Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-27
have it built. if possible. in accordance with


the desire for change to indicate at this
time his attitude toward the matter. Late
this afternoon Comni issi0ner West, to-
gether with Col. Biddie. will drive over the
route of the tunnel and examine into the
various features of the proposed change.
Mr.. West desired to look over the groun.l
before making any statement relative to
the proposition of the railroad company.
Effects of the New Plan.
AS stated in yesterdays Star. if the open
cut method Of building the tunnel through
Capitol Hill is adopted 1T will mean the
temporary closing of the west side of 1st
street to traffic along the line of the tunnel
for the trench will be dug from the surface
of the street to depth of from forty-two
to sixtyone feet. 1t is stated that the east
side of 1St street will be kept open for
traffic, however. The open cut would also
extend a few feet into the eastern boundary
of the Capitol grounds, and necessitate the
temporary destruction OF The coping and
parking of the boundary. The tracks of the
Metropolitan branch of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, on 1st
street between East Capitol and streets
north, would have to be carried on trestle
over the open tunnel. "A number of trees
in the Capitol grounds would be destroyed.
1t is also stated that in the event cut
of such depth is made in the street that it
will tal-e frCm four to six years for the
earth filed back in to settle substantially.
after tn, tunrel is constructed the trench
will be filled in and the pavement reiaid.
He said that 1t was not improbable that
after several years the DIRT m the fill might
settle and necessitate the repaving of the
cut. In order to secure the District from
possible loss in this respect, he said. the
Commissioners will require the railroad
company to deposit sum sufficient to
cover the cost of relaying the pavement
within reasonable number of years.
The machinery used in boring TIE tunnel,
it is stated. is very heavy in character and
as the work mas progressed 1t has been
found that the nature of the earth in the
tunnel is not substantial enough to support
the machinery and permit it to operate
properly satisfactorily.
The material encountered by the work.
men. it is stated. is soft and friabe and
great difficulty has been experienced in
supporting the roof and sides of the tun-
mel
Considerable delay has already been oc-
casioned and greater delay is anticipated
in the event the original plan is adhered to.
Disapproval Expressed.
The announcement intThes Star yesterday
afternoon that the Pennsylvania Railroad
Con- pany proposed to construct the Capitol
Hill tunnel by the open trench method, be-
cause of the difficulty encountered in carry
ing on the work by the tunneling plan, oc-
ca asioned consider able surprise among Off
CldiS at the DlStflct DullalnS ana among
citizens of Washington generally. Many of
the residents of Northeast and Southeast
Washington and on Capitol Hill in the vi
cinity of the proposed tunnel expressed dis
approval of the proposition. forsthe reason
that a large open trench Is not considered
either a desirable or attractive feature in
their locality. The impression seems to
have prevailed generally among citizens of
Washington that the tunnel would be con-
structed through Capitol Hill underground
and entirely removed from sight The pos
sibility of its being built by the open-cut
method therefore, occasions considerable
surprise, 1t is stated.
1t is pointed OUT that there was never
any intimation du:sar the hearfzgs on the
union station legislation that the Capitol
Hill tunnel would be constructed by the
Open-cut system On the CONTRARY, the opfn-
ion is advanced that Congress did not con-
template such a possibility. During the
hearing before the Senate District commit
tee when the tunnel project was. under dis
cuSsion the method of constructing 1t Is
incidentally referred to by several par
ties.
Mr.. Green's Views Quoted.
Superintendent Green of the Congress
sional Library during the hearing before
the Senate committee in March. 1902, said
my view is that putting this two-track
tunnel through the hill at the proposed
depth, which 1 understand is about fifty
feet to the bottom of the tunnel below
the surface Of the ground, and running
trains through it, would not endanger the
Library building or its approaches at all
and especially If in boring the tunnel or
In building it. the proper precautions were
taken for guarding against the settlement
of the earth overhead as the work pro-
crosses, which precautions are entirely
within the power and resources of the en-
glneers and contractors to exercise"
From a report of the Commissioners on
the union station bill. submitted to Con-
is taken:
This tunnel (under Capitol Hill) pre.
sents no difficulties It is not known lust
what the material is through which it will
mixed with sand as the indications from
sewers and old wells are of that nature
Whether 1t is earth or rock, there should
De no difficulty in driving, and protecting
the tunnel"
Question of Authority Raised.
question has also been raised as to the
authority of the Commissioners to permit
the railroad company TO build the tunnel by
the open-trench method. AS previously
stated, Colonel Biddle is Of the opinion
that the Commissioners have suficien,
authority, under section Z Of the union
station act, which is as follows
That before any portion of the work o.
construction within the District of Cohlm
bia herein described shall be begun, plan.
thereof in accordance with the provisions O,
this act shall be prepared by the company
undertaking such work, and shall be sub
m1tted for approval to the Commissioner.
| of the District Of Columbia: also in so fal
as public parks and reservations may be at
fected. for approval also Of the Secretary
/ OF War; and also In so far as underground
| construction Is involved, for approval alst
| of the superintendent OF the Library O
| Congress. Duly authenficated copies O
| said plans shall, after approval. be f1let
| with the Commissioners of the District O.
| Columbia, and all work shall beadone in ac
cordance Herewith. The company under
| taking such work shall deposit with the co,
| fector of taxes such sums OF money as tn.
| Commissioners of the District may reason
| ably require to cover the cost OF Distric
| inspection"
1t is pointed out by the District official.
| that with reference to thu encroachment O
the lines of the tunnel Snpon fhe Capito
| grounds or their interference with the Ii
brary building. those n1xtters are left t.
| Mr.. Elliott Woods, superintendent of Capi
| tol buildings and grourfilss and Mr. Ber
! rard r. Green. superintendent -pf the Con
| gressional Library. The Com fis9Fs.oners ex
ercise authority In this case J1sfv over the
| streets affected. These two afic!als will
| have to consent to thes propoEed change
| in plans before the chanse can lbH adopted
| even ~ Commit Scjo,,xavc do rive fhe;,