The Washington herald., 1908-05-24

One OF the hopeful features OF the
growth of Washington is the gradual ex-
tension of suburban traction lines into
the territory outside What is known as
the Maryland line Of the City and Subur-
ban Company. the Forest Glen division
OF the Brightwood line, the Rockville
road, the lines to Falls Church and Alex
andria, are those which have been longest
In operation. and which have been con-
stant feeders TO the citys trade and COM
mercial progress.
Moro recently the Great Falls and Old
Dominion line went into operation. and
since its construction there has been
large development Of property and the
upbuIlding Of suburban homes in that part
OF the adjacent country. Still more re-
Gently the new electric line TO Annapolis
and Baltimore has begun running. has
been well patronized, and will naturally
become an important link connecting the
two cities, as well as the means Of af-
fording transit 10 the territory between.
which Will have an immediate effect In
the increase Of home building all along
the line
Part of Large Movement.
These new lines Of railway. which are
reality. and which may now be estimat-
ed as part OF the regular facilities
Of travel in and about Washington. are
part OF the great movement of electri-
ca traction going on in all parts Of the
country, and which in time will probably
extend much further than is now thought
probable
The connecting Of Washington with dis
tant points by trolley lines has been
somewhat slow in coming. The companies
first built were in the nature OF expert
ments. Other similar experiments. such
as the proposed road to the battlefield of
Gettysburg, have not been realized, be-
cause they have lacked sufficient. or the
right kind of financial backing to carry
them successfully through. But II is by
no means impossible that In tile further
development Of electrical traction outward
from the city line may be constructed
70 Gettysburg, which will open not only
a delightful means Of taking summer
trip, but will give needed travelling facili-
AACS 10 n lClAAlpIg wei duhpkeQ LOT COuL-
try homes. small farms and villas
Schemes In Virginia Cities.
Within the last week has come to the
notice of Washingtonians an announce
ment that a company Of capitalists from
York. Pa; HagerstOwn, Md; Martins
burg. W. Va. and Winchester. Va. have
started an enterprise for connecting Shep-
herdstown with Martinsburg. w Va, and
It with Charlestown. w Va, and Win
chester. Va. 1t is also stated in the an
nouncement that II is the intention to
run the line eventually TO the Potomac
River. as a means Of reaching the Capital.
Another similar project is being talked
OF at Winchester, Va. according TO a
dispatch from that city. 10 the effect that
capitalists there are considering the
feasibility Of building an electric railroad
from Winchester. by way OF Leesburg
and intermediate points. 20 Washington.
These stories may or may not have
stable foundation, but they show one
thing. and that is that wideawake men
in Virginia recognize the advantage
which such means of transit would give
The truth is. that there is a large ter
ritory embraced in the cities named. and
the country district surrounding them,
which would be much benefited by troll
ley lines between the cities themselves.
and also by line reaching TO Washing
ton. Let this need be long enough recog-
nized and something will come of il. as
is the case with the lines already emu
merated and now in operation.
Outsiders Look This Way.
The truth seems TO be that there IS a
territory of a widening radius in Vlr-
ginia that is looking this way, and recog-
nizing the fact that the Capital is the
center toward which II should naturally
gravitate for purposes Of trade. as well
as sightseeing social and political afil-
iations. The populations of those grow
ing cities in the three States named. feel
Ing that they want nearer ane freer
communication with Washington will
stick to the proposition until Il is real
lied. Fifteen years would not be a long
time FOR the realization Of such a pur-
pose.
1t has been fifteen years since the first
company was formed In MARYLAND TO
Duilu troHey line between the two cities
IL Is ten years or more since the line of
communication then projected mas ex-
tended to Ellicott City from the Raltirnora
end. and to Laurel from the WashingtoD
end. Both lines are running. with onlv
few miles between them. 1t was left 70
new enterprise. formed later. TO make
the connecting link between the cities and
realize the plan formed so long ago.
Not ImpracticabIe Dreams.
What should be impressed is that the
traction plans forming in Maryland. vir-
ginia, and West Virginia are not wild
dreams, merely. and tine fact that the
two mentioned with third that has
gained some headway at Petersburg. Va.
have been announced within one week. Is
significant Of the growing need of such
facilities OF travel as the lines described
would afford.
Within conservative lines II would ap-
pear that Washington's business men
should seek TO foster the building OF
transportation facilities into the sur
rounding territory. where the plans are
proved to be practicable, and where they
VIII work out into paying investments for
the cost OF construction and operation
The further such lines are extended the
larger the influence OF the city becomes
IN the way of trade and as the agent of
supplying such territory with ali that it
raoufraa