Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-27

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missioners believe that they should be sit
uated reasonably close to the center of the
city. For the handling of heavy freight it
is highly desirable thatt station be con-
nected with the city by improved modern
roadways of easy grade. To locate the sta
ton as recommended by the Citizens As
ISOLATION would move it mile further from
the city to a place which could not now
be reached by existing roads or streets.
A longer and more difficult haul and in
creased expense to the merchants, build
ers and citizens generally of the entire city
| receiving or sending freight over the l5alti-
more and Ohio railroad via this station
would be the result of this plan.
The question of the grades of the rail-
road is a most important one Should the
committee desire to go into the matter in
detail, and will so inform the Commission
ers, an engineer will be sent up to explain
fully to the committee the conditions which
would result from the adoption of the plan
proposed by the Citizens Association.
Harmony cemetery is a colored burying
ground, and it is needless to enlarge upon
the objections which would be sure to be
presented to any entrance. upon it by the
railroad company.
Generally speaking, propositions of the
character under discussion involve the con-
sderation of three parties-the general pub
lie, the railroad company and the owners
of the property locally affected.
The engineering features of the plan pro-
DtSeu III the Dill are the result 'OI long ana
careful study on the part of the engineers
of the District They were tentatively
agreed upon by the Commissioners only
after an exhaustive consideration of the
subject, viewed in all rof Its aspects and the
plans We're selected because, in the opinion
of the -Cemrnis sioners and the engineers
they We're the best for tire purpose which
could be designed. q & ( ,....
The plans were not exactly what the COM
pany wanted. The company has accepted
number of changes which were not de-
Sired by 1t. However: as before stated, the
plans were tentatively agreed upon by the
company and former board of Commits
sioners, and the company proceeded imme-
diately to acquire the land necessary to
carry them out. and 1t is believed that the
company is entitled TO some consideration
in the matter
AS 70 the property interests locally af-
fected, 1t may be stated broad propo-
sition that no locality can be found which
Is entirely free from objection. No matter
what site or plan is proposed something
can and will be urged against it. The
Citizens Association opposes the first plan
because Il would approach near to the
homes and property of its members. while
the plan proposed by the association in
lieu thereof would be most bitterly fought
because it would enter upon a cemetery
and disturb the bodies of the dead. And
the hostile sentiment aroused in the latter
case would be far more bitter and strong
than the material objections urged in the
former. All things considered. 1t Is be-
meet with a more formidable opposition
than the first.
1t Is believed that Congress can readily
decide on which side Of the controversy the
public interests are greater.
Temporary Tracks.
The bill authorizes the use of temporary
tracks during the construction of the works
authorized. This authority is very neces-
sary. but owing to the change Of route it
with the exception of few squares, the
existing tracks can be used until the new
cnes are ready for occupation. thus reduc-
ing to a minimum the inconvenience to the
public ordinarily incident to work of this
ma gnitude.
Authority to Acquire Land. Etc.
The bill proposes to authorize the COM
pany to establish such additional freight
and passenger stations as it may find neces-
sary at such points as may be approved by
the Commissioners, and also; to acquire any
desired land adjacent to the streets along
which the railroad or works of the COM
pany Situated.
1t is deemed advisable to limit this
thority to lands within the city limits west
of I'd street east and east Of North Capitol
street
Sidings Into Adjacent Property.
The company is authorized by the bill to
sun sidings into property adjacent to its
line of road when desired by the owner of
the same, the work to be done in accord
ance with the plans approved by the Com
missoners. and no grade crossings to be
created thereby This is believed to be q
wise provision, as. 1t win tend to develop
the adjacent land ipto; business property
and to enhance its Taluess
| Division Of Costs.
The estimated cost Of tie works contem-
plated in the bill is S5q1l01O.
1t is proposed that the United States and
the District Of Columbia shall pay in equal
proportion the cost 81 approaches to rail-
road crossings. which Is estimated to be
$4,000: the United States and the District
on account of the ,betterments contem-
plated the sum of 100000; making the
total cost te the public. s1,5l5OOO. From
this should be deducted the value OF the
abandoned right Of way of the company.
outside Of street limits, between Winthrop
Heights and Delaware avenue, which land
Is to be decided to the District in fee simple.
being III acres, valued at 5000 per acre,
$50. 800; 1.6 acres. valued at $Sl25 per acre,
465. 100.
With reference to the proposition Of the
government paying a million and q half dol
lars toward the project in question:. the
company states that this amount is half the
estimated cost of SO much OF the plan as re-
idteS ulTectiy 10 inc dDOilbLlHS VI STdue
crossings; that Is. the change Of route and
elevation Of tracks; and they request the
government to pay this proportion of the
proposed work. To this very necessary
work they state that they are adding 81
100000 more in betterments. which will all
be to the benefit Of the public and from the
estimates submitted to them the Commits
sioners have reason to believe that the
amounts have not been overstated.
| Objection has been raised by a few par
ties in the District to this payment, on the
| minal facilities. which 1t must obtain for
the transaction of it's business. But the
company states. and the Commissioners
sufficient ground to give 1t all the terminal
3a1i11if1 81 l1Eo11n need for 111tY, Ysayl 50,