Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-20
DISAPPROVE THE BILL
ADVERSE REPoRT oNs,PRoPosED
RAILWAY EXTENSION.
Commissioners Unable to Favor A. and
P. Road to Soldiers Home
Gait.

In q report forwarded to Congress today
the Commissioners decline to recommend
at the present time the passage of the bill
providing for the extension of the Anacos-
tia and Potomac River railroad from Ly-
decker avenue to the Soldiers Home gate,
which has been urged with such vigor by
the citizens residing in the vicinity of Pet
worth and Brightwood. The Commission
ers in commenting on the bill state that
they ARE very much in sympathy with the
residents Of this section in desiring better
street car facilities The vice president of
the Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany has promised the Commissioners to
increase their facilities by placing add-
tional cars on the Brightwood line, and
also by keeping proper waiting room at
certainly help matters, and may avoid the
great Inconvenience now existing.
I'm view of this and other facts" the
Commissioners say, they do not recon-
mend the extension at this time, but be-
lieve that unless the present situation is
bettered some similar arrangement to that
proposed in the bill should be made to inn
prove the street car facilities of the sec
ton affected"
The extension of the Anacostia railroad
proposed under the bill would run from
the end of the extension of the 18th street
line, now authorized, but not yet con-
avenue, New Hampshire avenue and Rock
Creek Church road to the Soldiers Home
gate. The Commissioners mention that
they have delayed reporting on the bill at
the request of citizens of Petworty and
Brightwood, who would be served by the
proposed extension, and who desired to
present to the Commissioners reasons why
the extension should be made.
Unsatisfactory Conditions.
1.-THE street car facilities of this section of
the District" the Commissioners state, ARE
the most unsatisfactory existing within the
District. The connection with the city is
made by means Of the 9th street line, which
loops around in Brightwood avenue, and
from which a transfer is given to the
Brightwood avenue line of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company Transfers
are also given to the 7th street line of the
Capital Traction Company upon the pay
ment of an extra amount, less than the reg
ular fare.
ut is claimed by the citizens that on ac-
count of the small number of cars run and
the lack of proper waiting facilities they
are often put to great delays and inconven-
fence, and that most of the time they are
unable to procure seats in the cars. There
is no question that the situation is a very
incOnvenient one.
cat present passengers going to the Sol
diers' Home are served by a small shuttle
car which is run back and forth from
BrightwOod avenue. That the extension of
the 18th street line, as indicated, would be
of great advantage to the citizens of this
section of the District there can be no
question, as they would be carried into the
city without change of cars, and the cars
starting from Petworth would enable them
to more readily obtain seats. The manage
ment Of the railroad stated. however, the
natural route of any extension of the 18th
street line would be out 18th street to the
District line. 1t would also seem that If
proper arrangements could be made the
Brightwood avenue line should take care of
traffic east-of that line rather than have
the 18th street line extended further east"