Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-30

the city planning body and
the citizens associations-and the
opinion also of the more prominent
members of the Senate and House
committees on District legislation-it
is very desirable to secure legislative
authority now to meet future sltua-
lions with respect to the construction
of subways or viaducts at railroad
crossings. If such blanket legislation
is granted it would not be necessary
for the Commissioners to seek leSis-
lative authority to eliminate each
grade crossing as the specific ana IN
dividual occasion demands.
In urging action at the last session
Of Congress on a particular bill au-
thorizing the elimination Of the Michi-
gan avenue grade crossing as the one
10 be abolished this year under the
five-veal. program. the District officials
pointed out that portions OF Michigan
avenue necessary to the structural
plan must become public so that the
avenue may be Widened TO its run IN
tended width, in accordance win the
highway plan for at least the lehg!n
of the structure. The penang Dill
uuire the necessary land out OF the
of S275.000 provided; In
he event condemnation PROCEEDINGS
are necessary, not less than one-halI
of the total cost of the land required
for the widening of Michigan avenue
would be assessed as dement's. Inc
amounts collected as benefits would
he covered into the Treasury or the
limited States to the credit OF the DIS
trict.
Early Action Desirable.
The commissioners emphasize that
30 dasirability of eliminating the ex-
istine dangerous grade crossings, IN
the District as rapidly as possible Is
ma nifest The Michigan avenue Dill
;s the second in this direction. the
first being the one for the Lamond
nroiect. which is now in process Oh
construction. g.
The drive at the last session for a
general bill to authorize eilmiflaliol.
of all grade crossings came as re-
suIt of a frightful accident at the
chestnut street crossing. where
how on his way to school ana
Waterman who heroically trled 10
save him lost their lives.
In recommending passage OF TINS
embarrassing legislation, the senate
District committee had this to say as
to the necessity for prompt action:
There is a strong pubic deinalu
for the elimination OF these remain,
ING grade crossings in the District of
rol,in,hia because of their constant
neriI TO human life. The danger Will
increase as population in the sections
where the crossings exist continues
TO grow; and, Furthermore. the cost OF
condemnation of necessary land VIII
increase very considerably if construc-
tion of the viaducts and approaches
is deferred until improvements are
erected on needed property which IS
now vacant"
Numerous Other Crossings.
Besides these four more important
grade crossings there are crossings
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
at Sligo Mill road, at Queen Chapel
road and at Rives road, which are
SPAWNED by wooden bridges main
tanned by the railroad company. No
project for the replacement of these
bridges has been considered because
they are located over lines not heavily
Travelled and are kept up in a reason
ably substantial state of repair.
On the freight line of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad east of Anacostia
River there are grade crossings at
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, Howard road,
Sumner road, Portland street and
Magazine road. The elimination of
these crossings has not been consid-
cred thus far by the District authori-
ties because of the very infrequent
use of the railroad.
Following a suggestion by Maj.
Carey H. Brown, chairman of the
city and park planning committee.
that group on February 16, 1925, con-
sidered the plans for elimination of
grade crossings. The committee was
of the opinion that Chestnut street
should be closed by act of Congress
and that either an overhead or under
ground pedestrian passageway should
be provided by the railroad company.
The committee also was of the
opinion that an underpass should be
constructed at the intersection of
Piney Branch road and Fern street,
rather than at Chestnut street. The
also favored the construc-
ton Of a. viaduct along the line of
Eastern avenue instead of Quarles
street, for elimination of the Quarles
street crossing. The reason for this
is that Eastern ave.
nue., besides being a border boulevard
of the District, will also serve, in
accordance with the present plan, as
a portion of the park drive surround
ing the National Capital.
People are apt to think of Mexico
so much in the public eye just now
as a small country and poor one,
ind &c. 1n fn-