Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04
FACING A PROBLEM
Tracks to the Navy Yard May
Be Removed.
THERE NOW BY INJUNCTION
Restraining Order Will Expire Next
May-Remedies Suggested to
Meet the Case.

The authorities Of the Washington navy
yard are facing. a problem. Railroad
traffic with the naval gun factory will
be cut off May q unless action IS taken
by Congress in the meantime.
The act of Congress Of May q. 1908
directed the Philadelphia. Baltimore and
Washington Railroad Company to build
at its own expense a branch track from
Its main line near the Pennsylvania ave-
nue. bridge, along the river front. to the
southeast corner of the navy yard. This
statute required the company to begin
work within six months, and to complete
1t within two years from the date of the
act, and authorized the company, pend
ing such construction, to maintain its
present track connection, which enters
the yard near the northwest corner at
grade.
The company declined to build the
branch line under the conditions imposed
by Congress. Before the act OF May 81
1908. was passed. however the govern
ment had obtained from the Supreme
Court of the District OF Columbia an
order restraining the company from its
then contemplated action Of removing the
existing tracks. and this injunction has
been continued in effect until May y,
1910.
The authorities are therefore anxious
as to the approach of May q next, when
unless there be further legislation In the
meantime the present grade tracks will
be torn up and the navy yard left with
ttngency the reshipment of the guns, ETC..
by water may become necessary.
1t liz argued by some officials that the
failure of Congress to continue by act
the present track connection of the p, B.
& w. Railroad Company which enters
the navy yard near its northwest corner
at grade. will mean that work in the es-
Establishment will have to be closed down.
or that some means will have to be de-
vised by which the products Of the gun
factory may be taken from the yard
and PLACID upon railroad cars.
Consideration of Remedies.
1t is said that Rear Admiral Eugene
III. G. Leutze. commandant of the navy
yard. is at work on a plan for solving
the problem. Just what his proposition
Is has not yet developed.
The Secretary of the Navy says the
two possible remedies are the retention
OF the present tracks by authority OF Con-
gress or the building of a branch line by
the government. 1t Is estimated that to
build such line will cost about $3O3, 600.
Another proposition that has been sug-
gested is to limit traffic the existing
branch line to two hours in the night or
early morning.
Grade Crossing Opposed.
Opposition to the continuance of the
grade crossing entrance to the navy yard
was made not only by the Commissioners,
but by citizens Of the southeast section
of the city. They asserted that the tracks
OF the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash
ington railroad running along Canal and
K streets to the tunnel furnish the only
remaining grade crossings within the
limits OF the city.
The tracks made long curve at one
point. and this has been designated as
Dead Mans Curve by those who are
opposed to a continuation of the present
arrangement.
While these arguments are being en-
ployed by the Commissioners and citizens,
the fact has not been lost sight of that
it Is absolutely necessary that the navy
yard should have, without interruption,
connections with the railroad. in order
that the big guns and gun equipment
made and repaired or Overhauled at the
yard may be properly sent to their points
OF destination. To interrupt this traffic
would be disastrous. it is pointed out.
Hence the authorities Of the Navy De-
partment and the navy yard are anxiously
casting about to find some means of solv-
ing the problem that confronts them.