Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-06


been been established; Bennings road, BladensOurg
1SfS str brentwood road. 7th street road,
leytown pike-and as the outlying settlements
grew and multiplied, they conformed in some
specie displayed little provision Of the future en-
or washington, and no regard for the
iur@re extension OF its streets and avenues.
enaeavors that have been made from time to time,
nnd Wild partial success to produce auacable
to the hafta between city and county in regard
aa1es. and II the extension Of the washington
avenues into the suburbs, through the numerous
only ss 81 e % .,
gus smal private holdings and the payment OF
considerable sums in damages to the dispossessed
certain extent does not admit OF doubt. but the
lact indicates the necessity in the case OF other
regions as yet undeveloped, Of more sagacious ad-
exhibited and the absence OF which tn the past
t win Involve large expense In the immediate
But it is not alone the multiplicity of small
noidings and the lack OF conformity OF suburban
Mlsn uGoan streets that oppose the universal
graphical considerations likewise interpose objec-
tion; The differences OF level and contour in
are too formidable to be overlooked or dsrerarded
In particular Is this the case with the hilf north
Of sfre the city and westward rom iItn q isth
this character are still more i greatly Imagined
when the question arises Of enecting convenient
ana practicable communication across the deep
anu, ~ places, prec1pitouS Rock creek valley. An
examination OF the map OF the District discloses
ts ~ enaI With the exception Of the north ana
Ely s sad Nth
culties inherent in the Rock creek region and be-
vented heretofore the opening Of suitable lines Of
communication through this region. The Tenley
town road, leading from the comparatively lower
above tide, Is the only present means Of access
thereto The Woodley lane and Pierce
mill roads from washington are, in erect,
hill side, crossing the creek on wooden bridges a
rev feet only above the level of the stream, and
tnence making the difhcult and circuitous ascent
Fuliy c0gnizant OF the difficulties already re-
feIred 20 arising out OF the multiplication OF minor
SUBDIVISIONS exterior to the city limits and barring
ton, and OF the Typographical difficulties
inherent in the undeveloped area lying TO
Which the sor very irsgnaiy q
greatest advantage. the District Commissioners,
nav Ing carefully considered the needs OF
ad With the ne aid OF the
have contemplated the rectilinear extension Of
found to be desirable and where the rights
Of way and the dedication Of easements could
be-, be procured without cost. It would have
taken many years since, but il is nov i'm
perative that advantage should be taken Of all
favorable propositions from the owners Of uninn-
plans to the needs OF the District and are pre-
pared to dedicate such portions OF their holdings
as are necessary to secure the future establish
mont q important lines OF communication
The county roads In general, which exist ex.
terror TO the city limits are winding in direction
as to be IN
than merely pleasure purposes For this reason
The commissioners have considered tn ut when it
Of Communication the important feature OF grade
should be carefully considered.
This Is especially needful in the case OF the per-
fected asphalt pavements OF washington, which
an undue steepness of slope render dangerous
The maximum grade now in use n the city of
smooth pavements is 4 or ~ feet in the hundred.
Is Of undesirable steepness and the hOrthward ex-
tension of 10th street now climbs up ten per
cent grade which is practically iprohibitOry to
traffic. The Commissioners therefore decided that
10 extending any given avenue its rectilinear pro-
l0ngation should be preserved II possible, and the
avenue should be SO laid out as to have no grade
With the appropriation Of $4,000 made in the
current appropriation act for the first time for
that purpose, the necessary information has been
secured and in some cases dedi Citations of certain
lands lying in the course OF the extension of streets
have been accepted where such. action involved no
tension OF 18th street in rectilinear direction
through the grounds Of persons who were pre-
prepared to make the grant.
The extension of North ca pitol street beyond
the Boundary to the SOldiersF Home, constituting
direct Line OF communication from the Capitol
70 .ne only great park WI ich Washington has
Importance to warrant the action OF the Commits
sioners after ascertatnng hat the holders OF lands
be Wins ID as
cate the full width of the avenue, and feeling as
If 5haa sne rea d the
In Vie case Of Massach nsetts avenue after care.
[ui Investigation Of the ground and OF the accu-
running OF several trial dnes the Commissioners de-
;lded upon certain 70 ute as being that which was
Desirable IN the public Interest," and assur
through which the Ak is OF the avenue would pass
mat they were prep Ted to dedicate to the Dis
upon which the Com missioners should determine.
and therefore make their subdivisions In conform
ty Herewith.
IN elevation Of MIN ty-fve feet above tide and has
no grade In excess Of4k per cent. 1t is rectilnear
With the exception Aof one detection Of about fifteen
This detection ID forced by the CONFIRMATION OF
Rock Greek valle,k which, bending eastward, occu-
Ihe constructors Of the avenue at reauisite ele'
es$esesy a sse sona9fssss
ts occupied area. Furthermore. the d.
reGt line, after traversing Rock creek
'ad at, at an acute angle and passing
valley, In vi och the construction OF an avenue OF
me chaFacUT OF the one in question would be diff
aeulC ana @ JStly, and would then practically ter
inmate at 2, low point on Tenleytown road, within
ne limits y Georgetown. 1t is proper to say that
while this important matter has been under care
u consid Grafton for number OF years the consid-
,TaCiOnS cached after study OF the subject have
proved By the Commissioners, as the records Of
'he eng1 heer department OF the District show.
AppIe henSlOn mas been expressed that the ex-
stence of the avenue through the observatory
work e the observatory, but this, 1t is believed,
VII n ot be the case Provision can be made for
he sr hOOth coating OF the road In the vicinity of
me o observatory. Furthermore, most OF the work
YOU ID be extremely rare. The Commissioners
YOU Id regard with diSfavor any proposition to
I'LL ize the proposed avenue for the purpose Of
ac Mshing car lines or any similar traction fac1li
u 16O feet, the Importance OF Massachusetts, ave-
le to the city OF Washington is greater than that
any other, except Pennsylvania avenue. At
ne present time It alone traverses the city unob-
from the Eastern branch to Rock creek, and Its eX
tension westward to erect a junction with the
1enleytoWn road, and in the future its possible
still further prOiongation beyond the boundary of
the District Will constitute it the most superb and
highway In the world.
A minor county road leading from the Klingle
Ford on ROCK creek to the TenleytOwn road with
width OF Seventyfive feet having been offered to
the District without cost was accepted after ex-
animation. It lies conveniently midway between
the WoOdley Lane and Plerces Mill road and In
directness and ease OF grade is superior to either
penditure will be requiredin theimmediate future
the current appropriation for these purposes being
eSO,OOO only, alth0ugh the commissioners have