Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-23
SOME STREET EXTENSIONS
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Increasing the Facilities of Communication
Throughout the District Estab-
lishrnent of Thoroughfares.

Some desira Bile and useful extensions of
streets were authorized at the recent ses-
sion of Congress. and during the present
season the system of highways will be
made more complete and some stub ends
of streets will be opened so that there
will be through way where at present
| there is no direct communication. AS is
we'll known the street extension laws
which are now a feature of the
legislation of every session of Con-
gress accomplish what was not
done when the plan of the city was
applied to the territory outside of the
original urban limits and that is to Sc
cure the right of way for the streets mus
laid down and defined.
For the most part, the current street
extension applies to the continuation Of
existing streets in places where there was
no thoroughfar, when the highway sys-
tenn was adopted. and then, again. the
method of securing the land for such uses
is resorted to in order TO provide a street
where none was planned. An instance of
this kind is to be found in the street that
is to be opened on. the western bounds of
the grounds of the Soldiers Home and
extending from the Howard University
reservoir north to the Rock Creek Church
road
In addition to the attractive surround
ings of such street. with it's setting of
park. it will form a much desired link in
a driveway that will completely surround
the beautiful grounds of the home, and
will on that account practically become
Park road. as its name implies.
1t will be continuation of Michigan
avenue which extends along the south
ern border of the grounds of the home
from the Bunker Hill road to the grounds
of the filtration plant and Mcmillan Park
which is now opened in part. will extend
north, following the boundary of the
property of the Soldiers Home on the
west until it ends in the Rock Creek
Church road. which extends along the
northern boundary of the grounds to its
junction with the road along the east
side.
Allowing for City Growth.
Another feature of the group of bills
which were enacted at the recent session
of Congress and come under this head
ing is the provision which is made for
the growth of the city. From this point
Of view it is possible to trace the aG-
vance of the city's population in the vi
cinity of Georgia avenue. Quite num-
Der Of the bills are for the purpose of
extending streets in that section, as, for
example, authority is given for the con-
tinuation of Harvard street from
Georgia avenue east to the grounds OF
the Soldiers Home. OF course there is
no reference in the bill itself to the fact
that Harvard street from 18th street is
now closely built UP in city fashion and
that this extension means this style OF
Improvement is to be continued to the
farthest point on the east.
Columbia road is to continue in a di-
rect line east of Georgia avenue to the
park of the Soldiers Home, and Newton
street the course of which to the west
of Georgia avenue is now interrupted, Is
to be opened up all the way to Spring
road, thus furnishing means of COM
munication which is important in To-
cality that has been rather thickly built
up in the past year or so.
Along the Eastern Branch.
In quite another section of the city, or
rather in what is still suburban in char
acter, although sharing with other sec
tons In the influence Of the growth of
the city. highway CT consequence is to
be opened. 1t is to begin at the Ana
costa end Of the bridge across the East
ern branch. on the line of 18th street
east in the city system and thence will
pass west. 70 lowing the banas of the
st: cam to Gees ooro po:nt, where the steel
plant Is located. TIE latter Is an Incl
dent in this improve ment, as the new
street Is intended TO meet a need for
more direct and better means of COM
munication between the city and this
section of the District.
There Is another object. The new road
or street is to be no less than 16J feet
in width, and In condemning the ground,
which. as stated, comprises the entire
stretch OF the south bank OF the Eastern
branch, the riparian rights are to be in
cluded. SO that the ownership of the
water front will be In the public when
| this right OF way Is secured.
| Such rights are of consequence in view
of the contemplated improvement of the
| Eastern branch. which will, no doubt
necessitate filling up a considerable part
of the low lying grounds along this
stream. Securing to the public the RI
! parian rights will continue through this
| section Of the Eastern branch the same
| ownership that now In part. and eventu-
/ ally in the whole, will apply TO the en-
| tire course Of that stream in the desired
| area.
Convenient Connecting Links.
There are other street extension prof.
ec,s which are of interest and of much
| consequences In the course OF the develop
| ment of the city. 1t is proposed to ex-
| tend the course of Franklin street as it
will pass to the west Of the grounds
about the National Training School for
Boys SO as to form connection from