Evening star., 1901-06-13
Railroad Terminal Plans.

Ine commissioners approval of the ter
mlnaI plans of the Pennsylvania railroad
advances that important project one stage
ana opens the way to the actual starting
OF the work. Conditions have arisen since
the enactment of the legislation, however,
which permit question as to the precise
character OF the construction to result
from the railroads enterprise, even though
the plans yesterday approved follow the
lines laid down by the statute. The prac-
tical consolidation of the interests of the
PENNSYLVANIA and the Baltimore and Ohio
during the past few months renders it pos
sible for the terminal systems to be united.
and the people of Washington are inter-
ested to know whether yesterdays action
IN any positive manner reflects the purposes
OF the dominant interest 1t is not too late
for steps to be taken toward the construc-
tion of a union terminal, such as every
consideration of business economy and cap
ital improvement suggests. The plans of
the Baltimore and Ohio are not yet filed
for approval, but even when formally
passed by the Commissioners they might
be amended If the owners of the roads de-
eide to adopt the policy so strongly urged
by the citizens of Washington. Nor, with
the Pennsylvania road advancing toward
actual construction, would it be beyond
possibility next winter to proceed to secure
the necessary additional legislation and
then to extend the terminal trackage and
station facilities to accommodate the other
line So that there is no reason for a
cessation of the efforts to persuade the
dominant corporation to combine the ter
minals
But even more to the point is the ques-
ton of the effect of this action upon the
future of the Mall, AS suggested recently
in connection with the park commissions s
plans for the Improvement of that reserva-
tion a hope is even yet entertained that
the Pennsylvania railroad may be per-
suaded to vacate the park and to erect it's
station building south of the Mall. What
ever is accomplished in this direction will
doubtless be done within a few months
and public interest will center henceforth
in the program of the railroad in executing
the plans yesterday approved. If the COM
pany is determined beyond the possibility
of reconsideration to hold to the site pre-
scribed by the law it may prefer to start
its terminal work at the station end in
order to clinch it's position. If, however,
it is willing to listen to further arguments
on this point in view of the elaborate de-
signs for park improvement which the COM
mission contemplates for execution on the
basis of station removal. it may elect to
begin its construction work the track
end, and to leave the station question open
for possible amendment.
Upon both points the decision virtually
rests solely with the Pennsylvania railroad.
1t has demonstrated its power TO secure the
legislation it desires, and it may be as
sumed to possess equal power to pre-
vent legislation inimical to it's selfish in
terests, whether aimed toward securing
union station or toward station removal.
The reasons for both projects may yet pre-
yail with the directors OF the company.
Every public-spirited Washngtonian as
suredly hopes that they will