Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-15
1

ped, and stopped at once So this afternoon
1T was ordered:
THAT no subordinate officer of the gov
eminent of the District OF Columbia shall
communicate. except in writing, upon bust
ness relating to said government with any
o1ncldi OF the government of the United
ciilc instructions, to be sivea by the Com
missfoners in each case.''
When a reporter of The Star asked the
Commissioners at whom the order was airn-
eu they declined to say anything.
Street Extension.
THE great mistake in not elevatipg Flor
ida avenue when that street was first grad
ed is now apparent. and the difficulties That
Deset the engineer department on that ac-
count are most perpleXing." so said Capt.
Powell, the Engineer Commissioner of the
Dlstrlct, when reporter of The Star ques-
toned him concerning the extension OF the
city streets.
Continuing he said: Just ut this time
the engineer department is wrestling with
the 18th street hill question, and it is safe
to say that 1t ranks with the most difficult
engineering questions We nave been called
upon to answer. Briefly we are trying to
make 18th street useful as a fhorousyhfare
from the city to the Spring road and be-
yond The continuity of the street is prac-
tlcaily broken by the existence of a steep
grade from Florida avenue to Clifton street.
Beyond Chfton street 18th street has heen
opened from due north line as far north
as the Spring road. and the part from
been lately graded, and is now very much
used. 1t is important that the continuity of
18th street be secured, 1t is evident from
the large travel of 18th street that in such a
case 18th street would be largely used.
Ihere Is crying need for north and
south street between eth and 18th streets,
ana II the steep grade on 18th street above
CHfton street can be remedied ii is plain
That 18th street would become a principal
thoroughfare.
ITO neutralize the steep grade now exist
ing on the straight line several plans have
been proposed, and are shown by riaps
winch have been prepared by this Office.
one set shows streets winding up the hil,-
side from near the corner Of 1lth and Flor
IDA avenue, and from near 10th and -lth
streets, meeting near the line Of 18th street,
thence directed on the intersection of 18th
ana Clifton streets. Another set shows a
stralgnt street cut through from li,h street
10 llth street extended, about half way be-
tween Florida avenue and Clifton street,
together with donble-curved street in plan
IKE the letter leading from 18th street
ana Florida avenue to Clifton street. The
OBJECT of these two plans Is 10 lengthen the
distance to the top of the hill, and thereby
reduce the grade Still another suggestion
is TO lay out a park on the hillside above
60 ana l4th street. and have winding roads
through 1t leading up the slope. AS the
ground. however. Is quite valuable 1t is not
probable that Congress win appropriate 4
sufficient sum to meet the expenses incident
thereto"
northwest section, which Is only to give the
INES OF the extension of the main thorough
fares, Capt. Powell said that IL was fast
nearing completion. AS soon rs It was
ready his department would proceed to fill
In the divisions between the main lines.
the intersecting street would be made to
conform Herewith