Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
The Question of Steam Railroads Pass
ing Through the City Streets.
COMPROMISE PLAN AGREED upon
Depressed and Elevated Tracks and
the Effect on Property.
SOME NEW IMPROVEMENTS

There is naturally much Importance at
| tach@d 10 the consideration v rich is row
| being given by the District Commissioners,
| the board of trade and others. to the pro-
posed plans for improving the method q:
| steam railroads passing through the city.
For years past, as is well known, grade
| crossings in the city have not only been
| the cause Of the loss of good many lives,
but has gradually brought about the de-
probation of property. From the stand
| point Of the property holder alone, as well
as of those who appreciate che Importance
| Of improved facilities for business and
resident purposes in the sections Of the
city traversed by steam railroads, this
question is one of vital consequence, and
VIII remain until satisfactory solution
| is reached.
Weil-posted men say that all that is
needed to demonstrate the depressing in
| nuence of the railroads on property is to
make an inspection of the various locali-
ties. 1t is said streets which We're once
handsome resident localities are now prac-
tically abandoned for all purposes, and
that property which was once paying a
good income yields almost nothing.
Prevented improvements.
It is said that the changes in values have
been in an inverse ratio to what has taken
place in other sections Of the city during
the last decade or so. 1t is further claimed
that property has not only fallen off in
value, but improvements which have been
so common in other sections of the city
have been to a large extent kent away
from the localities through which the RAFT
road tracks are laid. 1t is asserted that
this condition of affairs exists not only in
South Washington along Maryland ave-
nue. and Virginia avenue, but in the north
east
1t is understood that practical agree
ment has been reached by the District au-
thoritieS and by the representatives of the
railroad companies, and that Congress will
be called upon TO give it's sanction to a
bill which will provide for the undermining
Of the abroad system of passing through
city streets. 1t is said that the plan which
has thus far met with approval combines
what is known depressed tracks and
elevated tracks, both systems to be used
as seems best suited to the various sec
lions along which the railroad tracks are
laid
What In Proposed to he Done.
In accordance with such a system the
railroad tracks of the Pennsylvania road
are to be brought into the city to the pres
ent 9th street depot. When this work is
completed the property will not only be
improved but access will be had by the
streets of the city to all sections, so that
there will no longer be line of division
between the southwestern and southeast
ern sections OF tne Guy ana tfle IeIudiuilS
portions. This very facility of access, it
is thought, will add to the value OF the
property, not only directly, but indirectly
affected by this change.
In general way the same, 1t 1s said,
will be true of the northeastern section of
the city, through which the lines Of the
Baltimore and Ohio now pass. In addition
to the relief which will be afforded to the
property owners along the line of the road
ard the removal of danger from grade
crossings in going from that locality to
other parts of the city, 1t is stated that the
Baltimore and Ohio depot is to be removed
from it's present location to the square i'm
mediateiy east
an influence On property for quite a wide
area in the present locality of the depot,
and for this reason, as well as for others,
which are obvious. property owners, as well
as citizens, are looking forward with inter-
est to the consummation of these plans. 1t
is probable that great deal of the activity
which is anticipated in the near future in
the real estate market will be conferred in
property in the two sections which will be
affected by the proposed changes In the
railroad tracks, as above indicated.
Talk of u New Church EdiHee.
An interesting topic of conversation
among some of the members Of New York
Avenue Presby terrain Church is the new
edifice, which some think ought to be erect
ed for the use Of that large and fourshing
congregation. While this is not an entirely
Few subject, still 1t Is none the less an i'm
been no action taken either one way or the
rt har. flln ~