Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-19
CROSSING MENACE
HIT BY z OTHERS
William {. Rabenhorst and
John F. HiIIyard for Michi-
gan Avenue Project.

Insistent that the hazardous Michi-
gan avenue grade crossing near the
Catholic University of America, affect
ing the tracks Of the Baltimore g. Ohio
Railroad Co., be eliminated, two addi-
tional voices of civic leaders have been
raised against this menace.
william E. Rabenhorst, president Of
the Burroughs Citizens Association,
who lives at Eighteenth and Kearney
streets northeast, was one of the lead
ers in the fight against closing Michigan
avenue at the grade crossing, as had
been proposed. The pending District
appropriation bill provides that Michi-
gan avenue shall remain as at present.
Mr.. Rabenhorst is anxious to have the
grade crossing hazard there eliminated
at once.
His association Is In favor of doing
away with the Michigan avenue grade
crossing, Mr.. Rabenhorst insisted, but
desires to keep Michigan avenue, with
out having to 60 over Monroe street.
The argument seems to be, he explained,
just why spend so much money in
Strengthening out Michigan avenue IN
the vicinity of Soldiers Home and then
put three more, kinks in it, as was
proposed.
Mr.. Rabenhorst said that he is in
favor of widening Monroe street, but in
no way to take the place of Michigan
avenue. There should be an overhead
crossing at the avenue, wherever 1t
would be best, after Michigan avenue
has been Strengthened. If not at the
present crossing, then wherever 1t is
most suitable, he said.
Question of Safety.
With reference to the figures that
the Michigan avenue project would cost
100000 while the Monroe street pro-
gram would cost only $l35,000, Mr.
Rabenhorst asserted that this is ques-
ton of safety rather than of saving
money. His organization does not want
to see loss of life at the Michigan
avenue grade crossing, such as occurred
at the Lamond and Chestnut street
crossings, he said.
when you are counting on the risk
of life and elimination of this hazard
expense Is rather secondary conSid-
Grafton" Mr.. Rabenhorst asserted, cit
ing the case of fire escapes for school
children and employees in factories
pense, but still are made part of the
equipment.
Mr.. Rabenhorst said that he has
lived In that region for 10 years, but
has never seen the danger of narrow
bridge at Monroe street, although he Is
In favor of this project If really needed
washington has been rather fortunate
at the Michigan avenue grade crossing
Mr.. Rabenhorst asserted, in not having
loss of life, but 1--WE do not want this
to happen" he added, with emphasis.
Views of John r. Hillyard.
While declining to express any opin-
ion on the Monroe street overpaSs, les
friendly feeling be disturbed, John F
Hillyard, secretary of the Michigan
Park Citizens Association, had no hest
fancy in insisting that Michigan avenue
be improved by Strengthening 1t acros:
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad track;
and constructing suitable overpass al
that point, and that the work be done
, Immediately. He wants to know why
the government cannot go ahead anc
complete the Michigan avenue project
on which it has already started few
blocks away from the grade crossing.
The Michigan Park area Is entitlcc
to consideration in this matter, he says
for it is rapidly growing section
Elimination of the Michigan avenu'
grade crossing is needed now, but wher
the area expands 1t will be needed more
than ever. AS an index of the rapidly
growing area represented by his asso'
citation, Mr.. Hillyard, who lives at 43O'
Thirteenth place northeast, cites theS'
points: A real estate firm Is putting
| up $50 homes on q subdivision tina
embraces some 90 acres, two new col
leges are under construction, a $3.50 ,00I
home for children is being erected ant
| in general the area is being rapid!
populated. The Franciscan Monaster!
likewise has a development program
under way.
The Michigan Park Citizens Associa
| ton is interested in pushing the Mich
| gan avenue viaduct and has taken tn
matter up with the Washington Boar
of Trade and the Washington Chanbe
of Commerce, the Ee1Rte and HouS
committees that are interested, the Dis
trict Commissioners and the Federation
Of Citizens Associations.