Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-20
SOUTHWEST CITIZENS
TRANSACTED AT MEET
ING OF ASSOCIATION.

Protests regarding the condition of the
street crossings over the railroad tracks
on Virginia avenue southwest in reference
to the narrowing of 9Th street from sixty
to forty feet were voiced last evening at
a meeting of the South Washington Cit
liens Association, in Grace Church parish
hall, 9th and D streets southwest.
Mr.. w. A. H Church presided and Frank
B. Gilmore served as secretary. report
by DR.. Willard F. Thompson. chairman Of
the committee on streets was the basis Of
the principal discussion of the evening.
The first complaint was the condition Of
the streets crossing the railroad tracks from
list street to 18th street southwest. 1t was
stated that every one of the crossings are
torn up and In only one or two cases Is 1t
possible to cross the railroad tracks without
encountering deep mud. Although foot
paths. to obviate the Inconvenience were
promised, 1t Is stated. they have not been
put down properly, except in isolated cases.
where the railroad improvements are be-
ing made is such to make it practically
impossible for pedestrians to cross the rail-
road tracks without wearing rubber boots
or going on stills"
The Commissioners should remedy this
condition." DR.. Thompson declared. IF
they are responsible, let their workmen
make the repairs. II the railroad is re-
SpOuSfUle, Iet the commissioners OFQ6r the
railroads to send the necessary workmen to
the crossings to remedy existing condi-
TONS
Are they trying to quarantine us?" an
other member asked.
The narrowing of 9th street also raised
a storm of protest 1t was pointed out that
9Th street Is the only thoroughfare not used
by car lines or Interrupted by public build
ings from the War College to Florida ave-
nue., and that Commissioner Biddle has said
that 9th street Is to be the boulevard
through the city, north and south. In spite
of that, however, it was added, the railroad
has been allowed to put it's wall. to support
the overhead tracks, ten feet inside of the
building line, thus narrowing the roadway
from sixty to forty feet and threatening to
cause congestion.
Effort to Inspect Plans.
DR.. Thompson stated that he visited the
Engineer Commissioners office to inspect
the blue prints relating to the situation.
but had been told by the man in charge
that ''he has not time to show the maps.
The changes on 9th street to carry the
street under the railroad were also dis
cussed. 1t is planned to cut down the street
nineteen feet, making steep grade at
each end of the depression under the tracks.
This, 1t was claimed last night. would pro-
hibit the use Of the street by heavy wagons.
and almost make the thoroughfare useless.
Several members suggested that 1t might
be better to close the street.
Several ways of accomplishing the de-
sired ends were suggested, including injunc-
lions. 1t was concluded to appoint COM
mittee to visit the District Commissioners
and present the grievance The COMMITTEES
Is composed of DR.. M. F. Thompson, r. H.
johnson. ]. T. Wright, Charles Schaefer.
Joseph williams, Joseph Quinn, T. B. Stew
enson and w. A. H. Church.
The smoke nuisance along the railroad
lines was also discussed. and 1t was sug-
gested that persons living in South Wash
ington should work for legislation COM
polling all trains entering the District to
use smokeless locomotives.
At the next meeting. the second Monday
in December. the officers Of the association
Wild be elected for the ensuing year.