The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-08-18
Dead End Street Car
Terminals in Washington
By BILL PRICE

The director of traffic studying the question Of dad
end terminals in Washington with the view
ascertanng whether their elimination be brought about
as q relief to traffic congestion.
The terminals most complained of Fifteenth
and streets Fifteenth and New York avenue both lines
Of Washington Railway and Electric Company and long
subject of complaints
Il is admitted that no feasible plan worked out
getting of these terminals right in the heart of
congested business and traffic of Washington
Furthermore going be difficult to work out plans
unless they happen suit the railway company, which is
like all other railway companies too pleased with
the encroachmsnts of the automobile into its fields
Long before the automobile than dreamed of
railway lines of the District with strong pull in
Congress- got about what they asked for in the streets OF
Washington Our present street corporations the sue
those past years. have much faith in their
rights that they put high values these street
easements their valuation claims before the Public
Utilities Commission and the courts.
by various Of Congress the companies feel
practically impossible dislodge them from any
part the District where they may have tracks take
from them rights they supposed to have in using the
dead end terminals parking places for their
just eight years since this newspaper defeated
the plans of the Washington Baltimore Annapolis ine con-
jointly with the W. and e. for street terminals for the big
cars Public Utilities Commission had
lively granted the application of the W. B. and A. to build
tracks New York south into Thirteenth street.
the Masonic Temple into street. thence east
street Twelfth back into New York
terminal loop the busy streets of this city. The Times
fought proposition hard it abandoned and the
W. and A. bought its private property for terminal
at Twelfth and New York avenue
What would the conditions there today had the
application been finally granted7
The Times commended then that the streets belong to the
people Washington and should not be turned to
street company other for its private
The two dead end" terminals in street and New York
avenue will probably remain there the railway company
fit until there consolidation of the street
panies of the District there should be- consolidation of
lines would instantly solve this terminal problem
enabling the Of existing tracks in the reroutng of
between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets
cluttered up with four street railway tracksthe double
the separate companies operating in the District
single block literally choked with street
during the morning and afternoon rush hours in Washington
merger would easily eliminate the dead end
line and permit to be diverted other lines
avoid their standing in that busy horoughfare would
enable of the the Fourteenth street line of
Capital Traction straight through Pennsylvania
and Fourteenth street. instead of turning into New York
That is the only problem that would be solved by al
merger, but not going to get merger because it
would be for the best interests of the people Of Washington
it would help traffic conditions We will get
merger only when there is something in IT. for the financial
interests back of the railway companies and suits their pocket
books
Congress pddled with this merger problem for years
knowing that it should be forced but lacking
it, especially the merger necasssted municipal ownership
Or control Of the two lines