Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-04

All the railroad companies have substituted
grooved girder rails for the old rails over the
greater portion of their lines in the city. This
change has not been entirely completed by the
Columbia, Anacostia and Metropolitan rail-
roads. The condition of the streets has been
very much improved thereby.
There is one other alteration which should be
required of the railway companies; the cobble
and rubble stones should be removed from all
streets paved with asphalt aud granite blocks.
These cobble stone pavements are continually
out Of repair and are seldom clean.
STEAM RAILWAYS.
The annoyance and dangers resulting from
the numerous grade crossings of two great rail-
road systems are subjects of daily complaint.
There is at present no improvement of such
vital Importance TO the interests of the city
the removal of these tracks from the surface OF
the streets.
In making the necessary changes the best in
terests Of the city demand that the grade of the
railway tracks shall be made dependent upon
the established grades Of the city streets. That
plan should be adopted which leaves to the
public the unobstructed Use Of the greatest
number of its streets
III the present routes are retained is is prob
able that the construction OF elevated tracks
would best fulfill the conditions required. I'm
til q satisfactory solution of this problem il
reached the railroad companies should provide
city and immediate suburbs.
EXTENSION OF STREETS.
The necessity Of segisation looking TO the ex-
tension Of the principal streets and avenues
through the suburban subdivisions has been re-
peatedly urged, and it is hoped that definite
action may soon be taken.
The subdivisions Immediately around the
city are 30 thoroughly improved that it is ex-
tremey improbable that the right OF way for
these streets can be obtained in any other way
than by condemnation. 1t is certain that the
cost will increase from year to year.
Unless some general scheme similar TO that
introduced at the last session Of Congress can
be carried out would urge that special action
be taken in the most important Of the streets
in each section.
In the western section, Prospect street.
Georgetown, should be opened as far as the
Foxhall road. The construction of an electric
railway on the Canal road makes the opening
Of new outlet TO the westward imperative
The land through which il would pass is now
wholly unimproved. Sixteenth street should
be opened at least as far as Piney branch. The
construction Of the cable and electric railways
on 14th and It'll streets makes the opening Of a
safe driveway to the north of special import
ance. This street is also destined TO be the
principal thoroughfare leading TO the new
National Park.
The improvement OF Mount Pleasant is going
on rapidly and it will soon be necessary TO pur-
chase the right Of way through almost solidly
built blocks Of houses.
A route to the Soldiers Home grounds.
unobstructed by cable and electric railways. il
very much needed Such route can be secured
by the opening of Rhode Island avenue through
lie Droit Park to LIST street northwest. As this
avenue has been dedicated between LIST street
and LIE Droit avenue il would only be necessary
to open it between Florida and lie Droit
avenues.
In the northeast section OF the city North
Carolina avenue. which now terminates at 10th
street northeast should be opened to the
Benning road.
The land is now wholly unimproved and the
right Of way could be secured at no great ex-
pense.
A broad highway leading into the city from
the northeast is very desirable, and this can be
most easily secured by opening North Carolina
avenue to Benning road and then widening the
latter east of its junction with the avenue.
ROCK CREEK VALLEY.
Attention is called TO the encroachment upon
the channel Of Rock creek made by the dump
ing of earth along both sides of the valley
Whatever disposition be made Of this stream
whether 1t be arched or inclosed BY walls and
the banks terrsced, it is Of great importance
that this dumping cease until some plan is
adopted The oBly way in which this can be
effectually done is for the government TO pur-
chase the land along both banks of the creek.