Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-13
The Union Depot.


RAILROAD ROUTES THROUGH THE CITY.
An act was passed by Congress at the last ses-
sion authorizing the District Commissioners to
recommend suitable site for an union railway
depot In this city. or, if in their judgment they
shall think 1t better to have two depots one in the
northern part OF the city and the other in the
southern, to select the sites and make report ac-
compan1ed by platS on the first Monday in Decem-
Der and bill containing such other suggestions
as may occur to them In accordance with this
act Major Twin1ng has prepared a report In which
he says, after referring to the Inconvenience caused
by the lines entering the city at present, that he is
In FAVOR OF a common central station being eStab-
shed at the nearest practical point to the business
interests OF the city, that this depot should be
reached by lines either above or below the eStab-
ished grades OF the several streets to be occupied
OF and that the Of the Potomac
upon reasonable conditions He recommends,
however, that the building OF this depot should
not In any way interfere with the location OF any
other depOts that may be necessary in the future
The proper point, in his estimation for the river
to be crossed is at the foot OF Maryland avenue
and he urges the removal OF the present Long
bridge. The site selected should be some point
west OF 9th street and south OF street southwest
and after giving his pro con on several
lore recommend that point at or near the inter-
section OF Maryland and Virginia avenues be
selected as place for the union depot" The cost
10 the Baltimore and Potomac railroad Is esti-
mated TO be $4O5. 1893 95 to the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad $3.50; total for combined roads west
OF New Jersey avenue 81 0OO, ,551.54. With the re-
port is transmitted draft OF a bill and several
plans and sections.
The Commissioners sent the report of Major
IWlnlng to Congress to-day, accompanied by the
following letter:
OFFICE OF THR COMMISSIONERS
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON, December 5, 1881.
Hon. Ddrid DdriS, President Pro 7enpOre U. S.
sIR-The Commissioners have the honor, in obe-
dience to the requirements OF the act OF Congress
entitled IAN act to authorize the Commissioners
OF the District OF Columbia to recommend proper
site for union railroad depot in the city of Wash
ington, and for other purposes" approved Febru-
airy %, 1884, to transmit herewith to Congress the
report in detail OF the Engineer Comr' issOner OF
the District ON this important subject This report
into effect the plans and recommendations of the
engineer, and both are based Oh the assumption
road are to remain as at present, on Virginia and
Maryland avenues, and that the railroad crossing
OF the Potomac river is to be, as at present, on
press conclude to make these avenues and this
bridge the permanent line OF railroad communtca-
tiOn, connecting the northern and southern routes
1t is believed that no better solution of the problem
presented can be offered But while the Commits
soners are of opinion that the public interests will
DE best promoted by common station for the sew
eral roads that enter or may enter the District.
and by the location OF this station as nearly as can
center OF population and business in the District,
majority OF them are inclined to prefer more
southern line than the one indicated. The tracks
OF the Baltimore and Potomac road now emerge
from the tunnel on street south, and that street
In connection with Water street, offers feasible
direct, and economical route to the north end OF
the Long bridge where common and convenient
passenger station could be located, and ample and
suitable sites for freight depOts abound in the inn
mediate vicinity, and in convenient proximity to
the wharveS of the city.
Moreover, should any OF the roads, desire in the
future to cross the river at other point above
the Long bridge, and even above Georgetown, the
same line extended along or near the water front
would place within their reach all available cross
ings.
This line, also while it would interfere but little
with the interests OF property, would bring the
railroad traffic into more fmmediate contact with
the river traffic, and would relieve the important
avenues, above referred to, OF an incumbrance
which virtually destroy the value OF the property
abutting thereon for all other uses, and most in
urously affects the general interests of that pOr
ton OF the city which they traverse.
Should this line be preferred by Congress, the
two roads would unite at the intersection OF the
James Creek canal and K street south, by de-
Election OF the proposed line OF the Baltimore and
Ohio road from New Jersey avenue by way of
Canal street. By order OF the board.
Very respectfully,
j. DENT, President.
Asimilar communication was sent to the Speaker
OF the House.