Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-15
Do We Want More street Railways

To the Editor Of The Evening Star;
Senator Mcmillan Is right in his judgment in
regard to the wants. the conditions and inter-
ests of this city in his views of the street rail-
way question. An attempt has been made.
with only partial success. TO make this city
beautiful. or. at least, agreeable. as the home
OF common people and those Of more exacting
tastes The walks. the shade trees. the streets
and the numerous small parks reservations
have received the attention of those who have
the business of the city In charge, but only in
regard to the saving of our streets from desc
Grafton by railroads have tine city guardians
been absolutely neglectful of the idea of com
fort and beauty.
So far as the guardians of the city's interests
are concerned this ought not to be a question
Of dollars and cents at all. but their desire.
their duty, should be to save portion of our
avenues and finest streets for driveways. l
know OF no other city in America. certainly
there are none in Europe, where the finest
avenues and boulevards are given up to rail-
way tracks In Chicago which has a reputa-
ton of being the hotbed of utilitarianism
you cannot ind man, woman or child who
would be willing to see such avenues as Ash
land, Washington OF Michigan boulevards
given over TO street railways l have no doubt
that in Detroit. the home of the Senator, like
feeling exists. Now. turn from that pic
ture to this: Look from the dome of
the Capitol Maryland avenue southwest
avenue northwest, North Capitol street, Della
ware avenue northeast. East Capitol street.
Pennsylvania avenue southeast, all given over
to railroad tracks, leaving of ali the avenues
leading from the Capitol in this city, pop
ularly supposed to be governed with some ref
erence TO aesthetics, only Maryland avenue
northeast and New Jersey avenue southeast
free from incumbrance which is always annoy
ing II unnecessary. and one of these. Maryland
avenue, the only boulevard drive left in the
east half of the city, is in the eve Of every
Spectator in Washington, with the hope Of
',gubbling" it for car tracks.
There Is no need for any more conveniences
to the Capitol from the northeast. unless il be
TO extend the herdics farther east on the line
they now have The street line of cars has
never paid Its stockholders a dividend. The
herdics have not made millionairss Of their
proprietors- The carettes, convenient and
desirable a mode of travel any one needs
Will add more vehicles whenever there is bust
ness enough to pay expenses Why, then, this
continual attempt to ruin a fine avenue turn il
over TO car, tracks and all that follows them?
For IL is just sure as cold engenders hail the
groceries, shops and saloons will follow street
car track.
The duty Of Congressman is plain. He
should conserve as well as provide opportuni-
ties for expansion.
will protest as long as have strength to do
10 against giving up such avenue to car
Tracks. and ruin both the street and the three
Companies which are struggling now for re-
Enumeration for the enterprises they
have started II there are any streets which
need car tracks on, which very much doubt
let some one show such a need afirmatlvely
and II he Is not able TO. let Mr.. Mcmillan,
policy stand as the settled policy of Congress
A. w. KELLOGG.