Evening star., 1900-12-11

4-Hlch granite curbiHg S.1eO
linear feet, at $1.......... $4,000
linear feet. at 81 o 1,27o0o
Iron railing. walls. $3.50
linear feet, at $l50 9,S25.OO
-.s. ---1 1854. 90. 90
s3122 255 90
These figures of cost are in several items
obviously eXaggerated; and there is no
earthly reason why the public should be
required to contribute to purchase the
railroads new right of way for the Mon
tello cutoff. or for the erection of its new
round house. shops, water tank and turn
table, or for making the lexington yard.
The railroad might well charge up
against the public one-half the cost of it's
new passenger station. The million and a
quarter alleged to be spent for these pur-
poses adds to the plant and terminal racili-
ties of the railroad and Is not part of
the direct eXpense'of grade-crossings elimi-
nation. Is o"
Estimates Too High.
The most casual scrutiny Of these figures.
the authority for which does not appear on
record, suggests that the cost has been
literally. even extravagantly, stated Sew
eral Of the items attributed to the eleva-
ton and change of fline--constituting q sug-
gestion that they are applicable to the
publics share of the burden-are plainly
rounded not only to meet possible emer-
gencies, but to, present formidable total.
For instance the cost of the right Of way
and property for the cutoff from Montello
to Florida avenue, the substitute for the
city end of the present Washington branch,
a total of ninety-four acres, is placed at
$500 900 This is at the rate. approximately,
o. $3.50 an acre. The assessed value Of the
land of Kendall Green, the Deaf Mute In
st:tute. l1o acres in all, Is only, $SS. 1886,
$500 an acre. The assessed value however,
is too low. when the purchase price of
land is to be considered. The average al
lcWance is from 80 to 40 per cent in addi-
ton to the assessment. Making an addi-
n fhn ,r1ro ,.,;,
the Kendall Green land might be stated at
s1,12O an acre. If the lands for the cutoff
for the Baltimore and Ohio were to be pur-
chased for this price-which might be even
lower owing to the fact that the lands in
view are not improved and lie farther away
from the city than Kendall Green-they
would cost only slO5, $50. a shrinkage from
cuation is unfair to the railroad COM
pany, then the calculation already given, in
connection with the balance between the
public and the road in the matter Of the
spaces relinquished and given, is decidedly
unfair to the public.
total Of S227, 600 Is charged to the ac-
count attributable to the elevation of
ment Of the lexington yard. The figures
given are palpably round " The item Of
filling Is to be questioned especially, in view
of the fact that the bill as amended by the
Senate provides that the railroad establish
ment beyond the city limits shall not be
nearer to lexington than two blocks east
Of the easterly end Of the ''Y." This throws
the freight yard, round house and machine
shops upon land which now Hes generally
at grade. instead Of on a space which would
require an enormous amount of filling in
order to make 1t available. There will be
practically no filing and little. II any, ex-
or near IVY CITY. as contemplated by the
amended bill. This will eliminate most If
not all, of the item of $94,5OO.
The New Yards.
But 1t may be asked whether any part of
the cost Of establishing yard and other
equipments at or near lexington should be
in justice attributed to the project Of elimi-
mating the grade crossings The present
railroad establishment Of the B. and o. Is
located on the Washington branch line.
north of Trinidad, we'll beyond the city
limits. The railroad company in this bill
offers to abandon the Washington branch
line south of Montello and to move the
yard and round house from Trinidad to Eek
ington in consequence This move is plain
Iy in the interest Of swelling its credit and
the publics debit In the total account and
of economy IN railroad management The
reinquishme1it of the right of way on the
abandoned Washington branch line does
not, as has already been pointed out in
The Star. rebound to the practical or SEN
timental or financial benefit of the city.
The only result is to give to the city strip
of land which. to become useful. would
need to be supplemented by heavy pur-
chases under circumstances leading to a
marked increase in the price of the ground.
The proposed avenue does not lie in har-
mony with The cIfy's street plan and the
right of way is too narrow for use as it
stands. The. change Of location of the
round house and other equipments Is main
ly for the railroads own benefit; and it
should be entitled to receive what it can
get for the old plant abandoned at Trini-
dad, and be required to pay for its new
equipment at Eckangton
metropolitan branch and Vfaduct.
In the item of right Of way for the Metro
politan branch connection, 132.OOO square
feet at 25 cents. much the same correction
is required as in the case of the cut-ofr
from Montello. The lands lying along the
railroads right of way in this direction are
not marketable now at any price. having
been deprecated by the railroads DELAYS
and the uncertainties as to route No other
purchaser than the Baltimore and Ohio is
possible, and 1t Is fair to believe that az
cents is an extravagant figure. even though
the lands lying west of the proposed line
command today a price Of more than double
that amount.
Under the head terminals south side of
G street to G street." occurs the item .'hll-
ing 1,tOO 600 cubic yards at So cents, S526.-
co.," In other words, the railroad company
seeks to attribute to the cost of elevation
and change Of line, the price which It pro-
poses to pay for making solid the viaduct
upon which Its tracks are to be laid, Thus
would b destroyed the storage space which