Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-30

two under cOnstruc-
ton. and various projected lines. radiate
from he city il every direction. like spokes
from the hub of a wheel.
In this respect the Washington system
closely resembles that of the German cities
which DIR. Albert Shaw described in the
Century Magazine in 1891. In the course of
the article he said
The suburban tendency is the key to the
recent municipal development everywhere
This tendency demands the distinct recog-
milton of series of main thoroughfares
that shall make easy the movement of
population TO and from the business CEN
ter. No such condition of things was rec
ognized fifty years ago. All German cities
are now adjusting their street systems to
the demands for quick transit.
The usual American system IS the sim
pie checker board The German system is
combination of the radial and concentric.
with the rectangular and parallel: and 1t
needs no argument to show that the COM
bination system is by far the most con-
venient. Main thOroughfares in German
cities are today more conveniently planned
and carried through than in American
cities
Fortunately the city of WASHINGTON was
so laid out by L'Enfant that the system of
radiattng rapid transit lines to the suburbs
in each direction can and has been adon,-
ed. But little has thus far been done in
building conCentric lines outside of the
CITY proper. but ii is only question of
Few years. 1t Is thought, when the rapidly
growing suburbs Will require intercom-
munication by such lines and particularly
VIII the suburban villages need transpor-
tation facilities to the Gordon Of parks
surrounding the city.
The seven existing suburban electric
roads. using the popular instead of cor
porate names. are follows: The Rock
Creek. the Brightwood. the TenIeytown,
hE Hon Efhh rif.(
ton and the Mt. Vernon.
As Is well known, the first four have been
In existence for some time, but the last
three have only recently been opened
Rock Creek Road.
The Rock Creek line to the Geological
Park and to Chevy Chase was pioneer in
setting an excellent example TO the roads
in this city and in other cities of the Unit
ell States which have suburbs to develop.
by thorough construction AMI equipment.
and particularly by adopting the urder-
ground electric system for the portion of
us i'm" IN the city. In fact. the people Of
Washington are largely indebted to this
company for helping defeat the MANY and
persistent attempts which We're made by
other companies to introduce the overhead
trolley system within the city limits TIE
complete success of its un !argr1unJ s,-s
tenn from the boundary along l. straet n
Gth street attracted the attention of Com
EreSS and also drew here manv .aIe,ra,ions
OI CITY rlItciaIS from other places. which
We're seeking system which would sun
plant the overhead trolley in business cen
ttrS.
How thoroughly the Rock Creek road was
hunt Is shown in its cost. The total cost of
the main line Overhead syS.e.ip from tho
city boundary To Chevy Chase was in
round numbers. 81 .n:1 .uDp. This includes
Fpth construction and equipment
me cost OF the underground system on L
street was $147.uor
S.nc% the line was completed a road has
been built from its northern terminus -
HtnSlnGton. Md. two miles further north
which is owned by a company distfnct
rom mat which owns the Rock Creek
rad. N
BriEhtwood Road.
The Brightwood line has been iastru-
mental in developing and popularizins the
suburban tendency. Extending from, ths
city to the District boundary. in Other
words. from the end Of the 18th street cable
line 10 the boundary and also to Ia
koma Park. it has stimulated tho
growth of Petworth. Brightwood. Takona
Park and the country north of the District
through which II will soon be extended
either ny Its own construction or by con-
heS1on with lines projected to Forest Glen
Burnt Mills and Sandy Spring 4 con,Da1v
has recently been organized. composed of
citizens of Baltimore, Washington and
Sandy Spring, to build an electric road to
the last mentioned place
To supplement the projected line to Sandy
Spring. an electric road has also been pro-
iected still further north to Sykesyille
Westminster and Gettysburg thereby maxi
ing through line about seventy miles
long from the national capital to the Ma
tlonal Military Park at that place The
intermediate country. which is very fertile
and containing a thrifty population has
al area as large as the whole state of Rhode