Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-19

Just to the west of Georgetown, along
| the line of the canal and in that strip of
varying width between the canal and the
river. men are at work preparing a road
way for the proposed freight branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. The workmen are almost in sight
| of that portion of Georgetown about the
| bridge over the Potomac. In addition
there are men at work in the Maryland
section. and altogether it looks as if the
| undertaking 50 long talked of, connecting
the main line of the company near Terra
Gotta with the river front at Georgetown,
is at last to be completed
| 1t is recognized by the oldest inhabitants
that at this time there are more men at
work on the line and greater progress
is being made than at any other period
since the building of the line was finally
authorized according to the plan which
the company preferred considerable
distance from the bridge what is known
ds the FoXnal foundry property has been
prepared lor the coming of the railway
line and the old stone buildings have been
taken down. The ground between the
canal and the river nlrroWs just before it
| reaches the beginning OF Water street.
Plans a Double Track.
There does not appear to be space
enough for the lighthouses and for tn
tracks also, but 1t is understood the boat
house of the canoe club west of the bridg
and the other lighthouses are to remain
and that the wagon road now there is to
De wild sned sufficiently for the laying of
the rails. 1t is stated by officials OF the
comp ny that the new line is TO have a
double track.
On tj,n Sid nf fl1a hr;d loo nd inn
medately under its shadow is the new
house of the Potomac boat club The only
other organization of the description now
making use Of the river is the AnalostaH
Boat Club. which is at the FOOT OF F
street considerably to the east of this
iocat on, which is farther up the river for
such sites than was formerly the case.
Center for Freight.
When the new road is finished it will
extend along Water street to the foot OF
3Oth street and Rock creek, where the
railroad company owns large frontage
on the river. and where presumably
freight buildings will be located. 1t is
also presumed that sidings will be extend
ed into private holdings on each side of
Water street as the owners may desire.
The purpose OF the new line is said TO
be the making OF a freight station in the
Georgetown section of the city where not
only parcel freight but freight in bulk
may be brought and thence distributed
in much the same fashion as is now done
Dy the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
from the freight station at Rosslyn at the
Virginia end of the bridge.
In the case of the latter the loaded
trains change from the main tracks at the
new railroad bridge across The Potomac
at the site of the old Long bridge and
passing along the Virginia shore find a
terminus at Rossiyn. From that point
freight of all descriptions. such as build
ing material and parcel and bulk freight,
Is hauled by wagons over the bridge TO
the city and distributed.
Advantage to Georgetown.
When the new line is finished by the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
unc there seems no reason to doubt that 1t
VII be. it is believed that Georgetown
vii! be benefited by the addition to its
'acilities for doing business
When the other import ant improve
ments for the genera: interest of the sec
ZION is carried out and the gorge Of Rock
creek is spanned by bridges at frequent
ntei vels it may be expected the adVan-
tages which Georgetown possesses as
place OF residence Will appeal to an in
creasing number of persons. There is no
question in the minds of those who are
I.ost familiar with the situation that prop
erty values in Georgetown. as well as i'm
)rovements. especially in the residence
.ections. are vitality affected. AT present
the two approaches from the main portion
Of the city are neither convenient nor
slightly and on that account it is not to
be wondered. it is said. that persons in
search of homes hesitate about going
across the creek.
Progress of Building.
In many ways and 10 large extent this
disadvantage has been overcome as NAV
be seen by passing along the streets and
noting the number of new houses and
apartment houses which have been erected
i'm recent years and are now occupied. as
is the rue elsewhere. by their owners, at
least the former But If all this has been
accomplished in spite of the approa ches to
the place what will happen, 1t is asked if
the way to the heights of Georgetown,