The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11
They Object to the I'm
finished Condition of
H-Street Repairs.
MAY LAST ALL WINTER
Optimistic District Official
Declares Matters Might
Be Even Worse.

Much indignation is expressed By citi-
zens of the Northeast section CT the
city on account Of the condition OF II
Street between Third Street northeast
and the railroad tracks, and the popular
dissatisfaction Is increased by the au-
thOrities' announcement that the con-
ditiOns complained of will IN all proba-
bility continue throughout the winter
From Third Street to the tracks, a
distance Of about three blocks. the whole
Of the north side OF the II Street road
way and pavement has been lowered six
to ten feet, IN preparation Tor the con-
struction Of the subway. in connection
with the new terminal improvements.
To the west Of Second Street there IS
portion Of the street without side
walks OF any kind. On the north side.
the excavations extend aImost from the
building line. TO the street railway
tracks.
Bad for Car Patrons.
At the corner Of H and Second Streets
northeast, persons alighting from ears
coming into the city have 10 stand on a
space three feet in width. bounded by
the running board Of the car on one
side and the sheer edge OF the excava-
street has been lowered six feet. and the
wall OF the excavation Is almost per
pendicular
As a protection for pedestrians and
vehicles rope was stretched some
months ago along the edge of the eNca-
VauOn 70 protect people and wagons
frOm accident The rope Is now. how
ever. torn completely away in places.
/ IN others II sass below the surface OF
the street. Along other stretches OF the
street the tron stakes holding the rope
lean 50 Iar out tnat The rope IS stretch
ed foot or two beyond the edge OF the
excavation.
A Battered Roadway.
The south side OF the roadway. where
the traffic IS allowed. IS the main outlet
Of the northeast travel into the north
west. Here the asphalt is broken in
many places, leaving large holes that
are filed with dust in dry. weather and
water in wet
Yesterday the depth Of the dust On
the roadway was measured by Inches.
Every passing car raised a cloud If
dust that settled on the heads and shout
ders OF pedestrians. Wagons and car
riages added 10 the clouds raised by
the cars.
Citizens Blame Railroad.
In reply TO the question of who Is
responsible for the conditions that the
citizens Of the Northeast say are p
menace to life and limb. and at all times
productive Of the greatest discomfort,
the District officials blame the Baiti-
more and Ohio Railroad. They say the
officials of the road. when they obtain4I
the permit for the work last June let il
be understood that the change Of grade
in the street would be completed this
fail.
They DELAYED I,ov-a,-e,. -,v,-i-,c~ =, tt.f-
[ overlooking The fact thaJ under the
lowered grade they had 10 Tuu a large
conduit When Jhis was discovered q
month ago. work came 10 a Standstiu
on the grading. Ii now seems almost
a certainty that the street VIII remain
in IT'S present condition all winter.
II Is pointed out by the citizens that
il would be OF little advantage to lower
( the south side of the street only to have
further work interrupted by the adveDc
OF cold weather Had the Baltimore
and Ohio completed lis work promptly,
say the District Oihciais. au Jne winter
[ Inconvenience would have been avoided.
Say It Might Be Worse.
1T is unfair 20 blame the District
ICommissione-s." said n District ofScial
I yesterday. ''This government has done
Everything possible 20 tighten the iaeou-
lvenience caused the people by the rail-
road Improvements.
| you OL5At 10 see the tonoi-4oAH III
! Philadelphia, New Brunswick, or New
lark AS a result of the railroad improve
mentS Our people are treated mucn
better than others ia this regard. or
lcourse. the conditions on TT Street are
/ isuch that the people are lncOmmoded.
/ but the Inconvenience Is the result II
Ia public Improvement that will better
things when il is completed
/ II is acknowledged that IL Is the duty
of the District 10 compel the contractor
{ for the work 10 keep the protecting
rope in place. but the argument IS also
made that no protection IN this way ls
needed. The people affected by r., how
/ ever. think dinerently. objecuns 90 hcN-
{ ing no rails 10 guard against piunSius
/ down six or teE feet.