Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-18
VOTE WIDESPREAD
TRACTION SURVEY
Park and Planning Commits
sion Members Decide Upon
Thorough Study.

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After hearing the recommendations
of it's expert on how street car trans
portation in Washington could be i'm
proved by joint use of the tracks of
the two companies, rerouting OF lines
to avoid turns and some changes in
the existing track layout, the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion decided yesterday afternoon to
refer the whole subject to a committee
for detailed study and report at the
January meeting.
One of the outstanding suggestions
of Earl o. Mills, the expert who made
the survey, is the elimination of tracks
from Fifteenth street between New
York and Pennsylvania avenues, from
Pennsylvania avenue between Four
teenth and Fifteenth streets and from
New York avenue between Fourteenth
and Fifteenth streets. The abandon
ment Of this trackage was proposed
in connection with study Of condi-
tions at Fifteenth and New York
avenue.
Would Require Some Ground.
To accomplish this readjustment,
the expert told the commission, 1t
seems inevitable that the tracks
which now end on G street at Fiji.
teenth would be connected by a diago-
nal extension with the tracks running
west on Pennsylvaia avenue from
that point. Such an extension would
involve a slight encroachment on the
northeast corner Of the Treasury
grounds, and for that reason the pro.
posal will be referred to the Fine Arts
Commission for advice.
It was explained that the tracks
on Pennsylvania avenue would turn
into Fourteenth street. under the plan
to eliminate the rails on the avenue
between Fourteenth and Fifteenth
streets.
Conditions at Fifteenth street and
New York avenue and the question
of providing adequate transportation
for the group of new Federal build
ings in the triangle were character
ized by Mr.. Mills as the two most
important problems, to which intensive
study must be given Immediately.
Additional Facilities Needed.
AS to the triangle, there are al
ready car lines running through ii
on Fourteenth and Seventh streets,
but the commission is considering
several alternate proposals for addi.
tional facilities into that area from
the west. These alternate proposals
are still in a very tentative stage of
consideration.
1T has long been recognized" Mr..
Mills told the planning commission,
that the unification of service is es.
sential to efficient and economical 'op-
Grafton, and therefore the prelimi-
nary transit plan for Washington is
based upon unification of service.
Two plans have been evolved. One,
for the ultimate adjustment of exist.
ing lines, which will be susceptible of
expansion to meet future require
ments, and an intermediate plan,
which involves primarily a consolida-
ton and rerouting of lines in accord.
ance with the final plan.
Makes 22 Turns.
Numerous improvements could be
effected Immediately by simplifying
the routings, which would necessitate
some slight adjustments in the track
plan.
1T has further been the aim in the
rerouting plan to eliminate many un-
necessary turns in the different lines.
For example, 1t was found that one
existing line makes % turns in a dis.
tance of approximately six miles,
while another has eight turns in less
than one mile. At present there are
approximately $40 right and $50 left
turns made on the different lines in
round trip. The rerouting plan would
eliminate 132 right and Isl left turns.
In addition to the elimination of
turns, the length of many of the lines
would be shortened by more direct
routing"
The committee appointed by the
commission to make careful analysis
of the recommendation of Mr.. Mills
will consist of Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant,
Sd, executive officer of the commits
sion: Milton B. Medary and Engineer
Commissioner Ladue. It is probable
that as the committee proceeds with
its study Of the report it will make
public more of the detailed sugges-
tions for rerouting of lines.
Vote to Buy Small Area.
The commission yesterday after.
noon voted to acquire a small area of
ground in the lower part of Foundry
Branch, which will go toward form.
ing connection between the Glover.
Archbold Parkway and Canal road.
The commission also decided to buy
small area at Bald Eagle Hill at
the extreme southeast corner of the
District. from which a commanding
view of the river is possible.
The commission engaged in an in
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