The Washington herald., 1911-02-26

"A vehicle crossing the tracks is liable to
sustain a wrenched wheel or even worse.
The railway company has failed to pave
and keep in repair sections, blocks in
length, although they are required to by
the District laws"
Upon investigation by a Washington
Herald reporter, the complaint of the citi-
Zens associations were proved to be
founded on facts. Down the entire length
of Pennsylvania avenue holes in the con-
crete between and near the tracks were
discovered at irregular intervals, IN most
instances being below Seventh street
while near the Peace Monument the pave
ment was found to be in bad condition
and in need Of repair.
Nearly every line in the city, except
those which were repaved with creosote
blocks In the summer were found to
have large and small cavities in and
near the rails, making the whole street
unsightly.
The pavement in e street, between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, is
broken up by big, gaping holes, danger
Gus to traffic. and no repairs have been
made in months, the complaint goes on
to say.
Horse Owners Complain.
The same conditions prevail at the in
tersection of Fifteenth street and Penn
syIvania and in front of the Treasury.
Horse owners say that it is possible for
an animal to break its leg by stepping on
the edge of one of these cavities, some
of which are four or five inches deep,
making regular reservoirs on stormy
days.
The law OF the franchise covering the
case, which, the Commissioners say, has
been carried out as far as practicable,
is as follows:
That when any street or avenue
through which a street railway runs
shall be paved such company shall bear
all tho expense for that portion of the
work lying between the exterior rails of
the tracks of such roads and for dis
tance of two feet from and exterior to
the tracks on each side thereof, and of
keeping the same in repair.
Furthermore, that if any street rail-
way company shall neglect or refuse to
perform the work required by this act.
said pavement shall be laid between the
tracks and exterior thereto of such rail-
way by the District of Columbia and
that if the company refuse to pay the
sum due the District for the work done
as aforesaid. the Commissioners shall is
sue certificates of Indebtedness against
the property, real or personal, of such
companies"
Founded on Facts.
Capt. Mark Brooke, Assistant Engineer
Commissioner who has charge of the
asphalt work, acknowledged that COM
plants were justified and founded on
facts, giving a reason for the neglect on
the part of the car companies.
Up to six months ago the repairing
for the railroads was done by the Com
missioners, who charged such labor to
the companies" said Capt Brooke. LAS
We could not do the work as cheaply
preached by them and asked to turn
over such repairing to their gangs, as
they were of the opinion that under their
management the work could be per-
formed satisfactorily and at a much less
expense.
Il have no idea but the repairing
was accomplished at less cost, but it was
not done as thoroughly as when this de-
partment had charge
1t was further explained that in some
instances the seeming neglect of pave
ments and repairs thereto was put of
for the reason that this spring the Com
missioners intend to install a new system
of pavements on certain streets on which
there are car tracks. and the railway
companies were of the opinion that re-
pairs could wait until this was done,
saving them much expense.
If the car companies do not remedy
their sectiA of pavements, the Com
missioners will do the work in a proper
manner" Capt. Brooke said.
Plant Closed Down.
He stated that for a month the Dis
trict asphalt plant had been closed down.
and little work had been done on the
streets. 1t was understood. however. that
a week from next Monday the plant will
again be in operation and gangs sent out
over the city on repair work.
Citizens who have complained to their
respective associations charge that of
the miles OF railway in the District, not
over n third is properly taken care of
in regard to ruptured paving.
The city of Norfolk has recently sued
the railway companies to recover a sum
said TO be in excess of $4,000 for neglect
to keep in adequate repair the pavements
in and surrounding their tracks.
The Interstate Commerce Commission is
powerless to act in behalf of the citizens
of Washington on paving complaint, as
1t has no jurisdiction over the paving
question.