Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-03
Exeensiea % vermaomt amd New Jer.ey
AvcmueU.
REPLY or TIE DrsrRIcr coxHIss1oNERs 10 TIE
SENATE OOMMITTEk

EIktem81Oo 81 vermont ana Now 80xD1Y
REILLY or 9n DfsrRrcr COMMISSIONERS 10 III.
SENATE COMMITTEE
In reply TO letter from Hon. T. 81. nollinsof the
Senate, Of April 94th. enclosing petition Of citi
zeDs asking for the extension Of Vermont avenue,
In the direction Of the Soldiers' Home and asking
the views OF the Commissioners, they say the orig
tna plan OF the city laid down the streets and ave-
nues only as far ss Boundary street on the north
beyond that there were only three or four roads
leading into the county. Within the last fifteen
have been sSs Beyond
street, forming the suburban VII
lie Drot park, &c. The Streets in these new local,
tiles were dedicated to the public by the owners OF
the property without reference to any plan, and as
ca me evident that an extension OF the city was
growing on the north OF IL In which the streets
had no relation to each other or to the plan OF the
city. At some future day the public convenience
will demand that these streets shall be connected
and Strengthened at great expense. In the judg-
meBt OF the Commissioners it Was necessary that
some steps should be taken to prevent the contin-
uation OF this method of laying out streets. and
as detailed map or great accuracy and large
scale was ess initial to form any plans in this con-
nectfon the Commissioners submitted an estimate
in 1879 for O0 for beginning the survey for such
its accuracy viii permit, the work being done by
officers OF the coast survey. The triangulation OF
the entire District is completed, and Typographical
the city. for width OF about one mile, from the
vicinity of 9th street to beyond Georgetown. The
MP pr0n Streets s0 e ssteSded wss
furnished to the Commissioners about
a year since, and the maps extending to George
town are expected during the next month. 1t was
tie intention OF the Commissioners to mature a
plan for streets north of the city, conforming In
Cen Washington, in August, 1871, and to submit
this plan to Congress for its approval, with the
recommendation that a law be passed requiring
future subdivisions OF county property to conform
to 1t. Although the plan has not yet been ma
tured in detail, yet on that portion between the
head of New Jersey avenue and 18th street ex-
tended, the Commissioners are agreed as to the
points.
1. That New jersey avenue should be extended
through LeDroit Park across 18th street and up the
valley OF q small stream in that vicinity to 18th
street extended.
z That vermont avenue should be extended in
straight line TO 9TH street extended.
The desirability OF extending Vermont avenue
through the subdivisions already made beyond
9TH street has not yet been fully considered. The
lines OF these two avenues as extended are shown
on the plan inclOSed. The estimated cost OF ex-
tending Vermont avenue and improving It's about
AS to the desirability Of these extensions the
commissioners entertain no question. New Jer-
to the two great roads-7th and 18TH streets-lead-
Ing into the county; Vermont avenue will give q
direct line from the Executive Mansion to the Sol
near 9Th street extended will give part or reser-.
vation OK the character found in various sections
OF the city It Is proper to say that SO long as the
streets OF this city are In their present con-
dition-ten miles being covered with rotten
wood pavements and large amount with
out any pavement at all--the Commission
an appropriation OF so large portion OF the cur
rent revenues $50 coo to the extension of these
avenues II the United States will appropriate
from the U. s. Treasury the amount for the extern
sion OF Vermont avenue, or II it win make an ad-
vance to the District, to be paid from current
revenues at subsequent time. then this improve
ment which, as suggested In the Commissioners
letter addressed to the committees OF the Senate
and House on the District OF Columbia on the 4th
so desirable, can be accomplished at once, other
wise 1t should be postponed until the rotten wood
Is disposed Of and certain of the Streets such as
Pennsylvania avenue southeast, Maryland avenue,
New York avenue. @ street, and other streets are
paved"