Evening star., 1925-08-19
The Freight Terminal Project.

Ihe freight Termlnal Project.
Residents of Maryland adjacent to
the District are vigorously protesting
a project for the establishment Of a
railroad freight line across country
from the lines of the existing rail
routes into Washington to connect
with a proposed freight terminal
located close to the District boundary
on the shore OF the Potomac. They
are presenting their objections TO the
Maryland Public Service Commission,
before which the application OF the
promoters of this enterprise is now
pending for permission to undertake
this construction. In their petition to
the commission they bespeak the con-
sideration of that body for the welfare
OF the residents of the District, who
are powerless to prevent this en-.
croachment.
Washington is, of course, vitality in
terested in this matter. 1t Is claimed
by the promoters of the project that
the proposed new freight terminal will
supply the Capital with additional and
needed facilities for the handling and
distribution of commodities, and that
it will promote the development of a
manufacturing and industrial center
on the outskirts of the District to the
advantage Of this community. On the
other hand, it is evident that the loca-
ton of q large freight terminal on the
river shore above the District line
would mean the maintenance of truck
routes directly through the District
and the city on a long haul to reach
the community markets and ware
houses.
AS all of the projected features of
this plan lie outside of the District of
Columbia. the local authorities have
no jurisdiction over the matter. Should
the Public Service Commission of
Maryland grant permission for the
construction of the projected line 1t
may be established, regardless of pub
lie or official opinion in the District.
But an essential feature of this plan
is a bridge across the Potomac to per-
NIT union with southern lines and the
construction of a railroad through
Virginia. This involves the Federal
jurisdiction over the Potomac River.
and the question has been raised
whether the consent of Congress, or,
at least, Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, will not be necessary to
permit such a construction.
! In this connection the projected
development of the Potomac water
power is to be borne in mind. Present
plans, which await congressional ap-
proval. contemplate the flooding of a
large area on both sides of the river
above Little Falls. Amy proposal for
a bridge and freight terminal estab,
lishment on the banks must be studied
in connection with this contemplated
work. That, it would seem, involves
Congress.
Thus the people of the District are
not entirely helpless in this matter if,
as Is urged by the residents of Mary
| land adjacent to the District, the
project menaces District welfare Con
sent OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission or of Congress, possibly both,
must be obtained for the essential
| link in the project, the bridge, and also
authority must be obtained from the
State of Virginia for the construction
of line through its territory.
The proposal itself does not imme-
diately impress the local community
as advantageous or necessary. There
is no evidence of dissatisfaction with
the present freight terminal facilities
in and around Washington. There has
been no public demand for an increase
of these utilities. If there is such
need, however, the matter requires
thorough study, with consideration for
all interests involved, those of the
people of the steadily developing sub
urbs of Maryland and Virginia as resi-.
Dental areas, those of the people of
| Washington. those of the Government
with respect to its rights on the river
and those Of the railroads, which al
ready maintain extensive yards and
freight-handling equipment. This, In
short, is not a matter to be hastily
| settled by single interest for the
future involvement of great expendi-
lures and possibly irreparable DAMAGES.