The Washington times., 1907-11-19
STATION BLOCKED
ON OPENING DAY,
ALL TRAINS LATE
Passengers Crowd New
Building While Tracks
Are Clearing.
School Children Among
Those Delayed by the
Congestion.

Confusion is the order OF the day at
the Union station. 1t is doubtful II any
Of the dozens OF trains has reached the
shed on time since Saturday night, and
Il is certain that none Of them depart
ed at the scheduled hour. The delays
were especially numerous and lengthy
last night, and in some instances trains
were i've or six hours behind. time in
arriving and departing.
IN front of all the gates blocking pass
age to the train shed stood travel-weary,
complaining and belated passengers
who spoke more forcefully than elegant
ly about the bitches In getting trains n
and out of the sned.
Congestion in Yards.
Stationmaster W. G. RoDey. formerly
OF the Baltimore and Ohio station said
that few, If any trains have left on
time since the station opened. He at
tributed the delays to congestion IN
the Union station yards. north and east
OF First and "a streets northeast
There haA been considerable delay
IN handling rains since Sunday morn
lid Stationmaster Robey, but
10 have everything running
within Che next day or two.
-.. .ngines have been piled up in
lay and night and a great
..a hitting has been necessary.
running into the Union sta
he switches are new TO the
they cannot make the same
them as they could over
n which they were perfectly
that on several occasions
Iia trains were let in on the
and Ohio tracks, Southern
cred on the Chesapeake and
The Pennsylvania trains
on the SeabOard Air Line
ad many similar mistakes
When this happened 10 was
TO run the trains back into
o be switched to the proper
the meantime another train
0uld be let into the sta ion
further confusion.
Came Engine First.
minimizing the announcement
that no train would be allowed to pull
into the station engine first this was
done, because Of the congestion and
confusion. Cars and locomotives were
congested in the yard on the sidings Sc
that incoming trains were halted FOR
from one TO three hours waiting for the
track 70 be cleared. This also delayed
the outgoing trains. Many persons
complained OF having lost their connec.
ton IN Southern and Western cities be.
cause OF the delay here.
The Baltimore and Ohio train SEIZED
uled 10 leave for Ardwick. Nd, and in
termediate points at 4 o. clock yesterday
afternoon did not pull out until after
last night. Fifty or more school bows
and girls who live in Maryland, but
RI nF TrFf fHHH IN
station before 4 o'clock waiting for the
train. They stood around and waited
joking, romping and singing. until they
became hungry and complained. A
kind-nearted gentleman who was in the
station waiting for a delayed New York
train invited all the children into the
cafe OF the station and gave them food
Detectives Evans and Warren. OF the
Central Ohice, detailed at the station
said last night; when Il was an
nounced that the Ardwick train was
ready to start, those kids and the uner
and women shouted and yelled like 2Ol
COmancne Indians, and piled on the
train in less time than It takes to tel
about it
Other Trains Late.
= The Southern train going to Cbatta.
nooga, scheduled 70 leave at $50 O'Clock
last night, did not depart until after
midnight
Can / get to Pittsburg tonight p
asked a commercial traveller at the bu,
Teau OF information.
Train scheduled for Io:4O." said the
lad.
Casting his eyes at the hands OF tn,
clock which registered 11:55, the drum.
mer frOwned, grabbed his suit case. ant
ran to a nearby buffet.
What time does the 10:40 for BaltI
more, Philadelphia. and New Yorl
leaveY' asked another traveller
Haven't any idea" replied the Lao
The trains ara leaving wnen they ge
the track cleared"
WaShin gtOnians who had planned Il
reach the city yesterday morning die
not arrive until after noon. The after
noon trains. coming and going, arrives
and departed hours after dark, anC
those scheduled TO leave last night al,
not pull out until early this morning
Throughout the entire twenty-fOu
hours, Station Master Robey and his SIT
4 ssistants were constantly questione.
about trains but were unable to tell tn
hour OF arrival OF any of them. Even tn
Congressional limited was two hour
late. The Chicago, Plttsburg. an,
Wheeling train, due at 1925, arrive,
after u. and similar delays were re
ported.