Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-28
FAVOR CHANGE IN PLAN
Open-Cut Method Of Con-
structiDg Tunnel.
FIRST STREET ROUTE
Two COMMISSIONERS EXPRESS
APPROVAL OF SUGGESTION.
Pennsylvania Railway Company's Al
teration in Method of Building
Subway for Tracks.

The attitude of Commissioners West and
Bidde is favorable to the proposition Of the
Pennsylvania Railway Company that the
Capitol Hill tunnel be constructed by the
open-cut method along 1st street from B
street southeast to street northeast. Col
Biddle stated yesterday that he is prepared
to recommend that the Commissioners ap-
prove the proposed change In the plan Of
Constructing the tunnel. and Commissioner
West indicated today that he is likewise in
clined to favor the proposition If 1t Is in &C
cord with the best engineering practice.
With two of the three District Commits
sioners favoring the change in plan, 1t re-
mains for Elliott Woods, superintendent of
Capitol buildings and grounds, and Bernard
r. Green, superintendent of the Congress
sional Library. to decide whether or not
the railroad company will be permitted to
adopt the open-cut style of construction.
SO far as Superintendent Green is concerned
his consent to the proposition is antici-
pated inaSmuch as he has stated that the
change in plan will not cause any injury to
the Library building. Mr.. Woods seems in
cHned TO defer his decision until he has
conferred with higher authority He an
pears to doubt his right to consent to the
engineers making a large cut through the
eastern boundary of the Capitol grounds
sioners are awaiting decision from the
ether interested officials, and Mr. Woods is
endeaVoring to ascertain whether or not
ne has authority to permit the open trench
TO be dug in the event he should feel in
clined to favor the proposition.
The Route Inspected.
Late yesterday afternoon Commissioners
west and Biddle made an inspection of the
proposed route of the tunnel and discussed
10
Volved in the proposition of the railroad
company. Commissioner West agreed with
Colonel Biddle that that portion of the
tunnel between b and c streets northea st
should be constructed entirely by the I'M
foreground plan. in order to preserve the
Ilile row OF trees on the west side of first
street and also to prevent damage and an
noyance to the row Of fine residence houses
on the west side of that street
from the south portal of the tunnel at
tNem Jersey avenue and d street southeast
TO a point midway between B and G street
southeast the tunnel has already been con-
structed by the open-cut method. and con-
sent mas been previously given for the con-
n snr.I OF that portion north of c street
MOI theast by the open-cut plan. The route
OF the tunnel now under consideration lies
between Il street southeast and b street
northeast
reasons for Change in Plans.
a summary of the reasons why the rail-
ioau company desires to change it's original
plan OF constructing the portion of the tun-
mel IN question. as stated to the Commits
sioners. is as follows:
IN uiseing the tunnel thus far the enpi-
heers nave encountered a large number Of
,nuoen springs, and the consequent damp
MSS occasloned renders the prosecution Of
the work extremely difficult The earth
CtuhDies down from above the roof of the
toiirS ana about the Sides and difficulty Is
s sU,1o an operating the machinery and in
supporting the earth above the tunnel.
On account of the difficulty of carving On
me eNcaVating and building the masonry
WORK etc, 1t is believed that delay of at
least six months will be caused
on account of the fumes from the asphaIt
used IN the waterproofing of the tunnel IT
would be dangerous, so il is stated for the
men to work in the tunnel by the under
ground method. 1t is also stated that great
difficulty would be experienced in filling in
solidly the space between the roof of the
tunnel and the arched roof of earth above
the roof of the tunnel. Because of the DIFF
hculty in filling this space Ii Is feared that
sinking of the pavement would result
Another stated reason for the proposed
change Is that the engineers can secure bet
ter construction by the open-cut method
than by the boring process.
Statement by Commissioners.
Colonel Biddie and Commissioner West
were seen together by a reporter for The
Star today and answered a number OF ques-
tons relative to the proposition of the rail-
road company. They stated that about
eighteen months will be required to con-
struct the tunnel by the open-cut method.
while about two years would be required II
the boring process were used. Colonel Bid
die said that in his opinion the engineers
could obtain better construction work by
the open-cut plan than by the original
method. The Commissioners stated that
they understood that the open trench would
destroy four trees along the eastern boun-
dairy of the Capitol grounds. and FIVE small
trees on 81 ound under the control of the
District.
For how long a time will the open
trench fifty feet wide be maintained?"
s'I presume the trench would remain until
the tunnel is completed about eighteen
months" answered Colonel Biddle.
"Will not the adoption OF the open-cut
method result In dishguring the eastern
boundary of the Capitol grounds for con-
siderable timer
"Of course. the trench would necessitate
the removal of the coping and dtsfigure
the boundary for year or two replied
Colonel Biddle, but the coping could cas-
Fly be replaced, and the parking restored.
and II would be In good condition as
ever after reasonable length of time"
Cannot the tunnel be constructed by the
underground SYSTEM
"Oh, yes 1t Is within the range of pos
sibiltes to build II by the tunneling pro-
cess. but / am of the opinion that the work
could not be performed so satisfactorily by
that method as by the open-cut method"
answered Colonel Biddle, land besides. +"
he added. 1.-THE boring process would re-
quire considerable more time"
u Eight Dwellings There.
The Commissioners mentioned that there
era only eight dwelling houses along LIST