Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-23
NEW ROAD TO ROCKVILLE
Probable Extension of the Georgetown and
Tenleytown Line.
Mr.. Crosby and Party Yesterday Went
Over the Proposed Route From
Bethesdn Park to Rockville.

1t is probable that continuation of what
Is known as the Bethesda branch of the
Georgetown and Tenieytown railroad will
be built In the near future to Rockville,
Nd Yesterday Mr.. Crosby, the president
of the Georgetown and Tenleytown Rail-
road Company, in company with several
visitors, drove in q wagon from Bethesda
Park to Rockville. They went by what Is
known as the Old pike, in distinction from
the Rockville pike. 1t is understood that
the purpose of the trip was to make an in
spection Of the route of the proposed rail-
road. This enterprise has been discussed
for some time, and much has been said
in the newspapers and in private conversa-
tion about an electric road between George
town and Rockville that the people who
live in the locality affected and who own
property there are inclined to be skeptical
about statements that the road is to be
built. For some time past all such stories
have been dismissed as mere rumors.
Now, however, 1t is said on very good
authority that the Rockville section of the
road is to be built, and that, too, in the
near future. AS is Well known, MIR. Crosby
is interested in the syndicate which recent
ly purchased the Columbia and Maryland
railroad, including also the lexington and
Belt railroads IN this city. He is also the
president CT the Potomac Electric Lighting
Company CT this city, as well as president
of the Georgetown and Tenieytown. 1t can
readily be understood that he is a busy
man just at present, and especially the
railroad properties just purchased by the
syndicate are in such a condition of tansle,
legal and otherwise, that complicated hard
ly expresses the actual state of affairs.
However, 1t is understood TO be Mr.. CrCS-
by's hope to be able to give sufficient at
tention to the affairs CT the Georgetown
and Tenleytown railroad as to be able to
arrange for the commencement, in a short
ttol lxtFil Ia
extension.
Six Miles to Rockville.
The new section of the road will begin at
Bethesda and will he built, presuma ply,
slorg what is known as the Old road to
Rockville, a distance of orly six miles. Tie
new road Will pass along the western edge
of such flourishing suburban communities
as kensington and Garrett Park and the
ether places that have sprung up between
those points and Rockville proper. 1t is be-
lieved that sucn road viii be of a great
benefit, not only to Rockville and this city,
bGt to the entire stretch of country In the
vicinity of the road between the two places.
1t is understood that only one track OF the
extension viii be laid at present, switches
or turn-outs teing provided at intervals, SO
that the trains may pass each other. Inc
proposed route is through level stretch
of country, and il is said that very little
grading will Re required. There is only
one hill of any consequence on the entire
route, and that one is at the Mount zion
Church, and is only short one.
The distance from Georgetown to ROCK
Vile by the line of the existing railroad and
the proposed extension is said to be thir-
teen miles. The road is already built ana
in operation from Georgetown to Bethesda
Park, distance of seven miles, leaving, as
has been stated, an interval of SIX miles 10
complete.
The Present Condition.
According to the present schedule Of the
road cars are now run from Georgetown to
the District line, but it is expected that
the northern terminus OF this section will
soon be extended to the subdivision a
short distance farther north known as
West Chevy Chase, formerly Somerset
Heights. The cars, instead of stopping at
the District line, will stop at West Chevy
| Chase. Then there are otner cars that run
all the way through to Bethesda Park.
During the past summer the company op-
Grated the Glen Echo line as a branch of
their road from the circle at Chevy Chase
to Glen Echo, but the travel is very light
during the winter this service has been dis
continued.
Since Mr. j. Hite Miller the vice president
and general manager of the road, entered
upon his duties last May, that portion of
the road between Georgetown and the Dis
trict line has been much improved, both as
regards the roadhed and the general equip
ment. The section of the road from the
District line to Bethesda is not, it is said
in good condition. 1t is the expecta-
ton that when the addition is built that
the balance OF the line will be placed in
Erst-class shape. so that the new road to
Rockville will not suffer from the disad-
vantage of a poor equipment 1t is said
that the road is now paying expenses.
on the 1st of January Mr.. Miller will no
longer perform the duties of general man
ager. and Mr.. Hall. formerly Of Baltimore
Will take that position.