Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-15

lion WIN the presence OF the new reservoir
around which is two-hundred-foot bouIe,
ward, the Howard University grounds, and
the government park below the grounds
render a continuation of Vermont avenue
%hoHy unnecessary. 1t would. therefore,
De OF no material advantage to the general
pubic. They say that the section trayersed
by the extension is not of a character to
warrant the great expense, and urge that
sne circle at the intersection of Vermont
avenue and Grant street be made the ter
minus.
IN support of the contention that tho
avenue should not he DETECTED, they say
shorter and less expensive route and
would strike less improved property. They
add; by DETECTING to the west, in ac-
S c,9 with the proposed extension, the
the grade is more difficult and the prop.
erty In the line of such extension is more
valuable. After the avenue passes the
me OF Lincoln avenue 1t runs almost par
aHei with 4th street extended and but q
snort distance from 1t. 1t passes diason-
ally through block of the Howard Uni
versity subdivision, entering it near the
soutnwest corner, and passing out at the
northeast corner. Lots g. Z, s, o. TO- Is
and 10. in said block, containing 81, 900
square feet, aie owned by Edward A. Bal.
ioch. trustee. Said lots are improved by a
large dwelling house, stable and outbuild-
II gs, and have been occupied as a home
by Gen. Geo. w. Balloch for many years
Let's numbered IA. 49, 10 and Ii are owned
by James B. johnson. and are improved
by large and valuable dwelling house,
stable and outbuildings. and occupied by
him as residence. Lot 10 of said block
is owned by Sterling N. Brown, and is
improved by dwelling house and occupied
by him as home. These properties have
been adorned with trees Of selected va.
rieties. and shrubs of various kinds, of
great value to the owners. The extension
IL carried out as proposed, will either alb
sorb said lots entirely or leave them in
such shape as to be utterly worthless The
houses of Gen. Balloch and Mr. johnson
stand in about the center of the avenue as
extended. and will, of course. be entirely
destroyed. This property is situated on
high bank, much above the grade of 7th
street. which the avenue must intersect,
which will necessitate deep cut through
the grounds, to be made only at great ex-
pense. The act of Congress authorizing the
extension requires the Commissioners to
harmonize as far as possible public con-
venfence with economy of expenditure
(See section p That the expense of the
proposed extension will be greatly in
creased with that of an extension of the
avenues present lines is very obvious.
That the public will be greatly convenience
is difficult to see The only parties to be
really benefited by the proposed extension
are the owners Of unimproved lots In the
subdivision known as Whitney Close ly-
ing Just south of Whitney avenue and ad-
jacent to the Soldiers Home.
eff the avenue is to be detected at all"
the petitioners continue, ut should be
done at the least expense, and a detection
of 100 feet or more to the west Of the pro-
posed extension would avoid the highest
grade and would rot pass through any
valuable improvements. They point out
that the Soldiers Home is not a public
park, and may be closed at any time by
the authorities of the institution. In such
an event an extension of the avenue In a
straight line SO as to meet the reservoir
instead of the home would be far more
convenient to the public, as the home is
already within easy access by existing
routes.
THE language Of the act" say the pro-
testants. under which the extension is to
take place shows clearly that it was the
legislative purpose that no detection of
streets ard avenues should be made in the
extension. except such as were made from
necessity, or what was almost tantamount
thereto. and this view conserves the rights
of private citizens whose property Is to
be taken. 1t Is to be presumed that IN
making their investments and improve
ments they have been Influenced by the
consideration that the streets of the city
would some time be extended into the coun-
try, and when so extended would De IN
conformity to the general plan of the city
Any detection or deviation, therefore, In
the extensions ought not to be made. ex-
cept upon the gravest considerations ana
for very valid reasons. 1t is therefore re-
spectfully submitted that Vermont avenue,
as ar avenue, ought not to cross It'll street.
The approaches to the reservoir Douie.
ward and Soldiers Home will be ample. not
only for the present, but for the remote
future without the extension OF the ave-
nue. beyond that street.
Suxeesttons to the Commission.
One of the latest letters to he received
ing an extension of Connecticut avenue in
a straight line, and an extension of 1sth
10Th. ODD and Kenyon streets. He disclaims
any intention of giving to his suggestions
the intensity of protest. for he believes
that the plan IS generally a good one. while
needing some notifications ana changes IN
harmony with The original plans OF the
city. He believes that the proposed devia-
ticn of Connecticut avenue through WASH
ington Heights is entirely unnecessary ana
would be a continuing and increasing mis-
fortune on economic, practical ana es-
thetic grounds. 1.-The prospective grandeur
of this avenue" he says, contemplated In
q straight line would be destroyed by this
deviation, which amounts to total OBJ
to the view"
Mr.. Mcpherson says that In his opinion
r one of the reasons given for the def1ec-
ton of the avenue are worthy Of serious
consideration, and declares that several
houses have been erected in the straight
the chances of its proper extension, while
q church is now being erected In its direct
line on the Phelps tract, with a design Of
perpetuating this misfortune by senti-
mental means" This, he says, is most
vicious method, and ought not to be per-
mitted. All that part of Columbia road
north Of Florida avenue to it's first angle
or intersection with or near California ave-
nue. should be abandoned as unnecessary.
He deplores the Unfortunate and inharmon-
ious nature of the subdivision lying be-
tween Champlain avenue, 18th street, Flor
ida avenue and Columbia road, which, he
says, is probably beyond remedy, and is a
condition the continuance of which, like
other Emergencies, is to be forever deplored
with the more regret as the city increases.
street should have been extend
ed due northward. and such part of Cham
plain avenue as would nearly coincide
should be abandoned. and the remainder
a place. Also. though 10th
street may never be corrected, its deflec-
ton. says Mr.. Mcpherson, will never be
justified. and 1t should be extended due
from Florida avenue In con-
clusion Mr.. Mcpherson says:
ut should require almost insuperable OBJ
stacIes to justify any deviation Of the gen
eral plan Of the city, or permit the defiec-
ton Of any principal avenue or street, and
the wishes or conveniences of any person
adverse to the law or such general plan
are not entitled to consideration. This plan
Is for the good and grandeur Of the future.
There is not a single detection or deviation
from the plan of the city but what Is deem