Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-23
THE TRACKS IN SOUTH WASHINGTON.
Mr. n. r. Shea Thinks the Plan Proposed
In the Lee Bili the Best

Mr.. n. n. shea Thinks the Plan Proposed
in the Lee BiIi the Best.
in an interview with me in The srlR OF
Saturday last, said Mr.. y. II. Shea 20 . srAR
reporter today, Il was asked incidentally what
thought of a passenger station located ct 7th
and h streets southwest. answered that saw
no objection to such plan. I had no idea then
that any one was favoring n connection with
that proposed location from the present station
via 9th street until 1 sac the account OF an
interview with Commissioner Douglass IN the
same issue. therefore desire to have IL UNDER
stood that would not approve of any plan that
contemplated using any Of the best streets un-
necessarily for railroad purposes.
am very confident that voice the sentiments
Of the great majority OF the people Of South
Washington in opposing IT, Now the people
OF that section have from time 70 time in pub
Inc meetings unanimously urged the selection
OF the route from the tunnel via and Water
streets to the present Long bridge or, better
still, TO the proposed combination bridge Of
Engineer Davis. They proposed and advocated
with all the influence they could bring to
bear that the railroad be required TO purchase
the land immediately adjoining Water and X
streets on the north, then run an elevated
posed bridge. The land along the principal
part of this route dips towayd the river and
an elevated road over il would meet the
present or new bridge at about a proper level.
Now the advantage Of this route for the rail-
road company IL that it runs a. direct for
through freight rs IL il possible for The COM
pany to select think IL is safe 10 assume that
nine tenths OF the freight passing over the
Maryland and Virginia avenue route h through
freight During the course Of years business
IT would save the company very large amount
OF money to use the most direct route, along
and Water streets. The grades are quite steep
from both WAYS on these avenues, aud especially
heavy from the Long bridge.
THE LEE BILL PLAN.
The Lee bill, which was the outcome Of The
unanimous action OF the various meetlngs hslA
in South Washington for the purpose Of sdvo-
eating definite plan, proposed this route slong
the river 'front.', with . connection from Il 70 Q
passenger depot to be located ON B street. south
west between LIST and Sd streets vest one square
south Of the Botanical Gardens, with The right
to purchase all the squares bounded BY La and
Sd streets west and B street and viWiuh avenue
south for passenger and local freight depots-
At the time we so earnestly advocated this plan
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ridiculed
the idea Of being compelled 10 build .
eminent reservations they illegally occupied,
but II would appear now that they viii Be COM
PEELED to build q combination bridge FOR rail-
road purposes well ~ the accommodation Of
other Nenicles In accordance with Engineer
Davis plan, and also think the sentiment 10
growing strongly, from various Indications, in
favor Of the removal Of their tracks from Mary
land and Virginia avenues. think IL 10 due 20
the large population of South Washington that
something be done TO better the present con-
dition. We are, therefore, glad to see indica-
tions Of a growing sentiment toward the sdop-
ton Of the plan proposed in the Lee bill.
GROWING SENTIMENT.
81 believe that when the Pennsylvania road
has q bill presented to Congress TO grant
another slice Of the Armory Square they will
find great opposition TO their occupancy Of 10
any longer for railroad purposes, especially in
view Of the fact that they are making such
strenuous opposition to other roads getting Q
right 10 enter this District. l earnestly hope
that there will be q bridge built o. Engineer
Davis has proposed and that all railroads de-
string TO enter this District will have
the use OF il on an equitable plan.
Ii would be well to consider that the plan pro-
posed in the Lee bill entirely rids the streets OF
tracks from the Long bridge on the west to 30
street on the east and X and Water streets on
the south, thereby opening up TO easy access
the section occupied by q large population,
comprising about one-tenth OF the residents Of
the city; and vet it places the local passenger
and freight depots in as convenient q location
as the present Baltimore and Ohio depot"