Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
The Two Station Sites.

captain Newcomers report to the District
committee of the House upon the relative
merits and features of the two proposed
sites for the union station. published to-
Gay, states the case in a clear and scien-
tine manner, most satisfactory to the citi-
ZenS of the District and presumably in
structive to the members of the commit
Tee. He shows that the Massachusetts
avenue site will permit of two main ad-
Nantages. the clearing of Massachusetts,
avenue of a railroad wall and tunnel, and
the provision of great plaza approach
he shows, however, that Massachusetts
avenue can never be given an absolutely
uninterrupted vista. owing to changes in
direction and grade which may be regarded
as permanent; also that there will be op-
portunity at c street for a plaza approa ch
TO the station through the purchase of the
two squares connecting the station site
with the Capitol grounds
On the other hand, Captain Newcomer
finds many advantages in the c street site
chief among which is the saving of at least
s1OOo.o0o in the cost of filling and grading.
He points out that there is at c street a
natural opportunity for receiving the ter
mtnal of a viaduc., whereas at Massachu-
sets avenue such terminal must be arti-
flcially provided, at enormous expense. In
cidentally the c street site he indicates is
nearer the city's chief thoroughfare and
already touched by branches of the prin-
cipal car lines, whereas at Massachusetts
avenue such branches would need to be
provided over considerable distances The
c street site will involve a minimum of
disturbance in the street levels.
The net showing of the acting engineer
commissioner report is undeniably favor
able to the c street site But he points out
wisely that in such matter generations
must be considered and not the tastes
and preferences and prejudices of the peo-
pie of the immediate present. Considera-
tons even greater than the expenditure of
one or two million dollars are involved.
This reflection is designed to signify that
whereas the Massachusetts avenue site will
cost much more than the other it may
possess esthetiC and practical advantage
which outweigh the financial handicap. 1t
is for Congress to decide which way the
scale shall tip. 1t knows the situation thor
oughly, understands the demand of the peo-
pie for union station, appreciates the ne
cessity for broad principles in the develop
ment of the capital. and should by this
time realize that the District is always
Willie " SletlIi IT'S just snare Ol any HtCeS-
sary expense properly attributable to it in
the making of a great federal city, but
that it is not willing to bear enormous
burdens which should be either borne ex-
clusively by the government or shared in
larger degree by the railroads.
The District will be greatly pleased if it
may be relieved of the necessity of paying
out half or three-quarters of a million
dollars for preparing the union station site
for the railroads and at the same time as
sured of union station commensurate in
every way with the dignity of the city, the
Importance of this terminal and the pros
poets of a future park development of the
District