Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-31
NEW TROLLEY LINE is WANTED
TO OPEN THIS SUBURBAN SECTION
Locality East and Northeast Of City, Now Farm Land Looks
to Transportation Facilities for Adequate De-
velopment-Seek Avenue to Baltimore.

section of the country outlying WASH
ington has been pointed out by some real
ty operators as awaiting development TO
make it available for homes.
1t is that wide stretch of country that
lies between the two lines of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railway Company as they
approach the city, the Metropolitan
forming the western boundary and the
Washington branch the eastern.
In shape the region is like a fan that
opens out from the city, or rather from
the bounds of the District. and at its
broadcast part includes what is known as
the Sandy Spring locality. 1t is pointed
out that away from the immediate vicin-
ity of the railway lines but little sub
urban building has been done. The infiu-
ence of the city is seen, Of course, in the
FARMS which are unusually rich and pro-
ductive in this section and the proximity
Of which to such center OF populauon
as this city modifies and influences the
kind and extent of the crops raised.
AS section for farming 1t is generaiiy
looked upon as containing some of the
best farms in the vicinity of the city.
In this region will be found farms which
are owned by city residents and where
their homes are for portion OF the year.
For the most part gentleman farmers, In
the sense that they have not the oppor-
tunity to cultivate the land by their own
labor. these holdings. nevertheless, show
evidence of care and attention.
They are. in fact. the country homes of
city people and lose nothing of their at
tractiveness BECAUSE Of their setting.
try, bearing all the marks OF prosper
Gus farming life These conditions, as
well as the proximity of the section TO
the teeming life of the city. serve to give
emphasis to another feature, which is
that it is without direct and rapid con-
nection with the center Of population.
Awaiting Development.
Why not, ask observers. make this
property marketable? There is only one
way to DO such a thing in the modern
way, and that is to build a railway-not,
Of course, steam road. but later de-
vice and now becoming In some respects
its rival, and that is the universal trolley.
At present this section is supplied with
two principal wagon roads, known as the
Colesville and the Brookville roads, with
other minor ways. But the shrek of the
steam engine and the hum of the trolley
car are not as yet heard throughout that
try.
The prospect as it appears to the eye
and the mind of the average real estate
broker is one that is full of possibilities
of large money returns. To find an al
most virgin country in these days or
wonderful transformations. due to the
growth of cities and the reflex growth Of
the surrounding territory, is something
that does not occur in the experience or
every day Certainly there are few spots
in the vicinity OF this city which have
thus far escaped the hand OF the suodi-
vision maker.
But here to the east and the northeast
Of the city. going beyond Takoma Park
and away from the immediate region of
the steam railroads and with no trolley
roads, there appears to be possibilities
that appeal to the imagination Of men
who are accustomed TO make money by
finding places where men and women
want to set up their homes. But while
the country itself would furnish a good
business for slch a road and can there
fore be ranked as A feeder for the pro-
spective line still it is pointed out that
there is chance of doing something be-
yond local business by extending the
road on to the Ellicott Mills region and
thus forming a connection with the Bal
timore City line Of street railways.
In other words. the bold projectors of
this idea contemplate what would prac-
tically be another trolley road between
this city and Baltimore. The section of
the country through which it would pass
is separated by quite stretch of country
from the line now in operation between
The two cities, and in addition 1t is Gained
that such a road would be influential in
opening up an entirely new section Of
what is properly portion of the suburbs
Of this city.
1t is of course not known how this
scheme will strike the judgment OF men
who have the money to put into It, but
independent of that phase. the subject is
an interesting one. for the reason, IL for
no other. that il furnishes additional
proof of how this city is expanding.
As Trolley Goes, So Goes Building.
Some notion of the extent of such a
growth can be gathered from study Of
he trolley roads that are now in opera
ion with their long arms extending out |
rom the heart of the city for surprising |
y long distances. Mere territorial lines |
orm no bar to the pressure of the popu- |
alton out from the center. so one passes |
rom the District Of Columbia into Mary |
and and Virginia without being aware of |
he change.
Now IT is possible for one to journey by
70 ley from the heart of the city to Fair I
ak Court House or to Mount Vernon or
o the Great Falls of the Potomac on the
'irgnia side Of the river. all points in
hat state. In each case the d stanc, from
he city. is computed at about twenty
niles.
Then there are on the other side of the
liver, in the state Of Maryland. lines of
lectric cars that take passenger up to
some twenty miles away. or a
imilar distance to Laurel. There are In
EDITION extensions Of the city lines prop
r which furnish transportation direct
rom the heart of the city for long dis
ances into the suburbs, as for example
he Cabin John, Chevy Chase. Forest
Hen. Brookland. Kenilworth and Con-
ress Heights lines.
A study of the street car system of the !