Evening star., 1935-06-24
SUITS CONSIDERED
TO CLEAR ROUTE
Maryland to Begin Action
e Over New Hampshire
Avenue Span.

Condemnation proceedings against
property owners in Maryland whose
farm lands block the right of way Of
the new New Hampshire Avenue
Bridge at Chillum Heights are con-
templated in the near future by the
State, it was learned today from
Nathan L. Smith, chief engineer of the
Maryland State Roads Commission.
On Saturday, with elaborate cere-
mony, the new bridge spanning the
Baltimore g. Ohio tracks at Chillum
Heights was opened for contemplated
trafic to Baltimore, but any CONNER
cial traffic that went out that way
this morning found progress blocked
by a 12-foot clay bank on the Mary
land side of the bridge.
While Maryland has the money ap-
propriated for opening the new high
way to Baltimore, a highway designed
to cut down trafflc on the Baltimore
pike, according to Engineer Smith,
certain farm land owners Of the Chill
lum Heights sector ARE holding their
acreage at prices that would apply to
land down on Pennsylvania avenue"
Farm Owners Accused.
It is understood that some II
to Is farm owners are blocking
the right of way into Maryland-and
that one man alone is holding his
farm property at $4,000 an acre.
Engineer Smith said today he hopes
to get the condemnation proceedings
under way in about two months. 1t
would then take many more months to
cut the road through to College Park,
Md, where it will join with the Balti-
more pike.
1.-THE contract has not been awarded
for this work." Mr.. Smith said, "be-
cause we have not been able to get
the right of way"
When the barriers on the other side
of the new bridge are removed the
new road out of Washington will
shorten the route to Baltimore by 4
miles, it is said.
At the dedication ceremonies and
official opening on Saturday the new
bridge over Upper New Hampshire
avenue was decorated with flags and
bunting. A new idea in super
structure was imposed when aluminium
side rails were uncovered instead Of
the customary iron or steel. Also a
novel road bed of sand, clay and
calcium chloride was used instead OF
concrete or cement.
Lights Turned On.
Last night the bridge was fully
Illuminated.
A program sponsored by Cyrus T..
Bright, chairman Of the Dedication
Committee, marked the formal open
ing of the bridge. The States Of
Maryland and New Hampshire were
officially represented. Hon. George II.
Duncan, representing the New Eng
land State, spoke briefly. An address
was also delivered by Melvin G. Hazen.
president of the Board Of District
Commissioners. DR.. Llewellyn Jordon
represented the washington Board Of
Trade. Invocation was pronounced by
Rev. r. ]. Bohannan, D. D., Harrison
M. Dixon was master Of ceremonies.
Music was played by the Elks Boys
Band. Thomas w. Joy, president of
the Chillum Heights Citizens Associa-
ton, delivered the address of well
come. A short talk was made by
United States Commissioner Needham
G. Turnage. The cutting Of the rib
bon, an impressive ceremony, was per-
formed by two girls and two boys
the Misses Farrell and Mills and
Masters Joy and O'Malley. Charles
c. Langley, with Commissioner Hazen,
led the procession that marked the
official opening of the bridge.
Many Honored Guests.
Guests of honor at the ceremony
were: Lyster Fl. Dewey, president of
the Petworth Citizens Association;
Fred A. Emery, District of Columbia
civic worker; George v. Graham,
chairman Streets and Avenues Com
nittee, the Board of Trade; Walter
Trey, president of the Takoma Park
Citizens Association; T. j. Llewellyn,
Federation of Citizens Association;
w. c. Magathan, Takoma Park Citi-
zens' Association; w. A. Mellon, Mary
land civic worker; e. H. Pullam,
president Manor Park Citizens As
sociation; Charles w. Ray, president
Brightwood Citizens Association; Mrs.
j. Enos Ray, Maryland Federation Of
Women's Clubs, and James @. Yaden,
president Federation Of Citizens As
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