The Washington times., 1902-04-20
Commissioners Answer
Objections Made by
Citizens.
PR0BAR.c COST AND DAMAGES
Proposed Arrangement Considered to Be
for the Best interests of the District
Provision for Street Cars to Come to
Station Is Urged.

The first report of the District Commits
sioners on the union railway station bill.
sent to the Senate District Committee two
weeks ago, has been given out by the
committee.
The report describes in detail the pro-
visions OF the bill. notes the objections
| that have been raised to some OF its
provisions by citizens in various sections
and finally commends the measure highly
Cause of Delay in Publication.
The delay Of the committee in publish
ing the document was not explained. bu,
1t Is understood that it was thought best
not to publish 1t until the supplemental
report given out on Thursday was re-
ceived.
The fact that it was held by the COM
mittee caused some comment at the Capt.
tol. Members of the House who are said
to be opposed to the bill are understood
to have referred to the statement As
''the suppressed report"
After noting the features Of the measure
in detail. the report says:
The principal objections that have
property owners are regarding the dam
age to property due to change of grade.
This cannet be avoided. but it is thought
that by concentrating the changes at the
station a less permanent amount of dam
age is done. as it is expected that the
rise in value of the property around the
station will in many cases counter
ha lance the da r,o0a Tho da mn ooS of tn,
other streets, where there would be less
advantage due to the location, have been
minimized. The Commissioners have in
troduced an amendment allowing damages
to property owners injured. This pro-
vision would take into consideration in
awarding damages any increase in value
due to location near the new station.
South Washington Interests.
'Some citizens of South Washington
have petitioned that instead of the rail-
road crossing at Ninth Street at existing
grade and at Sixth Street about twenty
feet above existing grade. as required by
existing legislation. that the railroad
tracks should be lowered so as to have
the street at Ninth Street at about exist
ing grade and the railroad at Sixth Street
at about grade, carrying the street over
by a viaduct. The object of this would
be to depress the tracks around the park
at Virginia and Maryland Avenues. and
to carry Seventh Street above the rail-
road instead of below. on account of the
less damage to business and other prop
erty in that vicinity and to better save
the park. It would also be of advantage
in that the view down Maryland Avenue
from the Capitol will be less obstructed.
The citizens claim that the grades au-
thorized by existing legislation were as
sumed so as to allow the railroad to get
readily into the Mall
THE Commissioners do not recommend
the change for the reason that Sixth
Street is through street from Pennsyl-
vania Avenue south to the wharves and
will probably become an important thor
street, not passing through the Mall. The
damage to property in that vicinity is es-
timated, in the report on existing legis-
lation, as not great.
THE citizens who claim TO be affected
most disadvantageously by the proposed
legislation are those living in and around
lexington. This suburb has the railroad
q
vest, over which the streets are not yet
improved, and even when improved will
rave heavy grades. Communication with
he city is only to be had along r Street.
between Second Street and lexington
Place. This short piece of street has
louble car tracks with curves at Ecking-
on Place and Second Street, making it
'ather difficult passing -
Existing legislation provides for the
r,N1 -
present bill closes this street. The wild
ming of lexington Place will help the
natter somewhat, but the exit will still
,e inconvenient. and and T Streets
hould be opened and improved as soon
IS possible. The lexington Citizens AS
ociation has expressed itself as inter-
.sted in the project. and while II states
hat the proposed legislation will damage
property in lexington. it only asks for
he following concessions:
Claims of lexington.
First. That the roundhouse and shops
,e located east of Seventh Street This
s provided for in the plan submitted by
he railroad companies.
Second. That the freight station be
,ept south of @ Street. and falling that,
outh of Quincy Street The former re-
friction does not seem practicable, as the
tation covers most of Q Street east of
lexington Place. The railroad plans do
lot indicate at present any extension
iorth of Quincy Street. but it is ex-
lained that the railroad may wish to ex-
end over the whole space to the south
de of r Street within a short time
THE south side OF R Street. between
bird and Second Streets. is almost en-
irely built up with substantial houses;
he north side of r is as yet unimproyed.
he north side of Quincy Street. on the
art opened. is built up with brick dwell
ings: the south side is unimproved
Owing to the shut-in condition of Eek
ngton it would be desirable unless the
abroad company has absolute need of
his for freight facilities in the near fu-
ure, to require Quincy Street to be kept
pen and continued to lexington Place.
Third. That there should be stone
'all seven or eight feet high built be-
ween lexington and the freight yards
nd tracks as far north as T Street. This
5 simply a question of expense. This
ence would cost Sl2 per foot, or a total
f S2S,000, If the railroad extends its
reight yards TO the south side of R Street
uch fence should undoubtedly be built
or the protection of dwellers on the north
ide of r Street"
Probable Cost and Damages.
Detailed figures as to the cost of the
rading and other improvements to the
district are given. The following state
ient is made regarding cost and probable
The value of most of the unimproved
roperty will probably be enhanced. While
le work is going on around the plaza.