Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01
NEED OF CAR LINES
Localities Which Have Grown
Up in Late Years.
ARE WITHOUT FACILITIES
Several East and West Routes
Which Are Wanted.
FEEDERS TO MAIN ARTERIES
What Is Shown by Study OF the
Existing Street Line
Systems.
ARE WITHOUT FACILITIES
FEEDERS TO MAIN ARTERIES

In addition to granting authority for
LAYING street railroad tracks to and
through the Union station plaza. Congress
at it's last session also provided for an
extension of the street railroad service In
this city which not only Is of Importance
ia the locality that will be served, but Also
calls attention to the general matter OF
tie extent in which the needs of the city
in this particular are met.
There are two extensions of existing
lines to be built, and both by the Capital
Traction Company. One is along New Jer-
cav avenue to the station from Florida
avenue and 9TH street. making a connec-
ton with the company's tracks at the
latter point The other new trackage
masses along Florida avenue east of 9Th
street to Sth street east, and thence south
along that street to the section now oc-
cupied by the company with its line 70 the
navy yard.
The New Jersey avenue branch is man
ifestly suggested by the need OF reaching
the new center, whlie tne Gun ts
branch is evidently to provide an exist
ing need in the street car service. Wnen
it is considered that in that great stretch
of territory lying east of the Capltoi, from
the navy yard to Flor1oa avenue anu
from 1st to 18th street east, an area or
more than two miles square, there Is no
street car line from north to south, II
will readily be understood that some ad-
diIiOn was needed.
There Are other Localities.
In fact, Capitol Hill is not the only
section of the city where the existing
system of trolley roads has proved TO De
Inadequate to meet the demands. Since
mostsof the roads have been built the city
has been growing, and with rapidity
and to an extent that are simply marvel
Gus. The lines leading from the center
of the city TO outlying points nave peeh
extended from time 10 time, ana IL 10
believed there is not much to be desired
in that particular.
In the meantime the sections between
these lateral lines have been building up
and the population has been lhcreasHs'
independent communities with stores ana
churches and schools and society nalls
and every other feature almost OIL sep
arate place Such sections nave, as d.
rule, direct communication Will the inan
business portion of the city, but, as FAR as
eacn other is concerned, they are isolated
exc ept DIV long and circuitous street rail-
way routes. - -,
For example, If a person living IN the
Navy Yard section desires to go 10 the
locality north of East Capitol street he
will find there is no way OF getting there
by means OF street cars except py com.
ing down to the center OF the city ana
then making a long detour to the desired
noint. He finds that, In point OF time.
walking is quicker, and. In addition'
couple Oh fares will be saved.
More Car Lines Needed.
These defects in the street railway sys-
tenn of the city have by no means passed
upnoticed. as witness the number Of eff
forts to secure a cross-town line some
where in the vicinity OF from NJ TO =
street. 1t may be said that the failure,
therefore has been due mainly to the resi-
dents themselves, who with hearty accord
have opposed a car line on the street
where their residence or property are SIT
uated, while at the same time favoring
the general proposition of cross-town
line.
As Feeders to Existing Lines.
The existing companies have not as a
rule made any objection to building such
lines, although it is admitted that as q
separate proposition they would not yield
much of a return upon the cost of build
ing and operation, but as portions OF ex-
istInp systems and acting as feeders TO
them they would supply what the public
needs and at the same time not add much,
if anything to the burdens of the operat-
Ing COMPANIES.