Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-20
A BOULEVARD TO BALTIMORE.
The Paper on the Plan Of Connecting
the Two Cities Read in Baltimore.

plan for connecting Washington with Bal
tirnore by magnificent boulevard was dis
cussed IN paper prepared by Mr.. John c. K.
Helne and read before meeting of the land
-ord's protective association of Baltimore last
evening Mr.. Heine says that the boulevard
between the two cities should be made wide
and well graded. 1t would connect Washing
ton, city that will ere long. IL is calculated,
contain several million inhabitants, by an
avenue at least $50 feet wide with Baltimore,
connecting there with Fulton avenue. where it
Is 100 feet wide, and terminating in Druid Hill
park, the finest natural city park in the world.
The route Of the boulevard, after going few
miles from Baltimure, should be over the WASH
ington turnpike. The road bed should be COM
pleted by 1892. and it would then be one of the
greatestattractions at the Columbian exposition.
DIVIDING THE ROAD INTO SECTIONS.
He suggests that the road might be divided
into sections-one of 30 feet in width should
be nacadamized and used exclusively for
heavy travel; another of equal width should be
made of good hard material for foundation,
rounded and topped of with fine gravel, and
should be used exclusively for carriages and
light wagons; another OF equal width should
be constructed of asphalt for light carriages,
bicycles and the hke-this would be peculiarly
desirable in vet and wintry weather; and
another. also 80 feet wide, should be set apart
for rapid transit, either by electric motors or
cable cars Thus there would be four parallel
roads in the boulevard. leaving still 80 feet for
two sidewalks OF Is feet each on either side of
the boulevard"
THE EXPENSE.
Mr.. Heine thinks that the road with all its
embellishments would probably cost $4,000
per mile. His plan for securing the money for
the cost of constructing the road is as follows:
The legislature should pass bill to author
lie the construction OF the boulevard and ap-
point say five men, one from each of the coun-
ties of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Prince
Georges, Howard and Montgomery. to establish
the width and grade, to assess tina damages and
benefits to the property owners along the road
for about one-forth the entire cost and provid-
ing Tor the balance by the sale of the franchise
TO an electric motor, cable or other company.
which should realize from S250, 900 to $500. 900.
The counties through which the road would pass
should be required to construct the bridges and
to issue from 800 900 to $500 900 bonds each for
the construction OF the road-bed. This would ag-
gregate from two-thirds to four-ffths of the en-
tire cost OF constructing the greatest boulevard
on earth. The city council should be empow-
cred to do the same from Franklin street along
Fulton avenue where, il is less than 100 feet
wide. Congress, no doubt. would do the same
thing and provide most literally for this pro-
Jeet, which Will give an opportunity for the
immense population centering in Washington
TO build country villas. In addition thereto
many liberal contributions would be received
from the enterprising merchants and capital
lists on the line of the boulevard.
de Is Of the opinion that this would be bet
ter plan than to organize a company to build
the road and grant the privilege OF charging
tolls, as the latter would undoubtedly be high.
wAsE1S6roN's FUTURE.
In conclusion Mr.. Heine says: Washington
is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in
America and the best shaded, too. Washing
ton can become city of several millions Of
people without any manufactures and without
commerce. The latter belong properly to Bal
timore. Its society alone is cosmopolitan
Men OF wealth and leisure go to Washington
and locate there. the boulevard will afford
them every desirable opportunity of chang
ing literary quiet for rural life or coming to
Ia itlrnore and hearing and feeling the din of
industry. It's social attractions are pre-emi-
nent. Editors, lawyers, statesmen, authors,
artists, ali men of taste and culture who love
retirement and social companionship with men
Of eqsal culture, seek their homes there. But
they must have an outing, an avenue into Gods
rec air. into natures haunts and how better
get 1t than along the wide and graded Column
blan boulevard? The little towns outside of
Washington along its line to Baltimore will
soon be joined and connected and the thriving
little towns on its line outside of Baltimore will
grow the faster on ground free and in fee held
~. Denis, Relay, Elk Ridge, Hanover Junction,
Laurel Bladensburg, viii be links of a mighty
chain Of towns"