The Washington times., 1901-12-15
FLORIDA AVENUE
CHINESE WALL
City Has Few Outlets to
the North.
NEED OF EXTENSION OF 18th STREET
Capital Traction Limo to Be Ez-
tened as Soon as Street is
Graie5-Becant Rsa ty Trane-
actions and Building Operations.

The bill for the extension OF Fourteenth
Street TO Brightwood. introduced by SEN
ator Mcmillan during the past week,
again revives the big street extension
problem Of the District in half dozen Of
its most interesting phases. and it has
been a chief subject OF discussion among
the real estate men. As 10 the desirability
of outlets for the city in the north there
does not seem to be any difference of
opinion. II is said that there is no other
large city in the country with so few ar
teries TO the outside world rs Washing
ton. Along the entire northern boundary
Florida Avenue for years offered an al
most impossible barrier. like Chinese
wall During the past few years a
number of openings have been cut in the
wall. but it still stretches over long sec
tions and forms a no-thoroughfare at the
end OF many city streets.
Between Seventh Street and Fourteenth
Street there is Sherman Avenue. not in
first-class condition by any means. and
Thirteenth Street has been extended only
short way. A little farther out there is
no street between Seventh Street extend
ed, or Brightwood Avenue, and Piney
Branch Road, and nothing between that
and the Linnean Hill Road. and nothing
between that and Connecticut Avenue ex-
tended. away on the other side OF Rock
Creek Park.
BouIc,ards I'm other Cities.
Outside New York, Chicago. and Bal
timore great bouleva.ds stretch for miles
in every direction almost. The difference
is very arparcrt 10 residents OF other
cities. and has been wondered at by
many who have had the chance to see the
suburbs OF Washington as well as the
concreted streets OF the city proper.
1t is a noticeable TACT tEat all Of the
street extensions that have been made in
the northern suburbs have proven their
value in very short time. Fourteenth
Street extended. for Instance. has a big
apartment house at the point where ii
ENDS and becomes a winding country
road, and Is filled with handsome resi-
dences along its entire length. Thir-
teenth Street extended is built 20 in the
same way quito to its end. IL cannot
be doubted that further extensions of
both these streets would be followed i'm
medlatelY by immense building opera
tions; nor can ii be questioned that the
houses would be needed and would be
filled as soon as they were erected.
The question as to the cost Of securing
the right OF way for Fourteenth Street ex-
tended fortunately is a comparatively in
significant one. In this instance the prop
erty-owners along the right of way have
donated almost the entire necessary land.
They have been owners of large tracts
which would be benefited by the extern
sion for the most part. Perhaps for this
reason the old dispute between the Gov
ernment and the District as to whether
the Government shall pay half the cost of
the extension has not been much under
discussion. The cost will be almost i'm
material.
Origin of Senator McMiiInn's Bill.
Mr.. Blair Lee. who has been working for
the extension Of the street for the past
two years. in the interests Of Brightwood
chiefly, wrote letter with reference to
the bill to Chairman Mcmillan during the
week that has not been printed hereto |
fore. II was in response TO this letter
that Senator Mcmillan introduced the bill. |
Which is practically the enc advocated by /
BrightWood and the northern suburbs gem |
orally
MIR. Lee said in part: All the owners
appear ready 10 donate the rights of way
who can act sui juris, OF who understand
tfat their remaining land viii be bene-
fitted by the donating. The enclosed bill
Is designed TO secure these rights of
way practically without cost to the Dis
trict''
After referring TO the progress made
by him in securing agreements to donate
at the time OF the Introduction OF the
BILL for the same purpose last year Mr.. /
Lee said: Since last year several prop !
erty holders have seen fit to Join in /
these donations; from the present ter
minus Of Fourteenth Street to within a |
short distance southwest of Brightwood, 1
one and seven-tenths miles OF its length. |
from Lydecker Avenue. Is now ready for
dedication with three exceptions"
Cost TO District Almost Nothing,
bir. Lee appends in tabular form a
statement showing that in the first one
and one-third miles of the length OF the
proposed extension 6,O75 feet viii be do
mated and only SIS feet will have to be
condemned. He closes his letter by say
Ing that the situation with regard to
Fourteenth Street extended seems TO Of
fer unusual advantages to the District 4
for securing the extension. His letter I
takes up the question Of the extension of
Thirteenth Street in the same way. though
the land 20 be dedicated does not form so
large a proportion OF the whole as in the
case OF the first street referred to-
Mr.. Lee is o. opinion that the prop
critics on Fourteenth Street extended
which have not agreed to dedicate could
be assessed for benefits, legitimately. TO
such an extent that the cost of the en-
tire right OF way would be practically
nothing.
Capital Traction 10 BE Extended.
The Capital Traction Company proposes
to extend its Fourteenth Street line i'm
mediately on the opening of the street.
Its charter permits this extension to the
District boundary without further act of
Congress, and President Dunlop stated a !
day or two ago that the company would |
be glad to proceed with the work as soon
as the street has been graded. This VIII
probably be matter OF news to the resi-
cents OF the Northern suburbs generally. ,
The street VIII reach BriEhtwcod only !
2 quarter of a mile west OF Brightwood ,
Avenue. Two lines Of rapid transit will /
ihus be provided that will very fairly an
swor the needs Of the section.
Opinions of Those Interested.
Mr.. Louis p. Shoemaker. who has been
'ne Of the most earnest advocates of the c
improvements Of the suburbs, said Of this {
proposed street extension yesterday:
There is already much enquiry for prop
'rty in the section, and / know person. h
lily OF many building plans that are only c
waiting the extension. The Improvement r
s not only a desirable one the section {
$ suffering for it." {