Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-27
Line Of Tunnel.

mally presented to the official notice of the
Commissioners late yesterday evening at
the conference held in Colonel Biddles
Office.
There were present at the conference, in
addition to Colonel Biddle,- Bernard r.
Green superintendent of the Congressional
Library; Robert Farnham, assistant engi-
neer of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany, in charge Of construction work in
connection with the terminal project, and
Mr. Williams, representing the Continental
Jewell Filtration Company, contractors for
constructing the tunnel. The proposed
change in method to the open-cut or cut
and-cover plan of building the tunnel was
discussed in all it's phases by the con-
fereeS.
Company's Proposition.
The railroad company proposed, as was
related in yesterdays Star, to build the en-
tire tunnel from point on 1st street mid
way between and C streets southeast to
C street northeast, by the open-cut plan
This plan would mean in effect that for
several months at least there would be an
open trench, fifty feet wide at the top and
from forty-two to sixty-one feet deep, eX-
tending entirely across the eastern bound
airy of the Capitol grounds and in front of
the Library of Congress, and also along
the west side of 1st street between B and c
streets northeast.
at the conference Col Biddle proposed a
slight modification of the plan. He sug-
gested that that portion of the tunnel be-
tween B and streets northeast be con-
structed by the boring or tunneling method.
He mentioned that the west side of 1st
street between B and c streets is improved
by row Of good residence houses, and, be-
sides that, along the curb OF that street
Is a fine row of elms. In order to save
these trees and prevent damage to the
property Of residents along the west side Of
1st street, and also to cause those residents
as little Inconvenience as possible, Col, Bid
die suggested that the tunnel through that
portion of the street be built by means of
the underground method To this change
the representatives of the railroad company
seemed favorably inclined.
Statement by Col. Biddle.
In an interview with a reporter for The
Star today Col Biddle stated his position
relative to the proposed change from the
underground to the open-cut method.
"The railroad company" he said, having
shown to me that it's proposed new plan is
in accordance with the best engineering
practice, with reference both to the prosecu-
ton Of the work and the final results, am
prepared to recommend to the Commission
erS that the company be allowed to adopt
the open-cut plan in constructing the tun-
pel, with the exception of that portion be-
tween and c streets northeast On the
west side OF that street there is a row OF
good dwelling houses, and a fine row OF
trees. In order to prevent damage and an
noyance TO these residents, and to save the
trees from destruction, 1 proposed that be-
| tween and c streets northeast the tunnel
b. constructed by the underground method
II regret that it seems necessary to adopt
the open-cut method of building the tuneel
The railroad company will be put to a large
additional expense by the change, but they
consider that the change is absolutely nee
essary, and am inclined from the showing
| the company has made to agree with their
position. The change seems advisable both
| from the consideration of expediency and
efficiency in carrying on the work, and also
becauSe Of obtaining better final results
"Will it require additional authority from
Congress in order for the Commissioners to
permit the railroad company to make the
| change in plan?" Col. Biddle was asked
No Additional Authority Required.
'In my opinion no additional authority is
/ necessary" he replied. '"The Commission
| ers have been given authority to approve
all plans in connection with the railroad
| terminal work. and the style or method OF
construction is not specified In the acts.
consider that the Commissioners have au-
| thority to approve any plan consistent with
the best engineering practice"
Col Biddle said. In reply to a question
| that he presumed 1t has generally been
supposed heretofore that the tunnel would
be constructed by the underground method.
Congress. however. he said has authorized
and directed the building Of tunnel, and
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