Evening star., 1928-03-18
SIDING ATTACKED
At TAK0MA PARK
Hearing Set for Tomorrow
to Air Controversy on
B. & O. Spur.

That the fight between citizens and
taxpayers of Takoma Park, Md, over
continuance OF the Baltimore g. Ohio
Railroad siding at North Takoma has
| only just begun Is shown by the activ-
| tiles of opponents of the siding, who
are planning what promises to be one
of the largest demonstrations ever
staged before the mayor and Town
Council OF that community tomorrow
night
The mayor and council had before
II at Its last meeting and has conSid-
cred at several earlier meetings, pro-
tests OF the citizens affected by the
siding, who complained of 1t as a nui-
sance, declaring it was no longer
needed and was hurting adjacent prop
erty values. These property owners
asked the town government to take
steps TO protect not only the town prop
efty out residential property of the
proteStants.
Siding Is Approved.
Action was deferred at the last meet
ing OF the council at the request of II.
Is. Hendrlck. vice president of the Ia
koma Park Chamber of Commerce. and
at the last meeting of that organiza-
| tlon resolution was adopted urging
continuance OF the siding as a benefit
to commercial interests.
Ine action OF the chamber has pro-
duced considerable backfire among
property owners who are protesting the
sizing and since that date opponents
OF the siding have been circulating De-
| titions and strengthening their forces
Tor the attack at the council meeting
tomorrow night.
| The siding is still used to unload
| freight shipments for Walter Reed Hos.
| cital 1t is estimated by freight Of
| iclals that so per cent of the freight
unloaded at this siding is for the hos.
| pital Hospital officials however, have
stated that freight could just as well be
unloaded Mt Silver Spring In the event
the council abolishes this siding.
Circulate Hand Bills.
! Not content with circulating petit
| tions. the forces opposed to the siding
have circulated hand bills throughout
| the town of Takoma Park reading as
! follows:
| 81. Shall the town of Takoma Park
Md, protect and improve its park prop
| erty?
90 Is the North Takoma freight
| siding nuisance. damaging the town:
| park property and the residential area
adjacent TO the siding?
| "3. Is 1t necessary to abandon the
| freight siding to insure the proper
| treatment OF the entire area from q
| park planning and zoning standpoint;
| "A number Of interested and affected
| property owners In the area believe that
| the answer TO each OF these question:
| Is Yes.
They are planning to appeal to tn,
mayor and council at It's next regular
| meeting TO be held in the basement oi
| the Presbyterian Church tomorrow
| evening at 8 O'Clock.
Urged TO Give Views.
The community Is vitality interested
| In the question and all citizens art
urgently requested TO attend and make
| their views known TO the council. J
| Bond Smith, corporation counsel FOL
the town OF Takoma Park and genera
counsel for the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission
| has promised to address the council
! on these questions and other speakers
! are expected to do likewise.
| This hand bill is ordered and paid
| for by interested and affected citizens.
| The council may prevent the use oi
| the siding. 1t Is contended, by posting
| no trespaSsing' signs over the town
| property. which would prevent trucks
using the siding. thus forcing its aban.
| donment This property was dedicated
| TO the town years ago for park pur-
| poses, but has never been used.