Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-15
NEW PLAN SUBMITTED
SOUTHWEST CITIZENS SCHEME
OF TRACKS AND GRADES.
Petition Setting Forth Wishes of the
Citizens Respecting the
Railroad Trackage.

The citizens OF Southwest Washington
who recently proposed to the District
Commissioners a new plan for the railroad
tracks and grades in that section of the
city and who were granted hearing by
the Commissioners last week In this re-
gard, have submitted what may be termed
supplementary petition in support of
their position. This has been filed with
the various other papers pertaining to the
subject and will be carefully considered by
the Commissioners.
THE purpose and position of the South
west Washington Citizens Association"
says the petition, which was drafted by
Mr. r. Harrison Johnson, lin asking your
aid and cooperation in it's advocacy for
q modification of the adopted plan for the
railroad tracks on Maryland and Virginia
avenues southwest seems to be misunder-
stood by your board. While necessarily
the relative value of 9th street and 9th
street must play part in the considera-
ton of this matter, still the all-important
question is, or should be, what plan is best
for the southwest section as whole and
for the general good of all.
From the attitude of the Commissioners
we infer that the only point at issue is,
whether the change should be made from
9th street to 9th street. Such Is not the
case nor is ii our contention, as Will be
ascertained on the reading of our presenta-
ton, copy of which was left on the board
table at the meeting Tuesday last.
I'VE claim and contend that no good rea-
son exists for the extension of an insight
ly viaduct on Maryland and Virginia ave-
nues from 9th street to 9th street, thereby
dividing our section of the city and greatly
depreciating the value of our realty hold
ings and injuring the large commercial IN
terests of our section and likewise Destroy
ing Reservation 113 for its use as park.
Din of Traffic.
'It is our information that the racket and
md
engines passing over a viaduct are much
greater and more annoying than II the
traffic were over a depressed system, and
this. to our mind. should be seriously con-
sidered as the comforts and convenlenceS
of long suffering people are at stake.
Answering Commissioner Vests inquiry
that If 9th street should go through the
Mall It would mean a congestion at the
market and north street, we call atten-
ton to the market site being United states
property and to the movement on 1oot 70
acquire all the ground south of Pennsyl-
vania avenue for the purpose of the gan
eral government, movement which mas
been given impetus by the action of recent
Congress in making provision Tor the pur-
chase of the square in rear OF the city
post office. We also understand that the
square between 9th and 10th streets and
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and c street north
west has been selected as the site for the
new building of the Department OF COM
merce and Labor. From our point of view
these matters should be given weight as
they relate to the permanent system OF I'M
provements of and for our city,
Park Commission Plans.
AS to Commissioner Biddle's query as to
the plan of the commission on improve
ment of the park system, in so far as 1t at
fects reservation 113 and the railroad tracks
thereon, we respectfully direct his atten-
ton TO plate numbered D-2S9 of the park
commission records.
1t Is not strange or unusual that some OF
our people hold divergent views. We be-
leve the commissioners lind themselves IN
the same predicament at times, and II we
opine right, the majority rules. Suffice 1t
to say that the plan presented for your
consideration was approved and adopted
by the Southwest Citizens Association
more than two years ago, and since that
time 1t has been constantly discussed IN
the meetings, and no adverse or dissenting
action has been had on same.
1t should be borne in mind that the mem
bership of our association is not confined
TO the residents of 9th street. 1th street, or
9th street, but the roll is made up OF people
residing in all parts of the southwest sec
ton.
As to the remark made by Commissioner
mcfarland that Congress is loathe to dis
.turb the present status of the railroad
question where opposition exists, we con-
tend that 1t is unfair and unjust to our po-
sition and to the interests involved to say
that because last Congress refused TO sane
ton and approve a plan to close New Jer-
sey avenue and retain and maintain certain
grade crossings in the southwest section of
the city, that our plan should not be called
to Congress- attention, especially when it is
OF such vital Importance to our section and
to the whole city.
Express Hope for Consideration.
You have heard from the large mercantile
interests in the city; you have had the
presidents of the Board of Trade and the
Business Mems Association advocate the
citizens association plan; you have the
concurrence of the railroad company in our
proposition; you have had delegation of
prominent and representative men-men of
large property and commercial interests
appear before you on Tuesday last, ap-
pointed out to you some of the advantages
TO accrue by the adoption of the citizens
association plan. What more can be said
what more can be done?
We cannot too strongly urge upon your
honorable body the ACCESSIBILITY of a per-
sonal inspection of the streets and prop
erty affected by the change as 1t is our be-
lief that you can form no adequate idea of
the situation unless you visit the location
ana observe for yourselves the condition
and the environments and the probable eff
feet of the two plans.
In conclusion, we again ask your careful
and close consideration of this question, as
1t Is the deliberate judgment of those ad-
vocating change in the relocation of the
tracks that the adoption of the citizens
association plan is best for the interests of
the whole southwest section, and nsuring
as II undoubtedly does, the greatest good
to the greatest number.
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