Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-28
LINE OF RETIREMENT
Suggestion as TO Potomac
River Transportation.
MORE WHARF ROOM NEEDED
Some Additions to the Street Rail-
way System.
EXPANSION OF RETAIL TRADE
What Can Be Done to Aid Greatly
in the Commercial Develop
ment of the City.

In the way of improvement OF trans.
portation facilities. which would go far
toward the development of Washington.
two central ideas seem to obtain among
the men in business crcles-men. who
have given much thought to civil prob
lens and much of their valuable time TO
working for the best interests of the
whole community. 1t is generally agreed
that one of the principal needs of the Capi-
| tai city itself is a cross-town trolley line.
and this would be material factor in
the further growth and upbuilding Of all
Of the northern part of the city 1t
would have the effect it is declared, or
increasing property values and Of stimu-
lating the construction of homes in those
parts of the city to which it would af-
| ford easy access.
The other great need. as has been fire.
uuently pointed out by the Board OF
Trade the Chamber of Commerce and nu-
merous other civic bodies is the deepen
ing and widening of the ship channel in
the Potomac river. so that vessels engaged
in the coastwise and other trades might
approach this city with freedom. From
time to time, also, there has been agi-
tation for certain changes in the meth
DDS of handling the passenger and freight
traffic in and out of Washington on the
steam railroads, but since the construc-
great gravity yards just below the city
in Virginia at Four Mile Run, il is con-
ceded that the various railroad companies
whose lines converge at this point have
done probably all that can reasonably be
expected of them.
D. ]. Callahan, assistant general mana
ger of the Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company, prominently identi-
fled with the activities of the Chamber of
Commerce. was asked to define what would.
in his judgment, tend the most to develop
the commercial interests of the District
of Columbia. and his answer. summarized
under five general heads. In great meas
ure coincide with the opinions frequently
expressed by other pubcspirited men.
The propositions he specified as desirable
have furnished inspiration for many cam
paigns before Congress.
Mr. Callahan said: 1T would he TO the
advantage of the Capital City
Mr. Galatians Specifications
"First-To impress upon national
legislators. through the proper officials.
the necessity of providing navigate.
through the Potomac river. with deeper
and wider main ship channel. thus af-
fording an easier approach to our port
of vessels of large dimensions and deep
draft. engaged in the ccastwise or other
trade.
..Second-To relieve the congestion
along the river front by removing at least
a part if not all. of what is known a. the
Potomac Park or flats, thereby giving 10
masters adequate quarters wherein to
safely handle their steamers
..Third-To provide a uniform system Of
wharves. with wide slips between. en-
abling steamers to be berthed therein,
thus leaving the. front of the dock avail
able for other commercial uses.
'.Fourth-A direct trackage connection
with the rail lines diverging to points
north. east and west. thus affordins every
facility for the handling and transmits
sion of much through merchandise that
now finds its destination via the port or
Baltimore. Md.
..F'ifth-Special activity on the part OF
our merchants wholesale and retail look
ing to the expansion of their business
and its dissemination into the great
southern field"
Elimination of a Junction.
Besides the construction of a cross-town
trolley line, it has been contended that
one of the things which would be most =
beneficial to the northern part of the
city. particularly Brightwood Takoma
Park and other adjoining suburbs, would
be the elimination of the transfer june
ton at 7th street and Florida avenue,
and the placing in service of through
cars from all of these points. Similarly
IT has been suggested that the rapid
new subdivisions along the line of Con-
necticut avenue extended will soon re-
qure that all cars on that line shall run
through to the center of the city.
lJoryay-yn,I sbouId have Seep Hofayre