National Republican., 1876-04-13
Iv,ning Session.
DISTRICT RAILWAYS.
J. F. Russell and the Union Connection.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., April Il, 1876
To the Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: Justice to myself compels a brief response
to the communication of Gideon L. Walker, con-
tanned in your issue Of the llth instant.
Mr.. Walker does not deny that his bill, which
you SO ably and justly reviewed, asked the assent
of Congress to the right Of way for a railroad
through South Z street, but endeavors to
shield himself from the force OF your eogent and
convincing argument against this additional bur
then on long-suhering people by saying, " Our
bill, as amended, proposes to connect with the
Baltimore and Potomac road, near the Navy Yard
tunnel, running thence west along X street south
to Water street." &C.. but omits to state that his
amended bill is still in the incipiency of his own
gigantic intellect, and that no such measure has
yet come before Congress or the public.
8 Concerning the thorough impraeticability Of
Mr.. Walkers route across the northern boundary
of he city by tunnel little need be said 1t would
afford but remote solution Of the railroad prob
bridge TO Howard University, distance Of fully
two miles, in an air line the greater part Of this
requiring not less than ten years for its construc
tion, and at probable cost exceeding three mil
lion dollars. Mr.. Walker has admitted before the
House District Committee that he has nothing
but brains to expend in this vast undertaking,
and It is extremely doubtful If any corporation
Of sane individuals could be induced for a moment
tempt to carry 1t out.
1t doubtless news to many of your readers
that railroads have been nuisance f. the District
for eighty-hye years. Surely no other locality has
so long been afflicted. The first steam railroads
were started in France, In 1925, by NJ. Seguin,
from ROanne to st. Etienne and from st. Etienne
to Lyons. The Baltimore and Ohi0rOad was CON-
menced in 1928.
Mr.. Walker is pleased to refer in cOntemptuous
tone to the western commencement Of the Union
railway OF Washington, Georgetown and North
ern Virginia, showing that there are many things
in the location of the Virginia railroad system.
with which a connection is most desirable, Of
which he is in total ignorance. He shows no bet
ter acquaintance with the 'lOw grounds" lying
between Georgetown and the Little Falls when
he rdcules the idea of locating railroad between
the canal and the river.
As to the location Of the depot, sat or near the
intersection of Seventeenth street and b street
southwest" II there are objections to the actual
point Of intersection, any position between B
street and the river front will be sufficiently near
Had Mr.. Walker any acquaintance with South
Washington or with the bill he attempts to criti-
else he would know that such language as he uses
in describing the route of road in that section
Sa nne % ta rn tber road aonS The ryep
and Water street to h street, thence TO connect
with the Baltimore and Potomac road at street
Virginia avenues" sc. Any connection Of a road
from X street south to Z street south would be
worse than ridiculous as the streets are separated
by distance of seven blocks The language Of
the bill is, "thence east along X street south to
Second (not c. street" How Mr.. Walker can
%he he admits thai he came 10 my Oe WITH
out invitation from any authorized person, is more
than can understand.
While Mr.. Walker is anxious lest the rights of
individual property holders should be invaded, he
entirely neglects to state that our bill is more
than usually restricted in its powers Of condem-
nation, giving the utmost opportunity for every
one owning property desired by the road to obtain
its fullest valuation; powers which are much more
restricted than those Of the general incorporation
act under which he claims to organize. He is
also silent on the land grant contained in his BILL
Congress being asked to give his company quit
claim deed to all the river front south Ches
apeake and Ohio canal. The Union Railway Com
pany Of Washington, Georgetown and Northern
Virginia asks nothing that It is not willing and
able to pay literally for the simple privilege
from Congress to be allowed to build q much
needed railroad connection.
Very respectfully, J. T. RUSSELL.