Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-16
Securing Land for the Extension Of
Streets and Avenues.
LOANING MONEY ON MARYLAND REALTY
Increase in the Area of the lnflu-
ence of the District.
WINS OF TIE CITY

Progress IS being made in procuring the
right of way for the widening and extern
sion of certain streets beyond the old limits
of the city, as authorized by a law passed
at the last session of Congress. The YER
dict of the third jury appointed to award
damages and benefits for the widening of
18th street is to be formally acted upon by
the court in the course of the next few
days, while juries have considered the
benefits and damages that would result
from the proposed extension of Goth and S
streets. AS to the extension of Rhode Island
avenue, jury has that matter under con-
sideration.
There are a number of other streets, the
extension of which was authorized by Con-
gress. but so far nothing has been DONE
These proceedings as to the several streets
and avenues to be extended when COM
pleted, will only result in placing in the
name of the government the title to the
land which will be included in the proposed
extension and widening. One-half of the
cost Of the land is to be paid by the United
States and the other half by the District
the latter. however, being assisted by the
receipt of the benefits assessed by the
Juries against the property owners.
1t is considered an important step in the
future development of the city that the
public is acquiring this land, so that when
the money becomes available for the open
ing and Improvement, as 1t is expected it
viii IN the usual course of appropriations
1or street improvements. the work can pro-
coed without waiting to secure the neces-
sary right of way. When these proceedings
are completed the streets affected will be
placed in the same class as those now
awaiting improvement.
Widening Territory.
The practical identity of large section
OF the states of Maryland and Virginia con-
uguous to this District, with the business
and other interests of the city, has been
recognized for some time. No definite line
marks, nor is it believed that such a line
can be drawn, which would indicate exactly
where the local interestssend and those of
the citizens of the states referred to begin
There is no question that such a line would
have varying diameter from the business
cebter of the city. sire tching at some points
eight and ten miles away and perhaps
farther.
This area of influence has no doubt been
steadily expanding during the past decade.
and now it is expected that. under the new
conditions of street railway facilities which
are being installed. the territory brought
under the influence of, the District will be
much larger.
Growth i'm Population.
The population within the bounds of the
city during this period has increased, and
ment, SO that the city of today is very diff
ferent from the Washington of even ten
years ago. The full significance Of this
movement in the city, however, cannot be
appreciated unless due account is taken of
what has been going on in the country con-
tguous to the District. A large region be-
You'd its bounds and much larger in ex-
tent than the sixty odd square miles in
Guided within its limits has been practically
added nv piti Iii
their home there and bound to this terri
tory by almost every tie OF business and
of society and family.
Recognition of this condition has been of
such substantial character that there can
be no mistake as to the meaning, an in
stance being the great sums of money
which are now being expended on the re-
Fertilization of what are known as Subur-
ban lines of street railroads and the extern
sion of some.
Loans on Maryland Property.
There are other indications perhaps as
striking, and now it is said the directors of
the Equitable Building Association are con-
s!dering the policy Of extending the area Of
their loans SO that they can pass beyond
the bounds of the District into Maryland.
These men recognize the fact that the pop
ulation for miles beyond the District
bounds is practically one people with those
within it's limits, having the same interests.
and therefore they believe that no more
artificial line, such as 1.-The limits of the
District" should be recognized when ap-
plications are made for loans.
From this point of view business from
beyond the line is as much local as that
from the actual District residents. District
people. however criticiSe the laws relating
to mortgages in Maryland, and say that the
process of foreclosures is so hampered with
details and delays that Before any great
amount of loans can be made from this
city it is thought that changes in the laws
will be necessary.
To Protect the Grass.
The parking commission, which has done
such admirable work In providing the city
with the trees which adorn the streets. and
which are looked upon as one of the chief
charms of the nations capital, win no
doubt be soon called upon to consider what
can be done to keep alive the grass on the
parkings Immediately beneath the trees.
The branches have become so large and
the foliage so heavy with the growth which
has resulted in the rearing of almost a
forest covering the site af the city, that the
rays of the sun seldom find entrance to
the grass plot which surrounds the base
of the trees.
closely cut sward, ugly bare places are
making their appearance in the surfaces
of the parkings along the streets. and,
while householders have. asda rule, done
every lhliS III tHcA pOWCI " ~ oAAolC sAO
growth of the grass. they Fave not sue
ceeded
A Much AdmirsA Feature.
Of course, they have no authority to
touch the trees, as they are under the care
of the parking commission and are public
property. The defect is becoming so gen.
eral that it is hoped the commission will
be able to devise some means of checking
the destruction Of the lawns throughout
the city and promoting the growth Of the
grass in the waste places.
The Importance of preserving these lawn
spaces along the streets is, of course, thor
oughly appreciated, for, in addition to more
important considerations, this feature of
the city is distinctive, and gives rise to as
much adnliring comment from visitors as
does any other. 1t seems so odd to the
dweller in the average city to come to a
place where, as most OF them put it, every
house has lawn in front of it. 1t is the
preservation of these lawns on both sides
OF the sidewalk that requires the considera-
ton of the authorities