Evening star., 1921-06-16
DC. HEADSQPP0SE
CLOSING 14TH ST.
Commissioners to Put For
ward Determined Fight
Against Plan.

When Congress takes up the Wads-
worth bill to close certain streets and
alleys in Walter Reed Hospital reser-
walton it will encounter determined
opposition to the measure from the
District Commissioners in SO far as 1t
cuts off the extension Of 14th street
through the reservation. Otherwise
the bill meets with their approval.
Engineer Commissioner kutz this
morning said the Commissioners would
deplore action by Congress prohibit
ing the extension Of 14th street and
the development OF the highway plan.
If enacted in it's present form the
Wadsworth bill, he stated. would be a
section Of Washington lying north of
the hospital grounds.
1t was pointed out at the District
building today that. IL 18th street
should be closed. street car service to
the community beyond the hospital
could be provided only under the most
unfavorable conditions and at great
cost 1t probably would be neces-
sary to carry the 14th street line
under 18th street into Rock Creek
Park and thence to the section north
of the hospital reservation by way of
Alaska avenue. This would be a
winding route that would involve SO
much grade work as to make the cost
practically prohibitive.
Bills in Conflict.
The Commissioners have in Con-
eress a bill authorizing the extension
Of 14th street in accordance with the
highway plans, which is being con-
sidered by both the Senate and House
District. committees. but it is in con-
flct with the Wadsworth measure,
which would permit no street to pass
through the hospital property. They
be amended. so as. to except 14th
street, and, if this is done, both bills
could be passed with the Commits
sioners' approval .H
Assistant District Engineer Com.
missioner Bessoa expressed the view
ried through the Walter Reed zone
on q Grade which would be salts:
factory to the War Department. In
fact, it has been proposed that the
street could be depressed below the
general level and bridges thrown
across it so that all footways to, be
used by the officers, students and in
mates of the hospital would pass
over the highway.
Sees Menace to Development.
In the wadsworth proposal. as 1t
stands, Representative Frederick N.
Zihlman of Maryland sees real men,
ace to the development. not only OF
that section of the, District lying
north Of the hospital grounds. but to
MARYLAND communities just over the
District line. These residential Sec
tions soon must have additional trans
portation arteries. he points out. Already
the congestion on the Georgia avenue
line is acute. Extension Of. 14th
street offers the only relief possible
FOR the rapidly-deveaoping section
heyond the hospital, between Georgia
avenue and Rock Creek parks
Residents Of Takona Park. Nd, and
other sections just over the District
line yesterday presented Mr.. Zihlman
with q petition carrying more than
900 signatures. pfotesting against
the proposed closing of 18th street
A similar memorial was presented to
senator Weller Of Maryland. Both
members of Congress told the dele
cation which called upon them that
they are opposed to the -Wadsworth
bill in its present form and will do all
in their power to have It amended &c
that 1t will not interfere with the ex-
tension of 14th street In accordance
with the. highway plans.