Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-24

place for those who have neither the means
nor the time for suburban outing. Ii the
clty's magnificent original plan is to be per-
manently altered and distgured for the rail-
roads benefit let the latter pay handsomely
for this dissertation, as well as for its land
grants. Ii the aesthetic. sentimental and sani-
tary considerations which plead for the unin-
terrupted mall of L'Enfant's plan are to be
buried beyond hope of resurrection, and the
issue is reduced to the business-like question
OF dollars and cents. let the dollars and cents OF
compensation also be exacted or strictly bust
ness principles. If part of the citys birth
right is TO be disposed Of for mess Of pottage let
those who are responsible for the transfer at
least see to it that the municipal stomach en-
JOYS every particle OF pottage justly due. The
railroad direct gain. when the temporary loan
OF its mail privileges becomes permanent
gift. will be 80 vast that without the aid of the
other items enumerated it will be sufficient to
outweigh any claim against the District, how
ever exaggerated. on account of the abolition
OF grade crossings and the reconstruction of
Long bridge.
LONG BRIDGE PROBLEM VIEWED SEPARATELY.
II. however, the Long bridge is treated sepa-
rately from the local railroad question the gov
eminent, which met the full cost of the struc-
ture OF which it granted the use in 1870 to the
railroad, can well afford in protection Of and
as part OF the harbor Improvement to meet
part OF the expense Of recoastructing the
bridge. Neighboring Virginia will be even
more directly interested in the new structure
as bridge than Washington, which is more
especially concerned about the removal of the
Dam, the prompt abatemen. of the dangerous
nuisance OF the present, than the requirement
OF additional bridge facilities at this point The
gam OF the capital city will. however, be great
on one score and considerable on the other,
anu this fact Will be readily admitted by it
whatever turn the discussion concerning the
provision of ways and means for the project
may take.
ELEvATs RATHER THAN DEPREss THE TRACKS.
Your committee ventures to express the hope
that the problem of bridges across railroad
tracks will not arise in connection with the
baltimore and Potomac tracks leading to the
Long bridge. Last year the railroad opposed
the depression and bridging Of these tracks on
the ground that this procedure would not bring
the tracks to Long bridge in proper relation to
an elevated structure. Ii the railroad adher-
ing to its belief OF last year. should favor the
sIoition OF its grade crossings by the building
oil an arched masonry viaduct Of the Berlin
type there would be no distur bance of the grade
OF streets or street car lines no damage to prop
cry owners from long ugly approaches to high
bridges at certain streets and there would bo
convenient passage way for the public under
the elevated structure at numerous points.
MODERN BRIDGE BUILDING.
In the construction OF the new Long bridge,
OF the much desired and much needed bridge
to Arlington, Of the required additional struc-
lures and reconstructed existing bridges across
the Anacostia river and Rock creek and OF any
bridges across steam railroad tracks to avoid
grade crossings which may be necessary your
committee recommends the building of broad,
substantial structures, far as possible con-
limitations OF the streets in grade. in width and
In surface. The bridge sign walk YOUR
| horses. uumlstakabla ind Of
delayed municipal development and OLD fogy
conditions as the appearance Of bridge toll
collector.
The modern bridge ought also to be so con-
structed as to afford rapid transit facilities
without interfering with the comfort and
safety OF pedestrians and persons in private
vehicles. Rapid transit connections perform
similar function to the bridges which they
utilize in binding suburban settlements to tho
city and in enabling the latter to absorb and
assiInilate them.
When the Districts needs in respect to
bridges and rapid transit are fully met Wash
lngton Will not only extend symmetrical
plan Of streets to the boundaries Of the Mary.
lana portion OF the ten miles square, but will
practically annex the Virginia retroceded frac-
ton. Whether or not judicial annuiment of
the retrocesslon or r. second cessIon shall le-
galiy restore to the District its original dimen-
sions. Washington will in fact extend its
| boundaries across the Potomac and add Airing
| ton to its system OF parks.
! In the future Washington, which the pro-
/ posed legislation promises to all in develop
ing, the Potomac river will be utilized to its
full capacity for the benefit OF the trade, health
and pleasure OF the city. The present impede
/ ment to easy access to the river front the i'm
! passable barrier Of q belt Of surface railroad
tracks. illegally occupied by standing cars, +,
| will be sent to join the obstacles of the past a
pestiferous canal, a criminal-infested mall and
high bluffs which needed to be pierced A
| local rapid transit system will bring the Poto-
mac within easy reach. The fine harbors from
Georgetown to the Anacostia to be obtained
| when the flats are filled will meet the demands
OF the citys growing commerce. Without its
malarious marshes the quickened river will cut
large slices from the Districts death rate,
Handsome and substantial bridgss-perhaps .
memorial bridge to Arlington, with q broad
avenue leading to Mount Vernon-wil furnish
communication with Virginia, and the Long
bridge, that shabby, notwithstanding nuisance
OF the present, viii be only disagreeabis
| "Reminiscences.
! The report was signed by Theodore W. Noyes,
chairman; John Wight. Francis B. Fava, IT,,
| Frank Hume, and c. b. Church.