Evening star., 1934-07-31
Subways Are Required to Solve
Washington's Traffic Problems
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
The site upon which the Nationa
Capital is located was selected By
George Washington. At first 1t wa;
called the Federal City" but subse-
quently named Washington" in honor
of its founder. He, personally, laic
the corner stone of the Capitol in
1898, and chose the place where the
White House was erected.
Maj. Pierre Charles L'Enfant, q
French engineer, was commissioned
to make plans for laying out the city
Due to political agitation, the task
was later delegated to Andrew Ellicott
The general outline of the city as
found today, nevertheless, conforms
largely to the ideas propounded by
L'Enfant.
The National Capital remained in
a state of lethargy for many years
It's development dates from the Civil
War, when they decided the city was
worth fighting for. The conflict
brought a large number Of people tc
Washington. Afterwards progreS;
was retarded due to the reconstruc-
ton period. The World War banisheo
regional animosity.
Washington has become a center
Of national and international impor-
tance. The development of the Fed
eral triangle group in the Mall anc
concentration Of Government activi,
ties in an area adjacent to the busi-
ness. financial, shopping and theatri'
cal sections Of the city has further
complicated traffic problems Sup.
plementing the intricate traffic regu.
lations, the signal-hght controls have
been extended, and there are rumor.
about staggering the hours.
The construction of a subway sys.
TEN would simplify the traffic Situa,
ton. The main arteries of traffic
could be developed at first, and grad
ually extended to suburban centerS
| including Alexandria. The moderr
articulated trains could be used mad,
of aluminium with rubberized truck
to eliminate noise and conditioned
during the Summer. Buses could bt
used for traffic that would not warran
the expenditure. With express Serv
ice, it would be possible to go from
Chevy Chase Circle to the Fedora
triangle group in ten minutes. Thl
trolley system could eventually be dis.
carded, and become as antiquated a.
the old time horse-car and unsightl,
telegraph pole. The same personre
could be used to operate it. This in
novation would leave the street avail
able for automobiles and trucks, ant
j tend TO increase automobile sales
The subway stations should be located
on the sidewalk, which would reduct
accidents, as the average motoriSt hal
little regard for the pedestrian.
Some difficult engineering problem!
would be encountered in constructing
a subway system, as portions of Wash.
| ington are below sea level There is
however, an underground" in London
England, built under similar condi
tons. The major obstacle relative Il
the project would be the financial one
Undoubtedly. it would be necessary
for the Federal Government. through
the Public Works Administration L
advance funds; or construct and leas'
the system to the Capital Transit Co
for operation with an agreement
whereby that organization woulC
amortize the debt and later take pos.
session Of it. The terms could b
computed at Q low rate to be de.
termined by financial experts. Thi
expenditure woud beneft labor anS
industry in many parts Of the countr!
in providing the essential materia
and equipment, and alleviate unem.
! ployment here. AS the amount woulC