Evening star., 1900-04-10

desires of Congress and of the people of
the District. On the contrary, the highest
officers of the Pennsylvania railroad have
recognized fully the Importance and desira-
bility of placing their Washington termi-
nails in a condition not only to meet the
fast-growing business, but also to make
them worthy of the capital city OF the
United States. The one great thing that
stood in the way of an adjustment was the
engineering problem. The railroad regarded
as a physical impoSSibility overhead
structure and the elevation of its tracks,
while the District authorities opposed sink
ing the tracks, or at least We're not able to
work out the change in way satisfactory
to the engineers of the railroad.
Combination Plan.
after repeated failures to handle the
engineering features of the plans in such
way to commend them for presenta-
ton to Congress, Captain William NJ Back,
while Engineer Commissioner of the Dis
trict, devised a plan of combining the de-
pressed and overhead systems. according
to the topography of the region through
which the lines passed. This solution i'm
mediately commended itself to both the
people and the railroad; and there is now
no difference of opinion as to the proposed
method of eliminating grade-crossings
along this line. Called to the with
Spain, Captain now major Black left his
plans to be completed by his successor in
the Engineer COmmissonership, Captain
Lansing H. Beach. on whom has devolved
the arduous and exacting duty of making
those adjustments with the railroad
gineers, by means Of which the bill has
been brought to point near perfection
as can reasonably be expected in meas
ure containing so many details and. there
fore. such wide range for difference of
opinion on minor points. The committee
have no hesitation in saying that in so far
as the elimination of grade crossings is
concerned no better plan will ever be pro-
posed
not a{
engineering nature that have demanded
care and attention, and in all such matters
the civilian members of the board of Com
miSsionerS, Mr.. John 3. Wight and Mr..
John W. Ross. have labored earnestly and
successfully to make such adjustments as
were needed to protect the interests Of the
United States and Of the District. The Off
GERS in charge OF public buildings and
grounds, Colonel Theodore A. Bingham,
and the officer in charge of the Potomac
Park improvements. Lieutenant Colonel
of Brigadier General John NJ. Wilson,
whose knowledge Of and interest in the
District Of Columbia has been life long,
have also submitted for the guidance Of the
committee valuable reports to the use
and occupation of the lands committed to
their charge. While IN some instances the
committee has been unable to agree with
these officials in the main their recom-
mendations have been followed; and in all
cases their views have had careful con-
Sidera ton.
Garfield Park.
after much discussion Of tn. proposition
to straighten the lines Of the railroad by
allowing the occupation Of a small portion
of Garfield Park, the committee is Of the
opinion that such occupation is imperative
in order to prevent the continued loss of life
at tine so-callsd Dead Mems Curve, at the
western end Of the tunnel under K street
southwest. The improvements contem-
plated will protect the lives Of persons
using the park, while the additions to the
plation will allow the proposed dimnution
of Garfield Park to be made without any
real curtaling of the parks IN a section that
must of necessity be given over largely to
business purposes. While such use has met
with objection from considerable number
of the people living in proximity of that
park. 1t has also been favored by property
owners thereabouts, and the committee Is
convinced that the proposed change will
greatly improve the property conditions in
that neighborhOOd. Such also is the view
of the District Commissioners who have
given the matter careful consideration
The Mall.
The continued and enlarged occupation
of the Mall is also subject which has re-
! ceived much attention. AS the District
Commissioners point out the location of
the railroad within the Mali was made by
the board of aldermen and the common
| council Of the city of Washington on March
%, 1871, which location was confirmed by
| act of Congress approved May 81, 1872
| The city has ADJUSTED itself to these condi-