The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-08-24
RAILWAYS aid.
CITY GROWTH
BY RICHARD HATTON

greater influences in the develop
ment of communities all over the
United States than the great rail
road systems of the country. East
West, North and South these vast
organizations have pushed into viz
|. gin territory, to the end that new
land has been opened to settlement
new resources made available and
new wealth produced.
Likewise the railroads bring to
older communities much in the way
of material advancement. This is
especially the case in Washington
and the many railroads entering
the Capital have had their share IN
the upbuilding that has been 50
steady in its progress for the last
half century.
For this reason the views Of exec
utives connected with local trans
portation offices are of value IN
estimating the progress OF this COM
munity
Among those in a position to ex-
press an opinion on this subject Is
James B. Edmunds, general agent
In this city of the Chesapeake AMI
Ohio Railway.
Speaking of the city today, Mr..
Edmunds said: 1T Is obvious that
Washington has made vast progress
during the past quarter Of GEN.
tury and especially within recen:
years"
"It seems unnecessary to point to
the greatly increased population ana
the large amount of building con-
struction which has been SO evident
In order to prove what has ALREADY
been accomplished. However, l be-
Iieve that we have only seen the
beginning of the new growth and
that this city is destined in years
TO come to far surpass what today
we consider the population limit.
sIn connection with the growing
population of this CITY," contin> ed
Mr.. Edmunds, the vastly increased
TRANSPORTATION facilities provided ly
railroads has had a part.
"a century ago it was not easy
20 reach the Capital City of the
nation. Half century ago the
Journey from any outlying section
to Washington was not particu.
larly comfortable trip.
To-day, however, from the Pa
cific coast, from the Gulf coast.
from Maine or from any point in
the vast interior section Of the
country the ride to Washington is
made in the utmost comfort and in
assured safety.
''This has been an accomplish
ment of our rail systems and. by
making travel easy. by advertising
the beauties of the nations chief
city and its sightseeing advantages,
they have induced millions of
American citizens to come here for
visits Of long or. short duration.
Think what this has meant In
the aggregate in a financial way
to Washington.
Every year" continued Mr.. Ed
munds. "the Chesapeake and Ohio
IS improving its service and its
equipment and with each improve
ment. with each revised and i'm
proved schedule. greater induce
ment is offered the travelling public
In the territory in which the road
operates to visit the 'show city OF
the nation.
''These increasing thousands OF
tourists must add their ,art to the
permanent business upbuilding OF
the city.
There is another point wherein
the transportation lines are going
10 play an important part in rae
very near future" continued r.
Edmunds. This is in providing
an outlet to recreational localities
within easy reach of the city.
washington has now reached
size where it is imperative that
there be developed places of easy
access where the business man
and others who, of necessity, must
be in the city office every day, can
spend his evenings and his week
ends in moderate comfort. Many
other large cities, especially those
located within easy reach or the
seashore or the mountains. meet
the hot weather problem with short
trolley or motor rides.
"This is not possible here because
of the distance to the cool mountain
elevations op the salt water shores.
The solution of the problem will be
found in the railroads which Will
provide increasingly attractive and
speedy transportation for those who
desire to take advantage of pleasant
climatic surroundings when the
DAYS work in the hot city is over
ana yet De DdCh DIT lhO ueSh ~
and early in the morning after a
comfortable and fast ride into town.
"There Is one thing which should
be given serious consideration in
connection with the present and
future development Of the city.
concluded Mr.. Edmunds, land that
is.the question of real estate values.
Above all things Washington should
guard against initiation i'm anticipa-
ton of the certain increase In
population.
''That real estate values here
are bound to increase is as obvious
as that the population is bound TO
increase, but wise business direc-
ton in any line demands that
values be kept commensurate with
development not pushed ur ahead
e development 10 the end that
development thereby be delayed"