Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-16
New Hampshire Avenue Ey-
tension Before Senate Body.
DETECTION TWICE LOST
Surprise Expressed at Recommends.
ton of Commissioners.
MATTER CANE UP IN 1908
District Committee, It Is Thought,
Will Again Favor Lengthening
in Straight Line.

The Senate District committee-if 1t
follows precedent-is likely to look with
disfavor on the recommendation OF the
Commissioners for the extension Of New
Hampshire avenue on a DETECTED rather
than a straight line. from Buchanan
street, its present terminus, to the Dis
trict line. The Commissioners recon-
mendation for legislation authorizing the
DETECTED extension, made public at the
District building yesterday, was received
by the Senate committee today.
Twice. 1t was pointed out today. Con-
gress has overturned the recommends
lions OF the Commissioners for de-
fected extension. and passed laws direct
ing a straight extension. And no little
surprise was expressed at the Capitol
today among those familiar with these
previous actions that the Commissioners.
in view Of these direct expressions Of
Congress. should come forth again to
urge the detected extension.
The Senate committee gave the ques-
ton special attention in 1908. The year
before Congress had directed a
straight extension. but the legislation
failed OF it's purpose because Of
lack OF appropriation. And the Com
came back in 1908. asking
gress for q straight extension. The
committee determined to make special
inquiry into the matter. to determine IL
there was good reason for a reversal
Of policy.
Bill Passed by Congress.
It's conclusions were expressed in a bill
providing for a straight extension-a bill
which later was passed by Congress.
Again. the legislation failed Of its pur-
pose, because the court dismissed the
condemnation proceedings on the tech
nicality that they were not brought with
In the time limit.
The report OF the Senate District COM
mittee on that bill. recalled today, be-
cause Of the renewed recommendations OF
the Commissioners, said:
THE Commissioners Of the District
of Columbia suggest that instead OF be-
ing extended in q straight line. as con-
templated under the law 1t is proposed
should be detected considerably at
North Capital street and follow gener-
ally the line Of Riggs road, which Is
circuitous and Of considerable grade.
animation of all the conditions in that
section Of the District, your committee
are impressed with the belief that II
would be very unwise to depart from the
direct line of New Hampshire avenue,
which obtains in the city Of Washington,
and which it was the intention under the
original street extension plan Of the Dis
trict of Columbia to be followed wher-
ever possible.
THE proposed detection Will cause
great injury to property holders. many
of whom could not dedicate the land
required except at great personal sacrt-
flee, and 1t would involve the destruction
of houses, loss Of desirable frontage. and
deep cuts, and result in no benefit to
the people which Is not already afforded;
whereas if extended in conformity with
its present direction 1t will not only be
of much greater advantage to the resi-
dents in the immediate vicinity, but will
be of the utmost Importance to the peo-
pie of the whole District. because OF the
additional territory which will be thrown
open to development, and the creation Of
a magnificent public thoroughfare that
will afford the most direct and logical
route for vehic1lar traffic between the
northwest and southwest sec
fiOnS fharonfn