Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
STRONG OBJECTIONS
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST PER
NIT TO RAILWAY.
Do Not Want Pennsylvania Tracks
Across Virginia Avenue in South
west Washington.

a vigorous protest against the SrdnthB
OF the application of the Philadelphia. Bal
timore and Washington Railroad Company
for permission to construct its line across
Maryland avenue between 9th and 10th
streets southwest. and 9th and C streets
southwest, in order that the company may
operate four tracks in reservation 113, was
filed with the District Commissioners today
by Mr.. r.. Harrison johnson, chairman OF
the railroad committee Of the Southwest
Citizens Association. 1t is, probable that
hearing of the matter will be given the
parties interested within few days.
The protest recites that the railroad COM
pany has already secured the consent OF
the War Department to use reservation 11s
but the use of the streets must be granted
by the District
The citizens point out that at 7th and
maryland and Virginia avenues. southwest,
two OF the most dangerous street crossings
In the entire city are located, with five sets
OF tracks; on reservation lib there are
twelve switches, and accidents. collisions
and derafling of cars are common occur
FENCES. 1t Is stated
The protest recites that on 9th street there
are already four sets of tracks, and two
more grade crossings are proposed. The
plans show that it will be necessary to
cross the sidewalks with the tracks, and
according to the citizens, this will require
the placing of the rails almost in the front
doors of houses on Maryland avenue east
of 9th street -
Congested Center.
The freight station of the Pennsylvania
railroad. near 9th and Maryland avenue.
makes that crossing one of the most con-
gested railroad centers in the city. The
committee says further:
III another set of tracks is placed a
snort distance above the present one 1t
will extend the line Of danger and hem us
q nonYs 10 In
creased and accidents and loss of life and
property must inevitably follow. 1t was
only short time ago at this very cross
ing that the life of a poor unfortunate
was crushed out and the wagon he was
driving demolished and the horse killed.
1--WE understand that about six weeks ago
the railroad company under plea of want
ing additional track to unload stone
for the municipal building was given per-
mission to occupy the space on the south
side Of E street between 18th and 14th
streets southwest. This track is being used
for other purposes, Why cannot the stone
and building materials be frieghted from
the D street track?"
Views of j. Harrison johnson.
Mr.. J. Harrison Johnson, chairman of the
railroad committee of the Southwest Citi-
zens' Association, through whom was pre-
scented the formal protest to the Commits
sioners this morning, in conversation with
a Star reporter shortly after he had been
to the District building, said the action Of
the Commissioners in the matter of grant,
ing the permit to the Philadelphia, Balti-
more and Washington railroad was of the
greatest interest to the citizens of his sec
ton.
AS he was sitting in his office at 3O7 7th
street southwest he called attention to the
noise from the passing of engines and cars
on Virginia avenue which could be heard
constantly .Ist and with annoying distinetness;
tracks laid on this reservation, No. lib, will
make the racket that much worse. when
it Is now almost unbearable: but, still, that
is not the principle reason which we would
urge against the granting of the permit.
1t is that the new tracks will have to run
across the pavement on the north side of
Maryland avenue just west of 9th street,
and will consequently almost entirely shut
off the people who occupy the houses on
this street. endangering the lives of the
children and their own. There will also
have to be another grade crossing at 9th
and Z streets in order that the tracks may
enter reservation No. lib, and such thing
will increase the congestion and thereby the
great danger that is even now known to
exist at the Maryland avenue and 9th street
crossing.
Provisions Of Union Station Act.
Mr.. johnson called particular attention to
the provision of the union station act which
authorized the Commissioners to grant
permits Tor railroads to cross reservations
and streets. According to Mr.. Johnson
this section only allows the issuance OF
such permits when it is made necessary by
some change in the railroad system incident
to the improvements that are In progress
for the new station. This, he urges, is
clearly not a paramount, or even a pIaus-
ible reason for the request now being con-
sidered.
Speaking, as he said, from his experience
he did not believe the railroad needed the
additional tracks requested, in order to
bring stone for the new buildings on the
Mall. In his opinion they will eventually
be used for any purpose which the road
may desire. AS the natural place for I'M
loading from the cars brought thus on
to reservation No. lib will be G street be-
tween 7th and tn streets, he says the
people living on this street will be forced
to put up with a great amount of dirt
noise and Inconvenience.
I'VE are long-sufrering enough, down
here" Mr.. Johnson said in conclusion
land 1 don't think we should be Imposed
on any further