Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-01
THE METROPOLITAN RAILROAD

Aub hhIhOPOLlTAN kAILB0AD.
IN the present stagnat OF business, we are
glad 10 be able to congratulate this communi.
~ upon the prospect OF the immediate com.
mencement OF an enterprise that will no< only
furnish employing to a large number of our
citizens, ano cause the expenditure of a large
amount Of money in our midst. but that will
open up TO US business connections and an OK.
tent OF trade tina. If rightly improved will en-
able us promptly to take position amongst the
thriving business communities OF the country
Lit is understood that If q satisfactory right of
way be granted by this city, the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company will at once com
mence the construction Of the road from Wash
ington to the Point of Rocks: and that il will
employ large amount of labor for the prose
eution Of the work in the immediate vicinity
OF Washington. 1t is the design of the com.
pany to press the construction of the road from
Washington to Rockville as rapidly as prar.
ticable, so as to open for local business and
the convenience OF the people OF the citv of
washington and Montgomery county Md a
line OF travel from that point, as well as to af
ford facilities for the transportation of mar
keting and other supplies. 1t will be the poI
cy Of the railroad company we learn, to afford
every facility TO induce the location of q largo
population upon the route between Washing.
ton and the Point Of Rocks, SO as to de yelop
an extensive local business
The important fact that the company is po,y
ready TO commence operations on the read being
settled, the next question of interest to our
citizens, and one deemed OF vital importance :.
as TO the route by which the Metropolitan Road
shall enter our boundaries We believe that
the railroad company would prefer to connect
the Metropolitan Branch with the Washington
Branch At Bladensburg, or still farther east
near or At Laurel, and thus use the Washing
ton Branch Road as the line Of entrace into the
city. This route would be some what moro
circuitous than by one leading into the CITY
direct from Rockville but it would en- able the
company to use the Washington Branch for
considerable distance, and also to avoid the
heavy expense incident to constructing a rail-
road within the limits of q city, conforming
the grade OF the road to the grade Of the streets,
&c, &c.
In entering by this route the COMPANY are
also saved the delay Of applying to the coun.
ellis for the right Of way. The ad yantases.
however, 10 the city OF having the road strike
Washington by direct line from Rockville
have been so apparent that very urgent an
peal has been made to the company through
the city press and otherwise to change their
purpose. The city desires to open M new
district Of market supply, precisely such as
this road, running directly from the Point of
Rocks 10 Washington would open MP to ms. 1,
is also Of great importance that we should have
The shortest possible connection with the Great
West and with the rich ysilies of Virginia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Apprehensaons
have also been expressed that If the road be
built SO as to connect with the Washington
branch at Bladensburg or Laurel, portion OF
the traffic OF the road might be diverted to Bal.
timore; whereas, IL 1t come directly into the
city Of Washington, the advantages Of the road
will inure exclusively to this community. In
every way It is felt to be matter OF the first
importance to the interests Of this community
that the road should enter Washington in q di.
rect line, and not circuitousiy via Laurel or
Bladensburg. We learn that the company.
yielding 70 the urgent representations made by
Mayor Wallach In behalf of the interests of this
city, have expressed a willingness to change
their plans and enter the city bv the direct
route II the requisite enabling legislatioA can be
had from our City Councils in season not to
delay the work upon the road. They propose
that the road shall enter the city at the inter.
section OF the northern boundary and New
York avenue, crossing the avenue and passing
through the northwest corner Of square 7l0 to
LIST street east, thence along the center OF that
street TO the present track OF the Washington
Branch Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and
along the route OF that track to the present sta.
ton on the east side Of New Jersey avenue. As
regards the location of the station no place could
probably be found that would accommodate
the people Of all parts Of the city, As well As
the present station OF the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. The position is central, streets
radiate from II In all directions, and IL is
crossed by the two street railway lines, afford
ing greater facilities for the influx and eniux
Of passengers and freight than any other with.
in our knowledge. The idea Of locating the
station on the suburbs Of the city has been
suggested, but meets with no favor so far as
we know, except from hackdriyers and specu.
lators in suburban lots. IT the present station
be used, great economy will result to ,Se citi.
zens OF Washington, and to farmers and gar.
deners who may use the road, as well as to the
general travel, in having point so convenient
and economical for the distribution of their
products and for their general purposes
We sincerely trust that the legislation reqai.
cite by the City Councils to set this important
enterprise In active motion will be speedily
consummated, and that we may soon hear the
ring Of the pick and the spade upon the work
During the period when employment is so
scarce, and 90 large number Of laborsrs are
unemployed. the heavy expenditures connect
ed with the construction Of the road cannot
fail to be OF great advantage to the mercantile
and general interests Of Washington. The
road from Weavertown, (nesr the Point of
Rocka.) on the main stem Of the Baltimore and
Ohio road, to Hagerstown. II being rapidly
constructed. and upon the opening Of the Me.
tropoIitan Branch the citizens OF Washington
will not only have short, economical and di. .
rect communication with the entire West and
North west by the Baltimore and Ohio road
and Its ParkersburG branch, but will also
have the great advantage Of this very de-
sirable and short route to the fer
tile and wealthy regions OF Washington
county, HID, and the Cumberland valley. and
other Of the richest portions of the State of
Pennsylvania by this Hagerstown branch. An
immense increase In the supplies OF agricaltu-
raj pIodQfts, and OF tIAYel ana trafic zen.