Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-15

LOG Wall st., ny.
Nothing that we can Gee. Tbe,s
east and west streets do not run snxvbsrs ar
oept to the high bluff forming the boundsrv Of
Rock Greek valley, and there they stop. and
must IN tne nature OF the case always stop, ss
an extension, impractical In itself. vould orlv
land them in the Geological Park No rood
purpose, that We can see, is served by the en-
tension OF these streets across Columbia road.
On the contrary, much confusion is wrought
and unnecessary expense incurred. And We
submit that in the interest OF the beauty of
the city the present subdivision 10 much
superior TO the proposed one. When the site
of city is Of diversified surface the utmost
beauty is not obtained by moving in all cases
IN straight lines. Streets adapted to the topoe-
raphy Of the ground are in many instances
better than straight lines running at right
angles to each other. Washington and Beisir
Heights and kalorama illustrate what We mean
Lanier Heights is a narrow strip of land lying
between Columbia road and the boundary Of
the Geological Park, beyond which streets cam
not go. Columbia road is one OF the most fire.
quented thoroughfares adjacent to the city, and
as the country beyond improves will become
still more so. The lots on this tract are wide,
having a frontage Of fifty feet. and should, and
probably will. be built upon with detached
houses, having more or less ground about
them-a thing. BY the way. that in the matter
Of beauty Washington 4eses more than any.
thing else. Which wo0d{be preferable the
streets as they now are, xith wide lots fronting
other streets Of the sect IN, 4anier and Kansas
avenues parallel with il. = v&AAve II cut up by
SIX or eight streets running n such angles to 10
that comparatively very ffttle frontage would
be left and few houses could be erected except
upon an angle with it2 1t would be eeen that
there could be but one answer 10 this question
What we have said about those east and west
streets applies equally well to the extension OF
18TH street or Champaign avenue. The topogra-
ply OF the country is dead against IL. You are
nrst confronted with the fact that viaduct or
iron bridge would have to be constructed over
the valley along which Quarry road passes.
Ibis would be unsightly, entirely out OF har-
mony with its surroundings, unjust TO the
property owners along the valley, and, We sub
init, entirely unnecessary. II il be asked
whether the property owners beyond are to be
shut of from direct communication with the
city. the reply is that the extension Of 18th
street would furnish it, as. even II 18th street
were extended. 18th street. would have 70 be
reached and passed in reaching the business
portion OF the city. as most Of it lies east Of
18th street ,.vr -
Now about the question os expense. Az We
have stated. TO adopt the proposed plan OF
changing the streets would, il seems 10 Ms,
involve the purchase OF the whole tract and Q
new subdivision. We do not see how the con-
ficting interests could be reconciled In any
other way. We think q careful scrutiny Of the
map viii disclose this. Almost every lot where
il abutted on a street would do so ut an angie,
only a small corner Of many would be left, Of
not much use TO any one while others would
be without access, lying IN the midst OF q tract
Who is TO pay for this? The act says that one
half Of any damages sustained shall be assessed
on abutting property. In this case the parties
uninlured would have to pay pretty smartly,
and even SO would not be benefited except in,
possibly, a very few cases. Then about the via
duct or bridge over Quarry road, are abutting
property owners TO pay one-half the cost Of
this, aud. il so. would ii not amount 70 practical
confscation2 In any event there would be .
large amount Of money for somebody TO pay.
We therefore respectfully ask that the plan
OF the map changing the present subdivision
of LAnier Heights be not adopted
WANTS THE NAME CHANGED.
A resident Of Holmead Manor writes 10 the
Commissioners that in view of fhe many objec-
tions to the name Of Lydecker, the name OF the
avenue that bears that name be changed 10
Rossell avenue, as q compliment TO the late
form courtesy, has won the highest esteem Of
our citizens.
PROTESTS AaArxsr sALooxs
The temperance advocates are BEGINNING 70
get in their work. Regular printed protests
are being circulated against saloons and receiv-
ing the signatures Of the residents and property
owners in the square where the saloon pro-
tested against is located and filed with the excise
board This morning q long petition signed By
a number Of the residents and property owners
between I and 4 and I'd and Sd streets
protest against the granting Of . license 10 sell
liquor to any one In that square.
An ESorSEER AProISrED.
Pursuant 10 the authority vested in the Com
missioners Of the District Of Columbia BY Sec
ton two Of AN act to provide . permanent
system OF highways in that part
Of the District OF Columbia lying out
side OF cities" approved March 2, 1888,
William p. Richards has been appointed
civilian assistant TO the engineer commits
sioner with compensation at el75 per month
for period not exceeding twelve months or
such part thereof the services Of q civilian
assistant may be necessary, subject to the ap-
proval OF the commission, consisting Of the
Secretary OF War, Secretary OF the Intsriog end
chief Of the engineers.
THE BRieHTwoop RAfrwAf.
Several days ago the residents and property
owners Of Takoma Park pesittoned the Com
missioners to modify their recent order reis-
tive to the speed Of the cars or DE Brlehtwood
Avenue Railway Company. The petition
was sent TO Attorney Thomas. With Instruction
to prepare a draft Of an order modifying the
former order. This he has done and the order
Is modified is a. follows: That the maximum
rate OF speed OF cars on said railway shall
be as follows: From Takoma Park to Bright
wood avenue at q rate Of speed not ex-.
ceeding fifteen miles per hour. On Brightwood
avenue, north Of Rock Greek Church road, ct Q
rate not exceeding twelve miles per hour, and
on Brightwood avenue, south OF Rock Creek
Church road. at rate not exceeding nine
miles per hour. For Q violation Of the above
order the offender shall on the conviction
thereof in the Police Court be punished by Q
fine Of not less than S5 nor more than e25, and
in default Of payment shall be imprisoned in
the work house OF said District not less thAa
one month nor more than three montha"
CONTRACT FOR PAVING BRIcK-
The Commissioners this afternoon awarded
the contract to the Frederick Brick Company
for furnishing 100000 paving brick 81 ea7s
per thousand.
CONVENTION HALL SAFE
At the request Of the Commissioners Build
ing Inspector Entwisle made q careful invest
igation Of Convention Hall over the Northern
Liberty market for the purpose Of determining
its safety. and reported that he found il In sx-
cellent condition and capable Of holding 1000
people.
whatth Petition Meant.
To the Editor of The Evening Star;
As one Of the clerks who yesterday signed Q
petition addressed 10 the deputy coroner !