The Washington herald., 1910-08-23

explained this matter fully 90 your engineer.
Mr. Crosby and several members Of your board.
scme months ago. Nothing has been done 20
1cmedy this dangerous condition Of the channel
and I write 10 you in order 20 put the matter q
this menace TO life and property on record and
In definite shape.
There arc also other items Of Improvement ur-
gently necdcd On the Bladensburg road;
FiSr-The sides of the road for long distances
arc INSTRUCTED with overhanging limbs q tres,
brush and other vegetation which l. seriously ob-
icctiOnabe 20 the safe use Of the road
Second-The macadam road surface has been torn
ont I'm many places
Third-The Bladenshurs road bridge needs scrap
ing and painting.
In order that you NAV have a definite proposal
before you as a basis for estimate Tor these ur-
gently needed repairs and Improvements ] submit
on behalf Of this railroad company estimate
Of $50 for removing all vegetation from the Island
near and under the bridge and leyeling u 40 a.
greatly 90 reduce the obstruction 10 tho channel
One hundred snd hfty dollars for trimming all the
trees and removing brush and weeds from the
night Of way from the District line 20 Badensburs
bridge. and $50 for hling holes now in the road
with crushed stone. Two hundred and nifty dol
lars for painting highway bridge
In the Interest of Patronage
This railroad company IS Of c,,--se greatly inter
ested in the improvement because many thousand
people viii 90 out on the railroad soon as cars
We do not wish the public 70 get an unfavorable
IMPRESSION q this important public highway and u
/ this section Of Maryland
/ The present condition Of 'he Bl1dcnsburg road
the rusty bridge and the Distracted channel q the
stream ara not only menace % the safety Of those
who travel the highway On. indirectly injustice
% oTlry who lives owns property in that sec
ton Of Prince George County.
II is true that the railroad OCCUPIES portion q
the BladcnSburT road by authority q the general
assembly Of Maryland out there Is certainly no just
/ reason 20 expect the railroad company 20 eNpend
| money in the maintenance Of the portion Of the
public highway not used by IT'S track
/ Although authorized by the general assembly II
Maryland TO build Its track the existing bridges.
\ tho railroad company decided 10 build a bridge o.
/ It's own. which is higher and decidedly more sub
stsntial than the highway bridge which shows
/ great neglect in respect 20 It's maintenance.
After The island above rcfeuCd 20 is removed. the
grade Of the highway east Of the bridge should be
raiscd several feet. In this improvement the rail
road company win gladly cooperate with the com
mission with such di5ision Of the expense as may
} be equitable.
Ready for Operation.
The new electric road 20 BIadensburg
is now practically completed. and It is
expected that it will be put IN operation
to-day.
Commenting upon the condition Of the
Bladensburg road. the Maryland Repor-
! ter criticises the District officials for lack
OF attention to It. It saws
The road seems to have escaped the notice Of the
District officials entirely. There are a number Of
dead trees standing in the roadway which may at
| any time blow over and seriously injure some one
| or possibly kill them OF their team Nearly ali Of
/ the trees have been so neglected that their limbs
oyerhang the road and damage the tops Of carriages
ard motor vehicles. Farmers can scarcely pass each
other on the road without the danger Of having
large part Of their load swept from their wagons
Why should this road be neglected Is not thi:
road Just as important any other leading 20 the
Capital? Business men are constantly looking fOi
the suburban trade Of Hyattsyile and vicinity. and
this is one Of the reasons why they dont get more
Of It. Drivers Of motor cars are seeking other roads
That is all night for the motorist who does nos
care for few miles distance; but 20 the farmer
with large load Of produce for market and tired
horse every mile is a big item.
The underground Of scrub brush and weeds alonl
the road is. to say the least very unsightly. ant
the sidewalks where thsre any fun Of rnts and
holes. From its general appearance one would say L
receives the least attention Of any road leading ou
! Of Washington.
Some day. when the District officials their road
inspector have a day Of. they would do well L
come out and take a look