Evening star., 1926-03-28
WHY ALL FORCES ARE ARRAYED
AGAINST BELT LINE RAILWAY
Briefs Filed With Senate Subcommittee Reveal
Menace to d. c., Maryland and
Virginia.

gateway ana Wnlcn IIllSIil NC cApCSISu
to move over such a belt line Ii con-
structed, is being promptly and eff
ciently handled at the present time
with existing facilities, ana ] per-
sonally know that not only are the
facilities at Potomac Yard ample for
all present requirements, but very
considerable amount of land has re-
oently been purchased in order to pro-
vide for any possible eniargements
that may be necessary as time goes on:
1T naturally follows from what L
have said above that l do not con-
slider TIE proposed new line necessary
or in the public interest, and L shoulo
hone that permission would not De
gran nted for it's construction.
"Eppa Hunten, jr., president OF the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po'
tomac Railroad Co., writes:
1T is my very distinct judgment
that no such necessity exists at pres
ont, or win develop in the 1uture'
inasmuch as the ability or this com,
Dany to handle eXpeditiousiy all
traffic now offered. as well as us
financial ability to provide Increased
facilities in the future, completely
safeguards the present and future
transportation needs. and contracts
III
Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio,
and which have been in full force for
MANY years, assure us adequate
freight facilities in the city of Wash
ington'
.In the face of such statements
from the presidents of these railroads
the federation is convinced and there
fore. suggests to the committee that
there is no necessity or occasion
whatever from a railroad standpoint
for the belt line.
Attitude of Shippers.
I'm an effort to determine the need,
If any. for the proposed belt line, the
federation has sought information
from shippers using the present facil-
ities. B. II. Knobel president of b,
H. Knobel, Inc, GAS Pennsylvania ave
nue. northwest, this city. wholesale
fruits and produce. handling car lots
only, writes in behalf of his company
and other concerns engaged IN the
wholesale fruit and vegetable business
in the aggregate. representing at leaSt
rs per cent and possibly up TO SO per
cent or 90 per cent of the total move
ment of perishables through Washing
ton, strenuously protesting against
the proposed belt line. :.
mir. Knobels letter is signed, In
addition to himself. by the following
w. II. Harrison Co., Inc; Robert L.
Anderson Co., Leventhal & OXenburg,
c. E. Nichols, William E. Edwards
Premier Brokerage Co, r. j. DAVID
son. Jr. & Co, Leventhal & Oxenburs'
change. Edgerton & Beers, american
Fruit Growers, Inc; Glove Davis
Inc; B. NJ. Knobel, Inc.
"Mr. Knobel says:
"Our opposition is based primarily
on the absolute lack of any necessity
for additional facilities. Secondly, we
oppose this project. as it would have
tendency to disturb existing condl'
tions which at present are highly
satisfactory to all parties at interest.
Third, we oppose the proposed ex-
penditure of public funds as being
unnecessary and without the warrant
of public necessity, or either private
or public need for additional facilities
TO those already established and at
present functioning.
ITO sum the whole matter up, the
existing facilities have never been
called upon to function 100 per cent
of their capacity. They have always
had something in reserve, whether 1t
be trackage space in the yards,
engine power or man power. Shippers
and receivers are satisfied with the
service, and we, who are vitality inter-
ested, representing as We do the
principals who have their money in
vested in these perishable products,
can see neither sense nor reason in a
duplication of the present facilities,
and we wish to place ourselves very
emphatically on record as being op-
posed to the establishment of either
the belt line or the terminal, as at
present applied for
''On March "a last the Washington
branch of the National League of Com
mission Merchants of the United
States adopted a resolution protest
ing against the passage of the bill
and pointing out that the present IA
cilities are adequate. This resolution
is now before the committee, having
been transmitted on the same date to
Senator Jones by the general manager
and secretary Of the league"
No Necessity Whatever.
There was also filed with the COM
mittee a memorandum prepared by
w. w. Bowie, representing all of the
railroads which bring freight into
Washington through the Potomac
yards. Mr.. Bowie demonstrates that
there is no necessity whatever for any
additional facilities for freight move
ment, and says that any necessity or
advantage from its construction is un-
thinkable.
Continuing, the brief says: "In
spite of the most diligent investiga-
ton by the federation, it has been
impossible to obtain a shred of evil
dence that there is any need what
ever for the belt line from trans
portation, railroad or shippers stand
point, from any responsible source
whatever. In the absence of some
positive showing on this point, the
federation feels confident that the
committee, finding no need for the
construction, will not do otherwise
than report the measure unfavorably.
United Local Opposition.
There Is united local opposition to
the project in Maryland, Virginia and
the District of Columbia, both from
the standpoint of property damage
direct and indirect and from the pure
ly civic standpoint. It would De fatal
to the interests of the Nations Capt.
tai and q face-about in the plans for
the city's development.
THE Nation is proud of its Capital
City. 1t is the one city to which all
Americans travel. They are proud of
its beauties and are pleased that it is
taking it's place among the world S
capitals. Large numbers of people
are being attracted to it as a place
of residence and the Nation at large
is earnestly interested in its growth
along the lines of civic beauty. Con
gress, tos mas been liberal in its ap-
Y,ropriof.,Ys tn make the city the most
beautiful in America. Beautiful build.
tngs, splendid parks, wide vistas-all
go to make the city attractive to the
eye and a pleasant place in which to
live.
Congress would never permit a
new railroad to be built within the
confines of the District of Columbia