The Washington times., 1906-08-26
IntOIerabIe Conditions
Have Brought Forth
Protests From
the People.
HIGHWAY NEGLECTED
FOR A LONG PERIOD
Very Worst Stretch of Road
way Within the Confines
of the District of
Columbia.


While the residents OF many suburban
portions of the District enjoy the bless
ings of good roads. those of at least
one lOcaHty-that lying east OF BenninB,
near the intersection of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Compares tracks
have long been compelled TO traverse
what is perhaps the worst stretch of
highway within the confines of the Dis
trict The roadway IN question is known
as Sheriff road. and its Importance can
be measured by the fact that it not
only offers the one convenient highway
10 farmers and suburban residents com
ing 20 and from Prince George county,
Md. 10y way of the northeast section
Of the city, bur along IL are frouted
many fine residences.
That the road could remain long neg
lected in condition that suggests in
jury 10 life and limb and mishap 20
teams and automobiles is due TO the
failure Of Congress TO provide a suhi-
Client appropriation for its repair, ac-
Cording 10 a statement by the Engineer
Commissioner. However this may be.
the lOng-sUfeTing residents of the
neighborhood assume that a failure 20
properly and equally apportIon the fund
on hand for road repairs is at the root
of the evil.
Has Aroused Ire Of Citizens.
So aroused have certain prominent
residents OF the locality become over
the condition of the road that they
are bringing strong pressure 10 bear
on the District authorities TO have some
remedial action taken, and they go still
further by stating that they will take
the initiative by making an outlay for
necessary stone and gravel.
The moving spirits in the effort TO
secure this road repair are Howard l.,
Christmau and Francis CarmOdy. both
Of whom own fine residences adjacent
10 Sheriff road and are compelled 10
use 80 10 gain ingress TO the city. Al
though they both have a personal in-
terest in the matter, In reality they
voice the sentiment Of the entire COM
munity conferred i'm the Prince George
County and Eastern District Of Column
bia Citizens Association.
An experience which Mr.. Christman
had yesterday afternoon while coming
into the city iu his automobile. al
though typical of the road, he says,
has convinced him more than ever Of
the Imperative need of securing a road
at least Offering safety In passage
According 10 his story, which is borne
out bv evewitnesses and accompanying
Photographs, lte had reached a point
On Sheriff road coming toward Ben
ming about a half mile distant from
his home, when the two front wheels
or his automobile stuck fast in a deep
rut IN the roadway, caused by the re-
cent heavy rains and the fact that the
road has never been improved.
Used ShOvels and Crowbars.
Although he put on the entire 20
horsepower Of his machine he states,
and called in the assistance OF several
neighbors 10 help in the laborious task
Of moving the stalled car. IL was not
until shovels and crowbars had been
procured. and the machine righted was
he able 10 resume his Journey 70 the
city.
This experience. he tells. not only
caused more than an hours delay In
reaching the city but the wear and tear
on himself those who rendered assist
ance. and. incidentally. the machine. Is
not 10 be estimated. Thus, he says, al
least two months of the life Of a $1,000
auto was spent IN simply traVersing
short stretch Of roadway.
An examination Of Sheriff road at this
point and for the distance Of three
quarters of a mile. showed it 10 be Of
deep sand. devoid of firm road founda-
ton. filed with deep Tuts and danger
Gus e-,Teys. and likely TO become i'm
passable after an ordinary rain
Fire Engine Stalled in Mud.
In addition to Mr. Christman's eX-
periencc. that which attended an en-
CINE attached 10 Engine Company No. 10,
has convinced Fire Chief Belt that the
road should be put In such shape as
a., admit Of the passage Of ordinary We
hIcles. While responding 70 recent fire
alarm IN the ueighborhood, this engine be
came stalled in almost the exact spot
as did AIr Christman's automobile yes
tCrdav. Meanwhile. the fire continued 20
burn fercelv. and when the engine
finally arrived Spon the scene. after It
had been extricated by the combined
efforts of the firemen and several pass
ersbv. the dwelling had almost been
consumed
This fact was reported to Chief Belt
bv Lieutenant Clark. or Engine Com
many. No. 10 ard the Commissioners
have been appraised of it officially.
While no steps have yet been taken
to repair the road, and the possibility
seems remote. the District authorities
are preparing a series Of experiments
along it with coal tar OF. preparation
IN Law dust. Although not disputing the
efficacy OF this preparation on some
roads. Mr.. Chrlstman takes strenuous
exception 10 its being used on Sherin
road. BY reason of the road being OF
deep sand, and apparently without q
firm bottom he contends that the eX-
penditure of money IN that direction
would be worse than useless.
Why not use this money, however, |
small IL may he in repairing the road, /
he has asked the Commissioners. and he
stoutlv sticks 10 the principle that in the /
interests Of the neiEhborhood the coal /
tar oil should be dispensed with and At /
tenti0n given 70 repairs on the road
ISLAND BOUGHT BY MONKS.
LONDON Aua 95-yafFN- Island in /