The morning times., 1897-02-11
SEVERAL CHANGES SUGGESTED
They Recommended the Entire Re-
moval of the Depot From Sixth
and Il Streets to South Washing
ton-The Contemplated Changes
Would Cost Over S25O,OOO.


The bill contemplates in the main, first,
that the intended revision of the railroad
company's line shall be along it's present
route through the city, and to and from the
passenger station on B street, except that
the Sixth street tracks are to be moved to
point west of the street.
Second. That the railroad company shall
have considerably increased area of the
Mall for terminal purposes, and shall also
have for its exclusive use, except in part,
for laying therein public under ground con-
struction, certain street spaces outside of
the space needed for four main tracks
Third. That the doing away of grade
crossings be effected in three ways: By
depressing the tracks so that part OF the
streets at the hign ground in Southeast
Washington will cross on bridges at grade,
or by closing certain streets, or by raising
bridges above present grades.
Fourth. That the Long Bridge be replaced
by new railroad and highway bridge,
near the site of the former.
No ment ion is made in the bill,' the
Commissioners note, '.of rent or taxes ON
to the railroad. The company now pays
rent on the part of the Mall il uses, and
rent for space for sidetracks in Canal street.
The bill would seem to relieve the company
OF such payments"
Tie street bridges are to be built by
the railroad company; bridge approaches
and wing walls and changes OF sewers,
water mains and street grades and all
a.
District, while one-half the cost OF the
new Long Bridge is to be borne by tile
company and one-half by the District and
the United States. The Commissioners re-
gard the Long Bridge provision as Just and
reasonable.
1t is found" they say, that the de-
preston OF tracks as proposed in the biz
and especially as insisted upon by the rail-
road company, would be highly unsatis
factory, there being other and better
means OF abolishing grades. The plan
would be expensive to the District and fix
permanent burden upon general street
traffic by forcing it to climb over the
tracks by high bridges, and make detours
on account of street closures. 1t also
grants to the railroad company very large
areas of park and other public space in
addition to that now occupied by it.
The estimated cost 10 the District Of
these foregoing plans OF track depression
and bridging, not counting damages TO
private property, is placed at S522. .040.
A convenient elevated system throughout
can, in the judgment of the Commissioners,
be applied. The passenger station would
be through depot. whose platform would
he elevated about 2 5 feet from the ground
floor of the station.
What is regarded. however, as superior
to either of the plans Just considered, is
route directly west on K street from the
tunnel to Water street, and along Water
street to i street, thence curying to the
approach OF the Long bridge. Not street
need he closed along the main tracks the
Commissioners say, by the adoption OF this
route
A depot branch would lead up Eighth
street on level to an end passenger station
on street, and coming out near the street
surface. The train platforms would be
about three feet above the street level at
the station and q little more along the
sides, and therefore convenient for hand
ling baggage, express, and mail. This is
just the kind of station which the coin
panys plan seeks to secure.
The only streets to be closed by this plan
would be Eighth street, between and c
streets, and d and E streets, partially.
The cost to the District for street work
would be $16s,7Os, the smallest for
any of the plans discussed, and the area
TO be occupied by the railroad would be
1,047 ,025 square feet
The yard would close street. from
etr
and Half streets, from / to Canal street,
and the small reservations, IN whole or i'll
part, numbered 2S7, 2sS and ESQ. 1t
would remove existing tracks alongside
of Garfield Park to the south side of
Canal street.
The wall of the elevated yard would
be sixty feet north OF the south side of
the street, between New Jersey avenr e
and G street. Canal street is now filled
by ten tracks There is no authority Of
Congress to use this street as railroad
ward The Commissioners plan would
transfer the route to X street, and allow
space for four tracks. The area of public
| space within the yard would be loo, ,42S
| square feet
geographically, they say, the depot site
| of plan 5 is fitted for d passenger station Of
| an architectural design, and of capacity
| and accommodation worthy of the great
| railroads and the National Capital.
The report does not fail to recommend the
, previously agitated plan of an entire re-
| moval of all railroad tracks and the b
| street depot from the Mall, and the building
| of an union depot for all railroads in South
Washington, thus Kidding that splendid
| park Of the blight which has been an eye
| sore to Washingtonians for so many years.
| Itissuggestedt that Congress intende that
| occupancy of the Mall should only be tenn
porary and also that the RAILROAD COM
Dapy has transcended the right given 1t
to condemn for its use right OF way outside
| of public highways, by occupying the streets
| of the city.
| In conclusion, the Commissioners recon-
| mend the adoption of the method of doing
away with grade crossings, substantially
| as described by the plan aforementioned
of an end depot.
| To summarize the expense TO the DIS
trict of the depot plan, would. comprise
| S257 $685. including changes of grades, etc
| tbe purchase of the street depot buildings
assessed at ST. 90, 900; the value represented
| nv the grant Of 1905 square feet OF
space more than now used by the railroad'
| the cost of restoring the surfaces ofstreets
after removal of tracks, and an indefinite
amount for damages to private property
| While the Commissioners are impressed
with the urgent desirability OF abolishins
grade crossings and the establishment o.
an improved and permanent railway routes
and terminal facilities suitable to the Ma
tional Capital, they recognize that as Wash
| ington snot commercial city the expense