Evening star., 1937-03-10
SUBWAYS URGED
FORD. c. |NREPORT
Capitalization of Federal
Buildings Cited by Trade
Board Group.

efficient method to relieve tref1c con-
ditions in Washington's congested
areas is through the construction of
subways the board of directors of the
Washington Board Of Trade was told
today by that organizations Special
Committee on Subways for the Dis
trict,
The comprehensive report Of the
committee was submitted after q study
OF existing and protected subway sys-
TENS in Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia, Chicago and San Francisco.
After indorsing the ultimate de-
STABILITY of subways here, the COM
mittee urged the directors to approve
and support a bill introduced last
year by Chairman Norton of the
House District Committee to appro-
pirate money to investigate the SUBJ
way question here.
Pointing out that the July, /, 1896,
estimate Of the Census Bureau fixed
the population of Washington at
$4,000, an increase of 2,13l during
the last year, the report added:
With over 10000 children in the
public schools and over 100000 Gov
ernment employees requiring trans
portation within narrow limits of time,
there is an ever-increasing demand for
better and speedier mass transporta-
ton facilities. For it must be ap-
parent that Washington has almost
overnight become the center Of q
great metropolitan area.
Local Loop District.
Like other great cities, Washing
ton has its loop district, to and from
which rapid transit is becoming in
creasingly necessary.
While L'Enfant wisely planned a
city with wide avenues radiating
from the Capitol, he could not have
foreseen that in future years most
OF the business and practically all Of
the Governments work would be
concentrated in the small areas now
being occupied This concentration
Is largely due to the Federal Gov
ernment's policy of locating, under its
public building policy of the last 10
years, most of the great structures
housing the thousands Of its en-
ployes in the so-called triangle be-
tween Constitution and Pennsylvania
avenues and east Of Fourteenth street,
ITO reach their places of work,
therefore, tens of thousands OF en-
ployes, living mostly in the north
west. are required to cross Pennsyl-
yania avenue Another great area
west of Eighteenth street and north
of Constitution avenue already oc-
cupied by the old and new Interior
Department and the Public Health
Buildings, with the monumental struc-
lures for the Army, Navy and social
security in contemplation, will be
created, giving rise to problems OF
congestion similar to those now being
experienced in the triangle.
Subways Ultimate Need.
while rerouting of existing sur
face traction lines and addition OF
buses may afford temporary relief,
ultimately the best and most eff
cient method to relieve congestion
in both these areas as we'll as in
the downtown business section is
through the construction OF sub
ways"
The committee took strong stand
in opposition to the construction Of
elevated lines in Washington, the re-
port stating: The persistent purpose
of our citizens to protect our main
streets and avenues from distractions
of all kinds for reasons of cleanliness,
beauty and safety will not permit such
nose and CRIME reproducing facilities"
It was pointed out New York City
has decided to build no more elevated
lines.
The great expense Of subways, the
report continued, can only be justified
if relief is provided from a con-
gestion that seriously impairs the
business and value Of property Of
citizens, causes waste Of time and in
creases danger to life and limb.
In Washington, it was pointed out
conditions permit the construction Of
"cut and cover" subways instead Of
the usually more important tunnel
method. Under the cut and cover
method adaptable here, sub-surface
utilities such as water, steam and
electric power mains, telephone con-
duits, etc., would be restored and 10
cated~ in the space between the sub
way roof and the street surface. This,
however, would not apply generally to
sewers, which, the report said,
should be located outside the subway
prism along the curbs." Because Of
the danger of explosions, it added, gas
mains also should be located outside
the prism.
Roberts and Meyer Plans.
The committee then discussed the
two plans proposed for Washington
that advanced by W. A. Roberts
former peoples counsel, and the plan
Of Col. G. E. Meyer, consulting engi-
neer of Philadelphia. The report SIM
ply reviewed the plans without approv-
ing either one.
The attitude of the Public Utilities
Commission, which has opposed sub
ways at this time, also was discussed.
The principal objection of the COM
mission to present construction of sub
ways that would serve useful purpose
Is their great cost and the fact that
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