Evening star., 1898-06-21
THE HIGHWAY ACT.
Definite Action Should BE Taken on
1t by Congress-.

| 1t by Congress.
| To the Editor of The Evening Star:
| We have experienced a general depres-
| sion in business which has been Of ma
| tional character, affecting not only all sec
| tions, but all individuals and all interests.
| 1t has existed for the last five or six years.
| Consequently, of course, Washington, as a
| city, and the people of Washington have
been forced to participate in this general
| depression-at least, to a limited extent.
| Not only assuming, but admitting, that
Washington has suffered, We are neverthe-
| less put upon inquiry while considering the
| growth of the District of Columbia during
| the past five or six years, and its present
prospect of future development, and the
| question very naturally arises: If Wash
| ington city proper, and the immediate sub
urbs thereof has been able to accomplish
| SO much during the past five or six years,
| and through a period of national and local
| financial depression and almost suspension
| of business, what would have been accom-
| plished by our people, and what develop
| ments and improvements would have been
made during the same period, II what we
commonly call good times had prevailed?
| So much has been done that We naturally
wonder whether the people of Washington
have really suffered as those of other cities
| have suffered, and whether We have not ac-
complishd more than others during the
same period.
| Without having the time to investigate or
| the disposition to go too much at length
| and into details, 1t may be well to mention
some of the leading and more important
attainments during the period named.
First, it is to be remembered that in the
spring of 1898 Congress passed the street
extension legislation known as the high
way act'' without appropriating any money
| to execute its provisions. Since that date
strenuous effort has been made by some
of onr In the raneal thereof.
while others and the District authorities
have eXerted every effort to execute It,
This uncertainty of itself has been of great
disadvantage, has caused delay ana pre-
vented improvements.
A Because of the effect upon titles
caused by the maps which have been filed,
| creating cloud thereon, and so reported
| by all title insurance companies of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
B. Because of the uncertainty as to the
execution thereof in view of the failure on
the part of Congress to make necessary ap-
propriations to complete the plan, or repeal
the same in toto.
c. Because of the extent thereof as at
present proposed, it being of national and
not local character, and so expensive that
neither the national government nor the
District of Columbia is willing to incur the
expense of executing its provisions.
D. Because of the strong effort which has
been made to secure its repeal, and uncer-
tainty as to the success thereof
This law executed or repealed. will re-
move the great clOuQ Wn1cn mas Dt6D cast
upon all suburban real estate and allow
improvements and developments to go on,
and permit again the free exercise of those
inalienable property rights which the peo-
pie of the District of Columbia as Ameri-
can citizens are supposed to enjoy, through
the medium of the Constitution of the
United States.
Second-Rock Creek Park. consisting of
tract of land along the line of Rock creek
of almost 1000 acres, has been acquired at
q cost of more than million of dollars, and
perpetually dedicated as and for public
park and pleasure ground for the benefit of
the people of the United States.
Third-The Geological Park has been i'm
proved and made what it is today, although
the land was secured just before the COM
mencement of the period named.
Fourth-Electric underground system Of
street railways have, been established on
the more important lines in the city, ie.,
the Capital Traction and the Metropolitan,
which has involved the expenditure of large
amounts of money, and several electric
roads have penetrated different sections of
the suburbs and provided many miles of
rapid transit to localities which have here
tofore been remote and inaccessible.
Fifth-A large reservoir has been estab-
lished at Fort Reno. Tenleytown, and a
water main has been laid from Tenleytown
to Brightwood and thence to Takoma Park.
thereby furnishing public water supply to
all the northern section of the District.
SiXth-The improvements known as
Brightwood Park, Petworth, Cleveland
Park. Chevy Chase and other subdivisions
have been largely established within said
period.
Seventh-Streets, east and west of 14th
street. have been graded and regulated and
extensive and costly improvements. consist
ing of apartment houses, flats and hand
some dwellings in great number, have been
constructed between the city and Mount
Pleasant, so that today Piney branch is as
effectually the boundary of the city from
the standpoint of improvements as Florida
avenue was five years ago, extending there
by the city mile further northward.
Eighth--The fire department has estab-
lished engine houses at Brightwood and
Mount Pleasant. and the request of the
Northwest Citizens Association for one at
Tenleytown has been favorably considered.
Ninth-A large sewer has been laid from
the boundary Of the city along Rock creek
and Piney branch and extending to Ia
koma Park. which affords sewer privilege