Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-09
ADVERSE TO SUBWAY
Johnston's Bill Opposed by the
Commissioners.
FORECAST OF THE REPORT
Provisions Of the Measure Conflict
With Other Plans.
EXTENDED SYSTEM NOT NEEDED
Recommendation by District Heads
Embraced Small Under
ground Area.
FORECAST OF THE REPORT


Dfsapproval OF the bill of Senator John
ston of Alabama providing a subway and
surface street railway system for Wash
ington will be the verdict Of the Com
missioners Of the District in their re-
port to Congress on the measure AL
though the matter has not yet been taken
up by the local government heads. it IS
stated upon reliable authority that the
improvements outlined in the Johnston
bill are so different from recommends
lions made in the Commissioners recent
report to Congress on the street railway
needs Of the District that there Is no
probability of the measure being ap-
proved.
In their report the Commissioners des-
1gnated certain streets where conditions
of traffic. they believed. would make de-
sirable the construction Of underground
routes. The Johnston bill goes much
farther. providing subways for streets not
considered by the Commissioners.
Probable Report on Bill.
1t Is believed that the District heads
will take the position that there is no
demand for such a system Of street rail-
ways as proposed in the bill Of the Ala
bama senator; that the investment could
company desiring to undertake 1t. and
that the railway needs Of the District will
be much better conserved through i'm
provements and extensions made by ex-
listing companies than through the grant
ing of charters to new corporations.
Maj e. NJ. Markham, now acting
Commissioner Of the District. who drew
up the Commissioners recent railway
report, following an exhaustive study
made by him Of conditions here and in
other cities. in all probability will pre-
pare the report on the Johnston bill.
The measure, which provides that
the proposed system shall be called
the Capital City Subway Company and
names six Washington business men as
the incorporators. stipulates that the
at Union Station, running southerly
on Delaware avenue to the Capitol
grounds; thence southwesterly through
the Capitol grounds to Pennsylvania
Pennsyivania ene avenue '' to Treasury Gy
street: thence northerly to Vermont
avenue and Thomas Circle; thence
westerly and northerly around the cir
Gle and northerly on 14th street to
Meridian street.
Recommended by Commissioners.
In their report on washinston's street
railway needs the Commissioners sug-
gested the desirability of an underground
station located in the vicinity of the cor
ner Of 18th and Pennsylvania avenue
northwest. This station and a small sub
way system. it was urged. would relieve
consested traffic conditions in the north
west business area between G street. H
street, 14th street and 18th street.
The following recommendations were
made by the Commissioners in the report:
Facilitate the consolidation of all street
railway lines Within the District. SO chat
they shall be under one mapaSement and
control. This presupposes the passage Of
a public utilities law.
Refuse charters to new companies
which propose to build extensions within
the District.
Give consideration to the passage of a
law similar to the New York law, through
the operation Of which all or a part OF
the cost Of extensions may be provided
by assessments levied on property bene-
flied.
Any of the above recommendations. 1t is
declared. will stand in the way Of the
Commissioners indorsing the Johnston
bill, whose provisions are In conflict with
them.