Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-14
B. AND O. CROSSINGS
Bill for Their Abolition Reported to
the Senate.
COMMISSIONERS VIEWS SUPPORTED
Character of the Changes Fully
Described.
DAMAGES AND COSTS
COMMISSIONERS VIEWS SUPPORTED
DAMAG Es AND COSTS

Mr. Mcmillan. from the committee on the
District of Columbia, today reported favor
ably to the Senate the bill to abolish grade
crossings on the lines of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad in the District The bill as
reported contains all the amendments rec
commended by the District Commissioners.
together with an additional amendment
providing for the building of double track
from a point on the main line OF the road
near Langdon to point near Deanewood.
where 1t will connect with the existing
tracks of that company which run to Shep-
ards wharf These tracks are for the ac-
commodation Of southern freight.
The bill and Commissioners proposed
amendments have already been published
in The Star.
The report Of the Senate committee, after
speaking of the delays incident to the
preparation of the plan and of the general
public approval Of the project. says:
Character of the Charges.
'In brief. the proposed changes are as
follows: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company is to remove Its present station
and build commodious depot across Della
ware avenue, 200 feet north OF c street
north. This will open North Capitol street
to travel. and thus put Into complete use
one of the great thoroughfares OF the CITY.
For its station and grounds the company
will occupy the squares east and west OF
Delaware avenue and north OF Z street.
thus obtaining sufficient space for the
transaction Of its business with the public.
Additionally the station building is to
be structure fit to occupy a prominent po-
sition within plain sight OF the Capitol.
From the station the road will run
northeasterly on Delaware avenue to Flor
ida avenue. the tracks being carried on an
elevated masonry structure, underneath
which the main thoroughfareS are to be
Oy,,ty Orth nf O.
nue. the road will be carried on an embank-
ment. The line of road that now DIVORCES
at G street will be abandoned. thus doing
away with eleven grade crossings and leaV-
ing these streets entirely free from railroad
tracks,
1.-THE great property of the United States
now occupied by the Columbia Institution
for the Deaf and Dumb. instead of being
hemmed in between two lines of railroads
crossing streets at grade, will be relieved
altogether of one set OF tracks, and from
the west the approach will be underneath
slightly structure. Moreover. the occupa-
ton of Delaware avenue will be only TO
such an extent as will leave an ample
driveway on each side Of the elevated
tracks.
The Question of Damages.
$50 Systematically has the plan been
worked out that no land damages are an
ticipated. There are, however, certain ex-
penses that must be shared between the
District and the railroad if these desirable
changes are to be brought about. In max
ing these adjustments the District Com
missioners have followed what is now the
well-settled policy in such cases-a division
of those expenses directly consequent on
abolishing grade crossings.
Division of Costs.
1.-The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
peny, under an existing agreement be-
tween said company and the municipal
authorities authorized by Congress, has the
right to maintain its present tracks within
the District of Columbia until 1910. subject,
of course. to the governments right to ex-
ercise the power of eminent domain with
regard thereto.
ITO elevate these tracks within the city
and to confine the same to one line in
stead of two lines now existing. 1t Is nee
essary to change both OF the existing nnes
materially in a part Of the District lying
outside of the city limits. and to unite
them beyond the boundary of the city to
bring them down Delaware avenue. as pro-
posed.
This necessitates the abandonment for
more than a mile and half of the right Of
way on the Washington branch and Oh
some right of way on the Metropolitan
branch, and the purchase or new right OF
way from Montello to lexington. the aban-
donment of roundhouse, turntable. water
tank, shops. buildings and trestles at Trim
idad on the Washington branch, and the
construction OF the Same DIT OF uedi ISh-
ington, as proposed; 1t requires the con-
struction of a new "Y' device for the
Joining of two lines outside of the District.
'"These costs are part Of the costs made
necessary by the elevation. and their esti-
mated sum was placed, for the purpose of
agreement between the company and the
District Commissioners, at a low figure.
Under the general rule established In other
localities. and recognized by this commit
tee. one-half of these costs should be borne
by the public benefited.
Moreover, it must be borne in mind that
the company voluntarily relinquishes Its
right under the contract referred to, which
would give 1t ten years more of existence
under present conditions. and that it trans
fers to the public. without cost. the right
of way abandoned on the Washington
branch. Also. the company. in bringing its
line from Montello to lexington, adopted
the line suggested by the Commissioners
(even though less expensive one might
have been adopted. in order to enable the
future streets of Washington. when extend
ed into the part of the District traversed by
the proposed line. to be extended without
crossings at grade.
1.-The land purchased for the uses of the
yards, round houses, etc. at lexington or
purchased for the location Of terminals in
the city, are not included in the COSTS"