Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-15
IN SOUTH WASHINGTON
ALLEGED ENCOURAGEMENT ON
PUBLIC SPACE DISCUSSED.

Alleged encroachment of the railroad
companies upon the parknSs of Southwest
Washington was the principal theme Of
discussion at the meeting of the South
west Washington Citizens Association,
held last evening in Grace Parish Hall, 9th
and d streets southeast. After the meet
ing had been called to order at s o'clock
by the president, Mr.. w. A H. Church,
Mr.. Frank B. Gilmore, the secretary,
read a letter from Secretary Tindall of the
board of District Commissioners relative
to the resolutions passed at the last meet
ing of the association requesting to be IN
formed what authority of law, if any, eX-
lists for the construction of walls by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the
support of tracks on the public space on
Virginia avenue between I'd and 9th streets
southwest and on the west side of AZ
street between and ID streets southwest.
In his reply DIR. TindaH said: The au-
thorty of the Commissioners to approve
the plans providing for the character of
the crossings of the various streets under
and over the railroad tracks in the south
west section is contained in the acts of
Congress approved February II, 1901, pro-
vidng for the elimination of grade cross
ings on the line of the Philadelphia, Baltl-
more and Washington railroad, and the
act of Congress, approved February %,
1903, providing for the union station, and
the act of Congress- approved February
- 1.UJ, amending tile HTSl-Hdllltu dct,
which provides that the plans and protiles,
made from time to time with the approval
of the Commissioners, be modified or
changed by the railroad company, and
thereafter the work shall be done in &C
cordance with the said modified or
changed plans and profiles.
I'm some cases the plans provide that
roadways of the streets should be carried
over the railroad and in other cases under
meath. In no instance does the width of
the roadways of such streets remain the
same the street proper One reason
for this is that wagons are not required to
stop either over under the bridges,
which are meant for passageways only,
and there being no need of access to any
buildings adjacent to these portions of the
street.
LAS to the occupation of the parking by
the walls, it may be said that by the terms
of the acts providing for the elimination
of grade crossings the structures of the
railroad companies are required to be
built above or below the street proper and
it is necessary that access be had to them
by the public having business with the
railroad company.
Access is granted by the Commissioners
in the case of private property by the use
of driveways and walks, and this is all
that is being done by allowing the railroad
company to construct walls sufficient to
permit roadways to reach the level of their
freight stations and other buildings. No
part of the buildings of the railroad COM
pany allowed to be built outside of the
building line.
TT is not considered by the Commission
ersthat the public is in any way incon-
venienced by allowing such access, but, on
the contrary, those who patronize the
freight sheds Of the railroad companies en-
joy much convenience by reason of these
constructions. The full width of the side
walks of the roadways of the streets have
always been left.
Further, If more parking were left out
side of such walls it would be difficult to
keep such parking clean and in good shape,
as can be readily seen by an inspection of
one or two cases where the wall has been
constructed back of the sidewalk line. The
Commissioners before approving the plans
involving this construction gave careful
consideration to all the interests concerned
and believe that the rights of the public
have been amply guarded by this method
of treating the situation"
Later the members of the associate took
up the discussion of Senate bill 7165 to regu-
late the width of parking, sidewalks, road
ways and carriageWays in the District of
Columbia and disapproved of it.
The election of the officers to serve during
the ensuing year was then held. Mr.. W. A.
H. Church, who has been president for two
years, was urged to stand for reelection,
son, the first vice president, was thereupon
proposed for the office, but declined, saying
he would rather serve in the ranks. Mr..
r. H. Johnson was then elected.
The other officers chosen were as follows:
DR.. Willard Thompson, vice president:
Frank B. Gilmore, secretary, the latter two
being elected each for fifth term. Mr..
Church then invited the members to the N
Auth Provision Company's plant in the
southwest where they were treated to a
bountiful spread. Later Mr. John N. Auth
took the guests over the large plant of the
company and explained in detail the proc
esses employed in the establishment.