Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-12

CARDS junction OF cross ROADS, ana party
because it is on a steep incline. 1t seems
to us that If a circle Is desirable in this
locality at all, 1t would be better to have
1T at the top of the hill, as suggested by
you.
Along Metropolitan Branch.
Zone Of the most important suggestions
we have to make is in regard to the treat
ment Of lands on both sides Of the Metro
politan branch of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. We have not sufficient knowledge
Of the local conditions to give you advice
In detail upon this point, but. In general,
the idea which we wish to bring to your
attention ia to have street on each side
of the railway, and substantially parallel
to II and far enough from it to leave a tier
Of lots backing upon ii. The greater part
Of the streets crossing the railway on your
plan should terminate upon these two
streets. At intervals of quarter OF a mile
or So the two parallel streets on each side
of the railway may be connected by cross
street, which should be SO located as TO
readily admit of a separation OF the grades
from that of the railway whenever the ex-
pense of the bridges or archways and re-
vision of the street grades can be wisely
undertaken. By such a revision OF the plan
the difficulties attendant upon crossing 'De
railway will be reduced to a minimum, and
the expense of doing away with grade
crossings will be enormously reduced 1t
may be found best upon working out these
and south streets north of the railway.
In any case, the effort should be made to
reduce the number of grade crossings to
minimum.
More Parks.
I'm general, we should say that not
enough local squares or reservations have
been indicated on the plan for the section
between North Capitol street and Rock
creek Before land becomes more valuable
a number Of local squares certainly ought
to be secured to serve as local recreation
grounds for the future residential popula-
ton, which will certainly be very dense,
especially in the central and eastern por-
lions of the district IN question.
THE tendency of the development OF
modern cities has of late years become
so clearly in the direction of a more open
and suburban occupation CT the land that
provision of a more distinctly appropriate
and ample character should be made in
planning the extension of streets In such
cities as Washington for this class of &C.
cupation in those sections where, owing to
the irregular topography. elevation of the
land or other reasons, the class best able
to afford to live on larger plots of ground
can be expected to go.
in this case we have little doubt that a
considerable part of the land bordering on
the National Geological Park and Rock
Creek Park will be occupied in this man.
ner II suitable provision Is made for 1t in
the planning Of the streets. With this OBJ
ject in view, and also as a measure OF
economy in construction, Ii seems 10
that many of the streets west Of 18th
street would better be laid out upon gentle
curves than in straight lines. We suppose
that the street plans have gone too far to
make 1t practicable for US to make a gen.
eral study for the streets In the section in
question, but we may be able to suggest
a few lines which can be adopted without
a very great revision OF the plan"