Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18
TO BE CURVED OR STRAIGHT?
Discussing the Fourth Section Of Street
Extensions
Hearing Given Today by the Commits
stoners-Nfr. 0lmstead Explains His
Plan of 1horoughfares.

1t was manifest from the number Of
property holders present at the meeting
or the Commissioners given this morning
TO discuss publicly the fourth section Of
the street extension plan, that such hear
1nss were popular. 1t was somewhat of
a new departure from the regular order
of things. and proved so successful that
other meetings will be given from time to
time in order that the public may have
chance to discuss the situation.
Ihis mornings hearing heightened into
the afternoon andf proved interesting
There was a general. discussion of the
plans presented ehd severy property holder
present was given an opportunity to ex-
press mis- views. IL. =.
Mr.. j. G. Olmsfeatb landscape engineer
who has this section under consideration.
presented several tentative plans of the
locality. The plan which was selected for
discussion was that which included the
section between the Naval Observatory
Circle and Connecticut avenue west of
Rock creek. This plan showed the streets
laid out in curves. There was a proposed
street pointed out as a main thoroughfare
ITO feet wide, r,fhniug from the proposed
bridge across Rock creek through the
middle of the territory ON a grade not
exceeding ) per cent, with comparatively
mcderat. cuts and fills, and adapted for
street railway. AS blamed it would ter
nitrate at Bath street extended.
A cross street running in a curved line
near Rock creek and connecting Massa-
chusetts avenue with the Geological Park
was also pointed out. There was also an
other cross road running from the Obser-
vatory circle to Connecticut avenue. Other
Gloss streets and roads. all laid out In
curved lines. were also explained, with the
intervening spaces cut up into blocks from
3O) to 500 feet. Woodley road was shown
readJusted, only being retained in places
and materially widened The Woodley Park
subdivision was wiped out entirely This
plan, explained Mr.. OlmStead, was adapted
to make the land available of subdivision
at less expense of grading and filling than
II the rectangular system were carried out.
There were places, he explained, where
the differences of level in 135 feet ex-
ceeded 800 feet. The plan also showed a
street running in gentle curve to the
south Of the Presidents house.
Maj. Powell introduced Mr.. Olmstead and
stated briefly that the object of the hear
ing was to get an expression of views from
the property holders as to what they con-
sidered the most advisable. an extension
of the rectangular system of the city
streets or curvilinear plan.
At the suggestion of Commissioner Ross
the property holders were asked separately
their views on the subject. Mr. j. B.
Winner felt that the topography of the
ground called for some curved streets. He
believed. however. the subject should be
fully inquired into before any plan was
finally adopted.
Mr.. c. C. Glover said he favored an ex-
tension of the city streets where the topog-
raphy of the country warranted it. He
was aware of the difficulties that existed
in grades and cuts, and said under those
conditions curved streets would be ac-
ceptable.
The Commissioners will examine the sit
uation further and give another public
hearing.