Evening star., 1937-08-01
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star


1887, notes menace to the citys shade
Barking Trees in the ..horse and
Horse and Buggy Days. buggy days"
automobile parking problem had arisen:
Complaints have recently been made
about persons leaving horses standing on
the streets, near the curb lines, with no
one TO look after them, in consequence of
which the animals gnaw the bark off the
shade trees. On First street near the
District Building the bark has been bit
ten from several trees and the policemen
on the beat were notified to arrest all
persons whose animals were found in
juring trees. Several persons have been
arrested in consequence and fined This
morning George Roberts and James
Brown, employees of the District govern
ment, drove their teams up near the
building and left them and the horses
soon began biting the bark from the
trees Officer Wall. who was on duty at
the time, arrested the persons named
and Judge Smell fined them IS EACH"
The Commissioners are to report
plan, or route, for the steam railroads of
Officials and the senate com,oi,-
Railroad Nuisance tee, which meets
here in Novem-
ber." says The Star Of July 27, 1887. "A
better opportunity has seldom been given
to municipal rulers to advance the real
interests of the city whose affairs they
direct. Public opinion views the streets
and reservations Of this city as at the
mercy of its two great railroad systems,
and attributes the failure Of the roads in
the past to seize everything in sight not
to the reStra intS of an Indifferent Con-
gresS or timd Commissioners. but to the
jealousies of the rival corporations. The
route suggested by the present Commits
sioners at the last session of Congress
in'order to elicit discussion. while it has
its good points. maintains and enlarges
| the evil of railroad occupation Of the
Mall and OF important streets and ave-
| nues Of South Washington, and in the
| feature of the location of the Union de-
| pot, has received and will always receive
| the bitterest opposition from the people
| of Washington.
IT the Commissioners in the light Of
| the desired discussion of the subject last
| session. will boldly approach the ques-
| ton from the point Of view Of this COM
| munity, point out to the Senate COM
mittee the illegal occupation of public
| land by both the railroad systems and
| suggest common route and a union
depot which, without entirely sacrificing
public convenience, will do the least
| damage to Northeast and South WASH
ington and will preserve the beauty Of
| the city in its intended unbroken line Of
| public reservations, something prac-
| ticable may be accomplished through
| their report. 1t has been recognized in
| the Senate that these roads have no
| vested rights in much of the public
ground which they have occupied and
| that body has recently shown unusual
| interest in the railroad usurpations in
the matter Of regulating the routes in
| the city and Of establishing a union de-
| pot. Public sentiment on the subject is
aroused and organized The Commits
| sioners, as the official representatives of
| the District, by making themselves the
| bold and faithful representatives of the
| community in this matter, can render
| Washington efficient service When
| necessary restrictions are to be placed
upon powerful corporations, all good citi-
zens must pull together for the public
| good"