand
ing. 1t is also alleged that in 1873 the
track now running from the tunnel to
the barge wharf was laid without per-
mission from the city authorities.
Should the purposed track be laid it
will be necessary to make cut about
seven feet deep through the street,
which would effectuslly close 1t to We
hicle5, at least.
[Snoe the above was In type City
Engineer Holcombe had consultation
with the railway officials and the re-
suit has been an amicsble adjustment OF
the matter. The Engineer informed
the representatives OF the company that
the city must have suitable roadway
from Lee to Z zion street, and suggested
that it would be satisfactory to the city
il the company would construct 8
thoroughfare south Of their new tracR,
"a suggested above. The officials, after
consultation with their attorneys, agreed
TO accept this proposition. The new
track will therefore be laid and fenced
in and new roadway opened through
the square.