Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-28
MORROW IN REBUTTAL
Answers Vests Contentious
as to Site of Satisfaction.
CONSIDERS FUTURE NEEDS
Farsightedness, He Sets Forth, Gives
Force to His Arguments.
CONVENIENCE TO BUSINESS
Existing Street Car Line Only Ad-
vantage Of 7th Street Loca-
ton, he Says.

IF you simply consider needs of the
present day, the proposed site for the sub
station between 18th and ~ streets south
west is better than the site at 14th and
Water streets southwest. If you look a
little into the future-the most practical
way of looking at 1.-THE 14th street site
is far preferable"
This is the opinion of Maj. Jay Nor
row, Engineer Commissioner. regarding
the mooted question of the site for the
substation provided for by Congress for
the benefit of the southern travellers. to
cost approximately $4,000.
THE only advantage of the 7th street
Site" Maj. Morrow continued. lis the ex-
istence of car line. Aside from that
there are no other attractions. AS q mat
ter of fact the 18th street site is nearer
the heart Of the business section of the
city. and, Furthermore, will continue to
be on a direct line with business activ-
ity, the way the city is growing now.
Convenient to Business.
1.-THE 14th street location will provide a
station that is more convenient to the va
rious department buildings. Above all,
a substation should be located as far away
from the main station as possible with
out interfering with the convenience.
III predict" he continued, that if the
substation is located at a point between
Az and 7th streets, as advocated by
Commissioner West, some commuters
from Virginia and residents in the south
west section of the city. in ten years. and
possibly less, will raise a loud clamor to
have the station moved to the 14th and
Water streets site.
Business activity is centered at 14th
street and New York avenue northwest.
Indications are that the business section
will move westward in the future, and
not eastward. With the substation at
direct line with the business center.
Look at city map and you will see
the force of my contention
Il have records" Maj. Morrow said.
that show how the 14th street site was
practically decided upon in 1903. when
the Union station and other railway
changes were considered by Congress.
1.-THE site was first selected at a con-
of the Senate District committee; Maj
Biddle, Engineer Commissioner, and the
clerk to the chairman Of the House Dis
trict committee.
Rixey Father Of Plan.
Late Representative Rixey of Vir-
ginia. who represented the district from
against the site. was the father of 1t. He
first suggested it to the conferees. If he
were living he would still be in favor
Of it.
These men realized they were consid-
ering a station that was to stand and
serve the city for at least fifty or seventy
five years. That is the reason they de-
cided upon the 14th street site.
LAS far as not having a car line for
this site Is concerned. legislation can be
sought providing an up-to-date line. There
Is no doubt that in two years q line COM
pairing favorably with any line in the city
will be on the scene.
1t is simply a case of educating the
public in looking into the future" he con-
cluded.
Commissioner West is still convinced
that the 14th and Water streets site is out
street is for the best interests of the cit1-
Gems. He has received today several let
tiers from business men and private indi-
viduals indorsing his stand and congratu-
latfng him upon the fight he is making to
bring the station to the 7th street site.
northwest In a letter said:
The location of a station at 14th street
would almost entirely defeat the object
sought to be obtained by the act Of Con-
gress providing the station. owing to the
inaccessibilty of that location"
j. Sondheimer OF 5Oo-11 IN street south
west informed Mr.. West in a letter that
the large majority of citizens in South
west Washington oppose the 14th street
site and agree that a far better location
for the station would be either on the
railroad property on street between ~
at street between B and AZ streets.