Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-09
Hearing Given by Commissioners to
Interested Parties.
SYSTEM EXPLAINED BY CAPT. BLACK
Large Majority Satisfied With the
Modified Plans.
THE GRADE CROSSINGS

A hearing was given today by the Dis
trict Commissioners to those interested in
section of the proposed plan of street ex-
tensions; Commissioners Ross and Black
were present, Commissioner Wight being
absent at the Capitol. A very large num-
Der Of citizens were present, ana, with few
exceptions, expressed themselves as being
fully satisfied with the modified plan.
finished map of the section, which lies
north of Florida avenue between North
Capitol street and the Eastern branch and
extends Of course, to the District line, was
| forwarded to the highway commission
about year ago, a public hearing being
gwen by the commission the following Oc-
tober Twenty-thrce protests were then en-
tered against various details in the plan by
Interested parties, and the attention of the
commission was particularly directed to-
| ward the question of grade crossings in the
suburban parts of the District So many
points of detail were thus introduced that
the commission returned the map last No
vember to the District Commissioners, with
Authority to revise any part or all of the
| plan, according to their Judgment.
| The protests were duly cor sidered by the
Comm -ssioners, and their recommendations
concerning them were embodied in report
submitted several months ago. The plans
since then have been held to await some
! definite understanding with the Baltimore
dilu oiilO ISdilTCdU SOtHpdHy DIS W INC III
| tire alignment of its tracks, the question
| Of grade crossings receiving the most care
| ful consideration of the Commissioners.
The Changes Made.
Many changes were made in accordance
| with the protests filed before the commits
| sion, where they were clearly in the inter
| est Of economy, and where the general plan
was not greatly affected. The plan for
abolishing the grade crossings in the coun-
| ty was made along the lines CT most favor
able travel, and where the topography made
the overhead or sunken way easy of con-
| structic1. The cross Egs have thus bsen re-
duced from $50 by the former plan to less
| than forty by the revised S. stem.
| All this explained to the interested
ro rites at todays hearing by Commissioner
Black. He also stated that the revised plan
| is more ecCno mical and better adapted to
the needs of the section. An ideal plan, he
explained, was not possible under the cir
cun1stances, and no radical departure could
be made from the former scheme. He
stated that it could be said of section 2, as
Of the other sections, that the existing ir-
regular subdivisions marred the attempted
harmony of the plan, the interests of econ
omy making it necessary to weave in these
subdivisions, or else make them a frame
work for the system. The typographical
features of the northeast are such, he said
as to allow a close copy of the city plan, a
few isolated places necessitating curved
streets slight break in the system.
Capt. Black explained the plan proposed
for the abolishment of grade crossings I'M
der the agreement reached between the
Commissioners and the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company as heretofore published
in The Star, and expressed the opinion that
the company means to do all 1t has agreed
to do in the matter, and that just as soon
as the necessary permission from Congress
is obtained, early next session, 1t is ex-
pected.
An Objection Filed.
Mr.. W. G. Henderson objected to the
proposed obliteration of Delaware avenue,
as well the closing up of Q and r
streets, and Seaton street east of 9th and
west of Brentwood avenue. He said he
could see no necessity therefor, whereupon
Capt. Black said it would be impossible to
continue Delaware avenue as first proposed
without great expense, because of the very
broken condition of the land. He explained
that no existing streets will be abandoned,
and that the proposed changes under the
agreement reached with the Baltimore and
Ohio company will not become matters of
absolute certainty until the company is
authorized by Congress to make the pro-
posed change of routes. That is, said Capt.
Black, no changes have been noted on the
map in that connection, and will not be, SO
that If the railroad company's. plan does
not go through the present plan of streets
in lexington will not be altered.
Mr.. Henderson and Mr.. j. c. Bancroft re-
ferred TO the proposed viaduct on Delaware
avenue, and the former stated that he will
oppose it at the proper time. Mr.. l.. G.
Loomis said the revised plan is perfectly
satisfactory to him and also to the man
ayers of the Lutheran Home for the Aged.
Mr.. Loring Chapel also expressed his sat
isfaction with the modified plan, saying that
the people of the northeast section are very
grateful to the Commissioners for so sat
isfactorily solving the grade crossing prob
lem.
Assurance OF Changes.
Mr.. Conway Robinson, on behalf of the
Robinson heirs, suggested certain minor
changes in the map, and was assured that
they will probably be made. Mr.. c. c.
Drncanson on behalf of the owners of the
Ivy City race track grounds, objected to
the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio
&C mpany being diverted through the tract,
claiming that it would very materially
damage its value. He said the owners OF
the ground would be glad to have New
York avenue extended through it, and
would donate ground, but he suggested
that the tracks OF the Metropolitan branch
be diverted to those of the Washington
branch. as the latter now exists.
Mr.. NJ. l. Weller said he hoped Delaware
avenue would be carried out as first pro-.
posed, but that he would abide by the de-
cision of tie Commissioners in the matter.
He expressed his qualification at the pro-
pc sed doing away with of grade crossings,
as did Mr.. Ralph Tucker. who said the re-
vls ed plan comes as near being perfect as
possible. He thought the people of Eek
irSton have no reason to complain, and
expressed his gratitude to the Commits
sioners for making such a great step to-
and holt Df IL.