The Washington herald., 1906-12-27
SIDEWALKS OBSTRUCTED.
Citizen Objects to Tunnel Privileges
Granted TO Contractors.

Granted to Contractors.
Editor The Washington Herald;
Constitutional as well as the funda-
mental law OF the land, contains no de
cree any more positive and Interchangeable
than that which aff1rms that to the public
alone belongs the public property, and
no discretionary power is vested in any
one in authority to divert this right OF
the public and authorize private parties
TO usurp 1t under permits which no one
has any right TO give. And yet, for
more than a year past. the public, or
that portion of it-and It is a goodly one
which makes use OF the eastern side of
Fifteenth street between F and G, has
been deprived of its right to the free and
untrammeled use of the sidewalk and
street Tin front of a bank building now
in process of erection), and have been
compelled to traverse a wooden tunnel,
only wide enough to permit of two per-
sons passing one another.
Instead of the entire sidewalk being
devoted to the only legal use to which it
can be appropriated, it has been
with the exception of the four-feet-wide
use of the contractors as a storage space.
and the simple-Eainded public has sub
mitted 10 the consequent annoyances TO
which it has been subjected in order
that these contractors might save the
dollars which they would have been
obliged TO pay for storage elsewhere.
These contractors should have been re
CURED 10 erect a covered way, extend
ing across the entire sidewalk, for the
protection of the public. and that is tie
only permit which they should have been
able to obtain for any use Of the public
domain
At the northeast corner Of Fourteenth
and streets. where a building has been
RACED TO make way for a new structure,
the contractors have not only control OF
the entire sidewalk, but they have erected
bridge Of about four feet in width,
extending entirely about the two sides
OF the work. and this is located not upon
the sidewalk. but upon the asphalt Of
the streets. For several weeks past. and
probably for a year or more 10 come.
this bridge has been. and will be (un-
less the authorities compel the resotra-
ton OF the sidewalk TO its legitimate
purposes). during the period Of construc-
ton, the only means afforded the public
for transit past this point.
- The absolute indifference Of contractors
to the rights and convenience Of the
public has a thorough exemplihcaton IN
the situation at this point. for this in
closed space has been put to no use what
ever, except to display a large board
upon which Is painted the advertising card
Of the contractors. The thousands Of
pedestrians passing this point at this
particularly busy holiday season have
been, and are being, obliged TO suffer
this Inconvenience, and for what?-tO ad-
veTtise these contractorst
The writer of this communication has
seen very many evidences Of the abso-
lutte indifference displayed by building
contractors to the rights and comfort
Of the public. not only here. but in New
York, but likes yet 10 know Of any which
displays such unblushing effrontery as
this instance. If he may except q similar
instance in New York. some years since.
when bridge was placed about the
southeast corner Of Fifth avenue and
TwenJy-ninth street. at which point the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company tore
down one building and was erecting an
other. and upon which block the writer
resided. Here the sidewalk was in
Cased in a high board fence. and the
public Telegated 10 the use OF a narrow
bridge built out over the asphalt Of the
street. Aware Of the law the writer
hereof sought the services Of the depart
ment Of public works, and. nOtwithStand-
ing the bridge and fence had been erect
ed under the authority Of a permit-iI-
legal-issued by some one connected with
the building department tat the time Of
the regime Of the more or less sainted
Mayor Van Wyck), an Inspector Of the
department Of public works was ordered
20 investigate and report, which resulted
in his written statement that the condi-
lions existing at the Pennsylvania Rail
road Companys building were "a gross
violation Of law. and orders were ut
once issued 10 remove the offending
fence and bridge, which was done, and
the sidewalk and street restored 70 the
only uses for which they were intended
that OF the public. and not Of private par
ties. And yet at the point referred TO. r
and Fourteenth streets. there exists. with
the exception Of the high fence. precisely
similar conditions 10 those IN New York.
and the authorities permit their main
tenance.
Constitutional law is the same every
where, and is no different in the District
Of Columbia from that in the State of
New York, and there is no power exist
ing which can legally divest the public
rights from their proper uses. The gen
tie public accepts, without protestation,
when IL will do any good, any depriva-
ton OF its rights. and looks askance at
any who may have the temerity to as
sert MS rights and make that which
is called in the language in vogue in
more or less polite circles) "a kick"
Another and very fragrant imposition
upon the public is the presence, on the
sidewalks Of the most crowded parts of
the town, especially upon + street, of
open. and, too, of closed hatchways,
for when open they are an obstruction
and menace TO the safety of pedestrians.
and when closed the iron covers pro-
Jet above the pavements, very much to
the detriment of the footgear of passers.
whose temper is frequently sOrely tried
when performing the stunt popularity
known as "stubbing the toe" Many OF
these hatchwayS are kept open constant
ly for purposes of ventilation, a use for
which sidewalks are not intended. The
conditions in this respect, as well as
the pavement itself upon F street, would
be a disgrace to a third-class country
town.
There is also great need Of reform
in the matter of fat car wheels. of which
noise producing and nerve racking me-
diums the two street railroad companies
IN Washington are very much given 10
the use of. II must be Of great benefit
to those citizens who reside upon the
lines of these roads, as well as to those
who ride on the jolting cars, If the board
of health in Washington would pursue
the course adopted by the board of health
In New York. and have inspectors whose
duty il is to watch the street railroad
..ars and Huhn., nat urhnoIa nrn fn---- I