Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-23

that remains to be
said to the credit Of our local lawmakers,
and that 10 they have refrained from
giving their sanction 70 great many measures
which would have been absolutely injurious to
the city. 1t need not be inferred that all the
street railroad bills which failed to become laws
were not meritorious measures. On the con-
trary, there Is no doubt that many Of them are
Of the highest public merit But the point
winch was accomplished to . large extent by
the legislation Of the present session was to pro-
vide street car facilities In sections where the
greatest need existed without occupying need
lesaly the public streets. There are some six
bills involving the increase Of the street car
facilities Of the city which have become laws or
win in all probability before the session Closes
There has been no accurate computation made
Of the number Of bills that were introduced,
but II IL perfectly safe to say that It Is good
many times six. OF this number only two
granted charters to new companies All the
rest provided for the extension Of existing
roads.
For number Of years past, ever since, in
fact, the eastern section Of tho city has been
increasing in population, 1t has been evident
that the existing street car lines were made
quate to meet the wants Of that growing sec
ton. There are the avenue line the Metropolis
tan line on East Capitol street and the H street
line. Between the two latter there is thickly
populated section some eight or nine squares
wide, while north and south Of the avenue line
there were other broad belts without proper
street car facilities. These defects have IN part
been remedied by the bills which have been
enacted during the present session. For ex-
ample the southeastern section and the -four
ishing town Of Anacostia, across the Eastern
branch, have been given direct connection with
the center Of the city by the extensions granted
to the Anacostia road. That road is already
operating an extension to the Center Market,
but 1t now has the additional right to run cars
mp 9th street to g, thence to 18th street and
down that street to the market. For the
greater part Of the way through the business
center OF the city this company Is given the
In this way the evil Of the occupation
Of the streets by railroad tracks is reduced
to . minimum and at the same time
the public Is furnished with accommodations
which are greatly needed.
IN THE NORTHEAST.
The northeastern section of the city has been
well treated, although no provision has yet been
made for . road or roads running north and
south, but no doubt that want will be supplied.
But there are two additional lines authorized to
run east and west, and both directly commune
eating with the heart Of the city. The extension
granted to the lexington road authorizes the
laying Of their tracks from 9Th and G streets
along 5th to Louisiana avenue and thence along
that avenue to point on the east side OF 7th
street The company is also given permission
to build . continuation Of its line
along G. street TO LIST street, along the
latter street to street and thence out
all the way to 18th street northeast. The
return track il along street to 4th street east
and up 4th street to and the point Of begin
ming: The company is also given authority to
construct q line on New Jersey avenue from c.
street to the Capitol grounds; also along North
Capitol street to New York avenue, where the
main line Of the company runs, and from the
present terminus at the head Of 4th street ex-
tended to University station. From G street
the lexington cars will run over the tracks
Of the Belt road and the Metropolitan road.
What is regarded ss an important feature Of
this extension Il that portion Of the line which
extends out to 18th street east, along C and D
streets. When this part Of the road Is con-
structed and the company is required to begin
the work Of building the extensions within
three months and to complete it within one year
from the passage Of the act there will be no
longer such a long stretch Of territory without
q street car line.
THE SUBURBAN RAILROAD.
The needs Of this section will be supplied by
another company, which is q new corporation.
II is known as the Suburban Railway Company
and, as the name indicates, the main purpose Of
Its existence will be to supply the needs Of the
suburbs. It is given authority to build line
along the Bladensburg road to It'll and h streets
MI eAOootS nlsO AHCb ItOIu DEOOhlhIu huu IrOm
Langdon to Florida avenue and 18th street
northeast This road is given Q connection
with the center Of the city over II street to It'll
street east, thence to G street and thence to LIST
street west, and thence over the Belt line tracks
on G street to 9Th street and down the latter
street to Louisiana avenue and 7th street. The
cars returning will run in front Of the court
house to 4th street. to street and out the latter
street to 8th street east and thence to street
and the point Of beginning.
When these two new lines are completed the
will have four street railroad lines
cRoss-Towy Road.
The northwestern section gets cross-town
road-that is, 1t will when the extension author
lied is built by the Rock Creek railroad 1t will
be considerably farther to the north than MANY
Of the residents thought o cross town road was
needed, but still it viii be better than nothing
The new extension will run from 18th and y
streets along Florida avenue to North Capitol
street. 1t win be continuation Of the line that
has been built along Connecticut avenue ex-
tended from the city some seven miles out to
point In Montgomery county, Md. Authority
has also been given to this company to con-
struct q branch from its main line to the en-
trance Of the Geological Park.
Then there is to be an electric road built out
the It'll street road to the bounds Of the Dis
trict, with = branch to Takoma Park. This is
not q new company, but the charter Of the
company that has been trying to build road
in that location for some time has been
amended. Now the road must be built or the
charter will be forfeited. 1t 10 stated that there
Is no doubt about the construction of the
road, as the money needed has already been
assured. The property owners and residents
In that locality, especially the citizens Of
Brightwood and Takoma, have been active in
urging the passage Of the bill, and they feel
grstified that there Ia now an assured prospect
Of getting the street car facilities which ara 10