Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03
FOR TRACK EXTENSION
COMMISSIONERS FORWARD THEIR
RECOMMENDATION TO CONGRESS.
Alleged Advantages and Disadvant-
ages of Routes Shown-Suggestion
of an Amendment.

The Commissioners today forwarded to
Congress favorable report on the bill
authorizing the City and Suburban Railway
Company and the Washington Railway
and Electric Company to extend their
tracks to the new union railway station
The report is similar to that forwarded to
Congress yesterday on the bill extending
to the station site the lines of the Capital
Traction Company.
In their report on the proposed legisla-
ton the Commissioners state:
THE system of extension as proposed is
in general, satisfactory to the Commission
ers. They would however, recommend that
the location of the tracks within the limits
of the plaza in front of the new union sta
ton be not determined at present, but be
left to the approval of the Commissioners.
The general arrangement of the plaza has
not yet been fully determined upon and the
arrangement of the tracks should be such
as would best suit the general convenience.
THE extension of the Anacostia and Po-
tomac River railroad to the new union sta
ton Is proposed along 1st street southeast
This extension would pass in front of the
Congressional Library and of the proposed
new office building of the House of Repre-
sentatives. with the advantages or disad-
vantageS of street cars in front of these
buildings. Another proposed route would
be up 4th street southeast to East Capitol
to connect with the present Metropolitan
railroad on that street and thence west on
of line Is the same in each case.
Advantages and Disadvantages.
"The advantage of this latter connection
is that 1t avoids going down hill from 4th
street southeast to street on the present
track of the Anacostia and Potomac River
railroad and then climbing up the hill again
at 1St street to connect with the Metropol-
itan tracks at 1st and East Capitol streets.
t has the disadvantage. however, that 4th
CIV g ma
the same time cars are now operated on
4th street southeast between and G
streets without apparent detriment to the
street. The people who live along 1st
street southeast, part of which is improved
with substantial buildings. have written to
the Commissioners objecting to the loca-
ton of the car line on that street. The
same objection would apply to 4th street
where there are more houses. Either loca-
ton would be satisfactory to the Commits
sioners. but the first extension would seem
preferable.
Portions of Lines to Be Abandoned.
1.-THE vice president of both these lines
has stated to the Commissioners that GER
tain parts of existing lines of his company
will be abandoned in case the extensions
are made. and the Commissioners have in
serted in the amended bill which they in
close. section providing for the abandon
ment of such portions. There Is an exist
ing law authorizing the Commissioners to
require abandoned street railway tracks to
be removed on certain conditions, as to
failure of operation. and after notice to the
companies owning them, but the Com
missionerS believe it best. as il Is known
that these parts are to be abandoned, to
provide for their abandonment and re-
moval in the bill"
Suggest Time Limit of Six Months.
The Commissioners suggest an amend
h; .fv;p hot fha
sion be completed within six months after
the granting of the permit for the work.
A copy of the bill proposed by the Business
Mems Association and several citizens as
sociations. regulating the operation of
street cars. the substance of which was
printed in yesterdays Star, is forwarded
with the report on the extension bill.