Evening star., 1898-11-15
BOARD OF TRADE
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grade crossings by the building of an
arched masonry viaduct of the Berlin type,
in the use of which there would be dis
| turbance of the grade of streets or street
car lines. no damage to property owners
from long. ugly approaches to high bridges
at certain streets, and there would be con-
venient passage way for the public under
the elevated structure at numerous points
The present terminal conditions OF our
local roads are injurious and disgraceful
to the capital of the American republic.
| The static ms compared with similar struct-
ures in Europe are inadequate in size,
awkwardly arranged and ugly. Both roads
sustain series of death-trap grade cross
ings at which losses of life and injuries TO
limb periodically occur. and which cause
financial loss to the city through the OBJ
struction to traffic and travel which occurs
at them.
Both roads have it is understood, agreed
with the District authorities upon the en-
cheering features of plans of terminal i'm
provement, and the necessary legislation
will 1t is expected. be asked at the next
session of Congress. The amount of the
contribution to be exacted from the Dis
trict in connection with the improve
ment of the Pennsylvania terminal syS-
TEN is. it is understood, the only serious
issue between the railroad on the one hand
and the Commissioners and the people of
the District on the other The adopted re-
port of the committee on bridges 20 which
nave Eeltffed eBNihtEateS cSEiutu oISelS
to the railroads bill against the public.
based upon the grant of valuable donations
of public property for the use and occupa-
ton of the railroad. which have been
Joyed in the past or whose future enjoyment
is involved in the acceptance of the rail-
roads proposition OF terminal improvement.
In the negotiations upon this point the Com
missioners and the board of trade will
doubtless cooperate, to the end that all
the equities of the District may be pre-
served.
When the local roads have built here
European stations, covering large areas of
ground, lofty, imposing and ornamental
structures, perhaps with fine modern hotels
In the upper stories, in London; when
they have abolished their local grade cross
lnSS and run rapid, noiseeSS trains over
Berlin viaduct or a girder tunnel in their
course through the city, and when both
cross the Potomac to southern connections
on handsome and substantial bridges, not
dams. not only will the attractiveness, safe
ty and material prosperity of Washington
be enhanced, but its suburbs will enjoy the
rapid transit facilities which have brought
such benefits and relief from congestion to
Berlin. The railroads. well the public,
will profit by this Improvement of their
service and broadening of their functions.
Street Railroad Developments.
1t is interesting to consider the develop
ment of the city's street railroads in this
connection. A local newspaper description
Buda-Pesth, which urged the adoption with
specified improvements of a similar system
in Washington said
1T is well within the bounds of probable
ity that Washington combining in its mu-
nicipal policy the push and progress
of the new with the solidity and safe
ty of the old world, will in the near
future become in the matter of local rapid
transit the model city not only of America
but of the world, to which students from all
parts of the globe will resort for suggestions
concerning the latest and best forms of
street railway motor" This prophecy is
being rapidly fulfilled. The capital has long
been notable as the only city in the world
in which the improved grooved rail has
entirely superseded the projecting. wheel
wrenching ''T' rail. The Buda Pesth un-
derground electric system, formerly sneered
al as commercially impracticable is being
extended with the suggested improvements
ever the entire city. Following the action
or the Metropolitan, this system has during
the year been installed upon all urban
branches of the Capital Traction system.
The stockholders of the Columbia road have
within the same period resolved to substi-
tute 1t for the cable. The Eckngton and
associated roads, forming the city and Sub
urban system will use the underground
electric upon their city lines, beginning
with the lexington. Even in the case of the
Anacostia road there is promise in connec-
ton with a recent change in ownership and
control of its equipment in the city with the
Improvement remaining to be accomplished
in the District street railroads is one which
VIII bind closer together by absorption or
by universal transfers or by common use
OF tracks the suburban and urban trunk
lines so that one may travel cheapIy, quick
ly and conveniently wherever in the Dis
trict the network of steel tracks extends
The Underground City.
The successful fight in Washington
against the overhead trolley has formed
part of a campaign against overhead wires
in general. In 1888 Congress passed a law
forbidding the erection of any additional
overhead wires within the city limits and
a fight to retain this law and to bury un-
foreground the overhead wires in place when
the law was enacted has ragged ever since.
Gh!s contention Will continue until general
conduit system has been established upon q
wise and Just basis which will perfect un-
foreground Washington on equal terms of
progress with the development of the sur
face city.