The Washington times., 1915-01-16
MAY YLOWERRUNN|NC
time TO NEW YORK
Proposed New Two.Track Tun.
mel Under Baltimore Would
Improve Service to Capital.

, BALTIMORE. Jan. 16-After years Of
dickering with the city of Baltimore
in an effort to relieve the congestion Of
It's north and south-bound traffic. the
Pennsylvania railroad finally has made
a definite proposition which will not
only relieve this congestion. but also
eventually will enable the road to re-
duce its running time from New York
city limits southwark to and very prob
ably including Washington.
The proposition contemplates the ex-
penditure of millions of dollars for an
additional two-track tunnel through the
city Of Baltimore. running parallel to
the existing two-track tunnel. The i'm
provement will give the Pennsylvania a
four-track line under Baltimore
A possible Improvement in connection
with this tunnel is the electrifcation of
the pennsylvania lines I'm the city. This
has been insisted upon from the very
first by the city az a condition for any
franchises for new trackage needed by
the Pennsylvania. and - IS considered
assured that the city will not recede
from this demand.
II the Pennsylvania is compelled to
electrify it's lines in Baltimore-which Is
desired by the city In order to reduce
the smoke nuisance In the residential
section-it Is believed that the electri-
fication will be continued beyond the
city limits southwark to and verv prob
ably including the Washington terminal.
Outline of Plans.
The Pennsylvania plans for improve
ments in Baltimore were outlined in
letter from Gamble Latrobe. general
agent Of the Pennsylvania railroad In
Baltimore. This letter will be con-
sidered by the Board Of Estimates at
its meeting, next Tuesday.
The primary point in Mr.. Latrobe's
letter is that the railroad company pro-
poses to resort to additional tunnels
under the city streets for its RELIEF.
paralleling the two existing tunnels, and
in this way secure four tracks through
the city.
The company has had three proposi-
tions in view from time to time to re-
restricted use Of the present tunnels in
the city has forced upon 1t. The first
was the building Of cut-ot around
the city, which would. carry its track
away beyond the city line and max!
connections to the north and east OF
the city in a zone that seemed to cut
OF Baltimore as a point on the main
line OF the Pennsylvania system: Ihis
project was defeated by the action OF
the legislature. which not only refused
permission for the proposed cutoff line.
but prohibited its construction in ths
future.
Considered Tunnel Under River.
The next suggestion was the tunnel
ing Of the Patapsco river at point
just outside the city boundaries. The
railroad company had soundings made
Of the river at the point where 1t was
proposed to lay the tube. but it is be-
iieved these were found to be imprac-
ticable for the purpose-at any rate
this sugce stion was never carried any
further than the sounding process.
The other plan is to parallel tho
existing tunnels, both to the north.
going toward New York and the COM
pany's deep-water terminals at Can
ton, and to the south, going toward
Washington and other points south.
What the Pennsy Offers.
Its accomplishment. of course. de
pends on the granting by the city OF
the privileges the Pennsylvania is
asking. At the same time the com
pany offers in exchange for these
privileges to do one thing, at least.
the city has long urged 1t to do.
This one thing is the covering of the
bed Of jones falls in the territory in
the vicinity Of Union Station. and
which part the railroad company
owns and has the right to use as 1t
gees fit.