Evening journal., 1918-04-22
PENNSY MAY BUILD
Baltimore TUNNELS
McAdoo May Order Con-
struction of Four Tracks
TO Facilitate Service
CUTOFF LAW
PROTECTS THE CITY

BALTIMORE, April 22.-some COM
ment was heard in business and bank
Ing quarters on Saturday over the pro-
posed policy Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company to build four tracks to
accommodate its traffic between New
York and the South. The fact that the
company had a bill in the last Legis-
lature TO give It the right to lay these
additional tracks IN this State was well
known, and it was generally conceded
that the request was fair one, as u IN
no way contemplated the ignoring OF
Baltimore in this added service.
This proposed four-tracking OF the
line between Washington and New
York is not a new one with the com
pany. It has been under consideration
for many years, and surveys TO meet
the requirement have been made both
30 the north and south OF the city. 1t
was also considered when the company
built It's new bridges over the water
courses between this city and Phila-
delphia, and while all OF these do not
provide for four tracks, they have been
so constructed OF concrete that the ad-
NlIlundl EIhMo AEAlAAAANn W ANftN
a fOur-track system can be easily
added.
In ell its plans submitted to the city
FOR local improvements the company
has included the right TO build addi-
tional two-track tunnels, both to the
north and TO the south This work
has also been outlined by the company
and it's surveys made for carrying
them forward whenever permission Is
granted.
Therefore, the action Of the company
I'm getting the right TO lay additional
tracks 90 facilitate its train movement
between Washington and New York
taking in this city, does not came ss a
surprise even to those who have paid
only a cursory attention to the policy
Those living along the road from the
Susquehanna TO the District OF Colum-
bla line have seen the corps Of sur
veyors going over the contemplated
territory where the tracks are to be
laid
some have thought this privilege
may give the company the right to 80
around Baltimore with the improve
ments, and so avoid the necessity for
the building OF the two additional tun-
nels under the heart Of Baltimore It
N- UUIuLEu WMNs AAUNNHhNAn NAAnN NAAN NAAA
sylvania will be disbarred from any
such action so long as the anti-cut-off
law Is on the statute books. This bill,
enacted more than ten years ago, for
bids the company TO build any tracks
within an area Of i6 miles to the north
OF the city, and particularly specifies
the territory which it cannot use. This
lakes In the whole section as far out as
OWin0s Mills. 70 is said. and, therefore,
the company must come through the
city with any new tracks It Will build.
To meet this need. therefore, 10 VIII
have 90 get the right 10 build the new
tunnels. which was a prominent part
OF the last proposition the Pennsyl-
ysnia submitted TO the city and which
is stin held In allegiance.
Business men who have been keeping
r. close watch on this situation contend
that the company will not be able 10
20 around Baltimorc-cerlainly not to
the north-for its new trackagc. il
must come through the city by way OF
new tunnels or else cross the Patapsco
river either by a tube or a bridge
neither OF which &c has yet asked the
right 20 construct.
There IS phase Of the situation,
however. which was suggested and
which may have material bearing on
the building Of the contemplated im-
rrovenents. No one believes the
PENNSYLVANIA will undertake the eX-
penditure OF so much money during
The term of the war and FOR the period
the road is IN control Of the Govern
ment. In fact, 70 Is said that the COM
pany has no purpose Of going ahead
with this work while the war lasts. as
rs activities and its resources may be
diverted TO other directions
Should the Director-General Of Rail-
roads feel, however, that the building
OF a new line around Baltimore Or
through Baltimore was essential for The
prompt movement OF trains over the
Pennsylvania. or should he become
convinced that such additions TO the
company's traflc would facilitate any
war work. he may be able to order i
done. regardless Of the existing laws.
This matter has never been brought
up and has never been submitted fol
a judicial opinion so far as Is known
but It is cOntended that il the Govern
ment had the power TO take over the
roads It may equally possess the righi
SO make those roads capable Of the bes
results 20 the Government in its iudg
ment. II the Director-General shoulC
he convinced that the operations Of th'
Pennsylvania can be materially speedeC
by the building Of a cutoff, he may
have fun authority 10 order it built
Much may depend on the financial abil
iiy OF the road TO stand the cost Of thu
work
At the moment however, the impress
sion is that If the Pennsylvania build
a four-track road TO take In its l0ca
lines. It will pass through the city b!
means OF additional tunnels, as ha
been contemplated since the cutoff Law
was enacted