Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-09
NEW CRoSS-TOWN ROAD
BILL INTRODUCED BY REPREsEN-
rAuvE BANKHEAD.
Practically the Same Route as Wanted
by Great Falls Company-oppo-
sition to Both.

sition to Both.
been presented to Congress in the shape OF
a bill introduced In tho House by Repre-
sentative Bankhead Of Alabama, to amend
an act of Congress, entitled an act to au-
thorize the Washington and Marlboro Elec-
trio Railway Company Of Maryland to ex-
tend its line Of road into and within the Dis
trict Of Columbia This bill proposes route
almost similar to that wanted by the pro-
posed Old Dominion and Great Falls road.
The latter proposes to run eastwardly from
seth street, in Georgetown, across town on
M street.
The new road proposes to run from North
east Washington westwardly across town
on NJ street to 38th street.
The new project is backed by A. E. RAN
die Of Congress Heights. while the Old Do
minion Company Is backed by John r. Nc
Lean.
The introduction Of the new bin means
the beginning Of a lively controversy un-
doubtedly
The provisions of the bill introduced by
Mr. Bankhead are as follows:
THAT the act of Congress entitled AN
boro Electric Railway Company OF Mary
land to extend it's line of road into and
within the District Of Columbia, approved
March 2, 1895, be and the same Is hereby
amended so as to authorize and permit
the said company to lay down its tracks,
operate its cars and continue its route
northwardly on east 18th street from East
Capitol street to Maryland avenue; thence
north F street; thence west on + street to
east I'd street; thence south on I'd street
to north e street; thence west on r street
to Massachusetts avenue; thence north
westwardly along Massachusetts, avenue to
New Jersey avenue at its intersection with
LIST street northwest thence northwestward-
ly along New Jersey avenue to north Al
street; thence west along said M street 70
both sides thereof to said M street; thence
west along said M street to seth street,
with such construction as may be neces-
sary to connect with the tracks OF the
streets northwest Also beginning at the
Intersection of north street ana east
10th street; thence south along 10th street
to south NJ street; thence west on Nd street
9th street to Georgia avenue: and thence
northeasterly on Georgia avenue to east
10th street.
"That the name of the Washington and
Marlboro Electric Railway Company OF
Maryland be, and the same Ii hereby,
changed to Capital City Railway.
THAT the time for the completion Of the
foregoing work Is limited to two years from
the passage of this act"
Representative Allen has introduced ban
providing that the time within which the
East Washington Heights Traction Rail-
road Company 10 required to complete and
put In operation its railway be extended
for the term Of twelve months from the
passage OF the act
Both measures have been referred to the
committee on the District Of Columbia.
Opposition to Both.
In the meantime the opposition to either
plan for the occupation of M street north
west Is becoming strenuous.
Special objection is made by residents
near Thomas Circle, and near the junction
Of Connecticut avenue and M street.
The petition with reference to these two
localities Is as follows:
The undersigned property holders and
residents upon M street between 10Th street
and Thomas Circle, as well as upon Thomas
Circle, do hereby protest against permitting
a street railroad line to be built along
through this portion of M street out into
Thomas Circle. We are willing to take our
chances with other street residents as to
the location Of a cross-town railroad We
have the same objection as residents have
on other streets.
Our chief reason for protesting Is that in
our opinion such a railroad coming into
Of that locality. At present 1t Is dangerous
to foot passengers. at certain hours of the
day. to cross as they do from the Portland
to the corner of M street and Massachu-
sets avenue on the west side of Thomas
Circle. NJ street L. a thoroughfare for wag-
ons and other vehicles from GEORGETOWN
Many vehicles are constantly passing on
the north and west sides Of Thomas Circle,
to say nothing Of the large number of car
riages. bicycles and automobiles going into
Massachusetts, avenue. The presence of
the Capital Traction cars on either side Of
Thomas Circle adds to the danger now ex-
listing.
In our opinion to permit line Of cars to
come In from M street and pass across
through Thomas Circle would be to In
tensify what 10 already threatening dan
ger.
The growth of the city is making this
open space more and more essential to COM
fort and safety. 1t would be a very grave
mistake to add to the complica tons of the
situation; and we think that the urgency
of a cross-town railroad does not demand
that this particular locality should thus be
imperiled.
We also call attention to the fact that
this is an important part of the fire rum
from New Hampshire avenue and M street
east.
Petitioners living near Connecticut ave-
nue. and M street adopt the language an
above. and say that the danger at that
pOint Is even eraafpr than at Thnrnou Cir-