The times., 1899-01-11
FOR RAILWAY EXTENSION
Reports Submitted by the Dis
trict Commissioners.
ONE PROJECT APPROVED
The Metropolitan guiIroud Improve
mcnt Regarded with Favor
Changes In the Biu SuES"Stc;i-
City ana Suburban Cross-To,yn
Line Sot Desirable at Present.

The District Commissioners Yesterday
submitted to Congress their report on the
bill now before that body for the extern
sion OF the Metropolitan Railroad throuen
Eleventh Street extended northwest. to d
point on what is known as the Mattingly
tract, opposite Sheridan Street The route
of the proposed extension as recited in the
bill is as follows:
From the present terminus of the road on
Tenth Street northwest, north along Tenth Street
TO Florida Avenue; thence west along Florida
Avenue the intersection TIE tine, ni .cycnth
Street northwest projected, with Florida Avenue:
thence north 10 Iydcchcr Avenue, along said
Eleventh Street, extended. th, nee westward along
Iydecker Avenue, and acr0s, IIolmc1i Avenue anil
through the tract Of land known the MAttinGly
tract. 10 u point nearly oppo it, Sheridan Avenue
and Fourteenth Street northwest.
The proposed extension of the MetropoIi-
tan Railroad has met with some opposition
from the other lines in the city having
ter1nini near the point where the Metro
politan proposes TO start its suburban line.
This railroad company has another bill
before Congress for permission TO construct
a line on Brightwood Avenue from its
present terminus to a point near the Rock
Creek Road
The same road has another line which
runs out Connecticut Avenue extended to
2 point near Rock Creek Park. 1t is
claimed that if this company secures all
the privileges il will practically have 4
monopoly of the suburban traffic. This is
not In accordance with the wishes of many
citizens residing along the route. as they
have desire to see what the other roads
Will do in this respect and give them an a
chance for the suburban railroad privi-
leges.
The Commissioners lean toward this view
of the matter, although. as no other road
has made application for the proposed eX-
tensions, they consider themselves in duty
bound to report favorably on any matter
which will be of evident benefit to the
residents along the route of the proposed
extension.
The report on the matter is as follows:
The route named in this bill for the location Of
the railroad is believed 10 be the most adyan-
tagecus for a railroad line which is to serve
this section of the District, it being on Eleventh
Street, about midway between Fourteenth and
Seventh Streets.
The present system Of street extensions for tn,
first section doe not include Eleventh Street, a.
by law the street extension plans could not be
made TO embrace existing subdivisions. 1t would
therefore seem TO he better TO the words
''on the map or plan OF the first suburban sec
tion OF the plan OF the extension OF i permanent
system Of highways approved and on record in the
Office oi the surveyor of The District Of Columbia.
in lines 10 to - Of the bill. and insert in place
thereof the following: In House bill No. lO47i,
Fifty nth Congress. second session"
The present plans Tor street extensions change
the position cf the street north Of Whitney
Avenue between Hpimcad Avenue and Fourtcrnth
Street slightly. that the words opposite How
ard AvcHUe' Should be changed to read nearly
opposite Sheridan Street,
The Belt Railway Company has filed letter
with The Commissioners stating that that com
pany. having recently come under more visor-
Gus management. Is entitled 10 an outlet into the
suburban section north 81 Florida Avenue, and asks
that il be allowed tn 60 MP Eleventh Street and
that the Metropolitan Company be required TO
Use more easteIly line. that both companies
be permitted TO uSc the same tracks on Eleventh
street. The Commissioners recognize the fact
that within 4 few years il will not be for the
best interests of the public have the Belt Rail
way confined To its present terminus and that
ihcre i Justice IN that conpanys claim for right
OF extension
The Metropolitan Company has asked for per
mission 20 90 up Seventh Street well. as
Eleventh Street. II il believed that under these
Circumstances it would he only equitable. and
also advantageous 10 the interests of the public.
if Tie Belt Railway Company also he given an
outlet into the territory north Of Florida AvcnHe,
and the Commissioners suggest t'at such exteEson
be Authorized through Eleventh Street. extended,
under such conditions AS Congress may see fit TO
| prescribe.
The Commissioners would recommend favorable
| action upon thS bill.
The Commissioners yesterday also sub
mitted the following report to the Senate
on the bill to authorize the City and Su-
| burban Railroad Company to extend their
| lines so as to form cross town road.
This bill practically provides for a cross-toar
| line through Il and : Streets, between Lincoln
| Avenue northeast and Massachusetts Ayenu,
| northwest.
| That cross town line would be OF advantag,
| 10 tho public is well recognized fact II is be
| lieycd. that owing to The amount Of track nov
| in existence upon and T. Streets and the de
sirabiitr OF keeping of the free fror
| railway tracks if possible. and the further fac
1 that | Street, between Seventh and Eighteenth
| Streets. now practically constitutes L cross-towr
| line for tlat Territory. that cross-town Iint
| upon the east and west streets little farthc
south would be of more general advantage t,
| the public Than one upon Il and : Streets
Ia general, cro---toyn line is an unrcmunera
tive piece OF property hy itself. and is only valu
| able TO a railway company a feeder and o
| benefit 20 the pubic for transfer facilities whcl
| IT offers to intcrScctng lines running toward Tn
| center Of the city, into the country. 1t i
| therefore believed that cToss-tovn line sloul,
be one which will give transfers to all lines in
| tcrscctiRg its route, and should. If possible b
one in which all OF the intersccting cOInpanie