Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-17
Widening Of 10th Street.


Widening of 10th Street.
The first snag of the day was struck
when Mr. Smith called up the bili-H. r.
1tss3Lfor the widening of 18th street
northwest at Piney branch. Repre-
sentative Wiley of New Jersey making
the report.
The committee finds that to the east
of the 18th street bridge. crossing ROCK
creek, there exists a low, bowl-like area
whose general level Is about sixty-hve
feet below that of the street. Public
ownership in this locality includes mere
iy the limits of 10th street. 1t is desired
under this bill to acquire this low grouno
to the extent of about four and hair
acres for two main purposes:
"n To permit the construction of a
connecting road from the south end Oh
the bride around the rim of the boWi-ilke
area referred to. With gradual descent TO
the bottom thereof, thereby effecting a
connection with the low level of Rock
Creek Park Ia strip affording entrance TO
the same having been recently purchased
on the west side of the bridge) from the
high level of 18th street. This strip would
be practically wasted unless connection
can be made between 1t and 18th street
"(2) To prevent the destruction of all
natural beauty in and about the Sixteenth
Street bridge This bridge has cost 800
GNO. of which at least 100000 was spent
for esthetic reasons. This latter amount
would be practically lost unless the site
be protected as proposed in the bill. The
depression referred to. If left in private
ownership. must necessarily become
dump for whatever material is available
for filing in order that the general ele-
Walton may be increased to practicable
building grade. The private ownership
and present layout of streets to the east
of the bridge are such that under present
conditions building must advance with
back yards. side yards and house tops.
RA2k in
direct view of the 10th street structure.
The requirement of four and half
acres as proposed. with authority to re-
arrange the highway plan to the east of
manner the objectionable features of the
present condition and will afford an en-
trance to the park.
THE immediate cost of this measure
should not exceed $4,000 and the ulti-
mate cost to the public $4,000
Defeated by Narrow Margin.
Representative johnson of Kentucky
also a member of the committee. opposed
the bill. declaring ii proposed to ask the
government to spend good money for a
hole in the ground He criticised the
construction of the bridge at that point
and said this would be a matter Of
throwing good money after bad
The bill was defeated by a close vote.
Acquiring Riparian Rights.
There was a long wrangle when Mr.
Smith called up the District Commits
sioners' bill. upon which favorable ac-
tion was taken by the committee, TO
authorize the opening of a road along
the Anacostia river. Mr.. Smith ex-
planned that the bill had for it's puf-
pose the requirement of the fee-simple
title to certain portions of the eastern
shore Of the Anacostia river, immedf-
ately in front Of which, under approved
plans Of the War Department for the
Improvement of the Anacostia river.
there will result the reclamation Of
several hundred acres OF ground.
1T is urgent" said Mr.. Smith, that
the riparian right along the portion OF
the stream to be reclaimed should be defi-
nitely vested In the United States pre-
vious to reclamation. since the reclaimed
area WILL be several hundred acres in ex-
tent and of great value. and unless the
riparian rights are secured to the gov
eminent they would probably be the sub
ject of long litigation. In addition to the
will provide the ground for the construc-
ton of a lower-level road from the navy
yard bridge southwark. which will be Of
very great value in The development Of
The bill provides for the assessment
of benefits equal to not less than one
half the damages. wherefore 1t is esti-
mated that the burden against the public
by the assessment provided parties bene-
fitted will. it Is thought, bear an equal
burden
Chairman Tawney of the House ap-
preparations committee explained that
the entire expense is to be paid from the
revenues of the District and the jury. In
the event the bill is passed. is to assess
one-half the amount on the adjacent
property. He did not believe the entire
cost could be estimated at this time.
Representative Borland favored the bill
He thought the water front of Wash
ington should belong to the city. and
this was one way to secure 1t. This. ne
thought should be the beginning OF =
plan TO give the city the entire owner
ship of the water front.
Il don't care IL 1t costs 500. 600, in
stead of $4,000 he said. IT think this
water front should belong to the city"
Representative Johnson of Kentucky.
a member of the committee, insisted that
no man could tell how much land is to
be condemned under the bill, or at what
cost.
Chairman Smith pointed out that the
estimated cost. as he had stated, was
about $4,000. and that $4,000 was to be
assessed against adjacent property He
further asserted that when the con-
tempiated Improvement OF Anacostia river
is made private parties under this bill
would be prevented from getting the re-
claimed land
Representative Keifer of Ohio contend
ed that the bill would not give the city
any more than an easement in the road
way.
This remark resulted In a running de.
bate among the learned lawyers Of the
House on easement. fee simple and RICH,