Evening Star Newspaper, March 28, 1926, Page 4

4 WHY ALL FORCES ARE ARRAYED AGAINST BELT LINE RAILWAY Briefs Filed With Senate Subcommittee Reveal Menace to D. C., Maryland and Virginia. Approval of the proposed project for building a raflroad bridge across the Potomac River above Chain Bridge by Congress would be a de- Hvery to the Washington and Lough- borcugh Belt Line and Terminal Co. of an asset which it could sell or lease, something tangible which it does not now have, it was charged in sub stance in a brief flled with the sub- committee on bridges of the Senate committee on commerce yesterday by the Montgomery County Civie Fed- eration on behalf of that body, which owes its being to the united uprising of an alarmed citizenry at the first showing of the proposed project. All other interests arrayed in the fight against the belt line were represented she brief, which is typical of all d ¥.2 Property at Stake. The vast property interests that are threatened by the proposed project w brought strikingly to the committee attention In the brief, when it said that the property valuation of Mont gomery and Prince Georges Counties now reach the staggering figure of more than $100,000,000. With the great development plans for the county, the stride which it is beginning to take in absorbing the overflow of residents from the Capital City in the regional development scheme, it was pointed out, will, in a short time, make the property valuation increase another Arlington County, Vir- aluations are approximately $78.000,000 and this likewise {s ex- pected to doudble in the next few vears. Project Called Speculative. “From its Investigation of the cir- cumstances under w has been introduced in Congress and the attempts which the federation has made to determine an actual need for the belt line,” said the brief, “the fed- fon is convinced that the entire project is utterly without merit; that no need whatever has been established for it, and that the interest of the Washington and Loughborough Belt Line and Terminal Co. is purely spec- ulative in character. It is to be noted that under the terms of the bill the rights conferred by the measure are given not only to the Washington and Loughborough Belt Line and Termina Co., but to its ‘successors and assign If the measure be approved the com- pany, if a purchaser or lessee could be found, could sell or lease the rights which it would receive free from Con- gr t is true that a charter was se- cured by the Loughborough Co. from the Vi a Public Service Commis- sion, but is also true that no hear- ing on the merits of the measure was given by the Virginia authorities to the proper owners in opposition. “'As has already been seen, no action ‘was taken by the Public Service Com- mission of Maryland, but the Lough borough company, as soon as tremen- dous opposition in Maryland to the project was developed, promptly with- drew its petition and now seeks Fed- eral aid in imposing upon the people of the State of Maryland, without their consent, a freight belt line rail- road, which will resuit in such tre- mendous, damage, not only to the Maryland property invoived, but to the future growth and expansion of the Nation's Capital City. Summary of Petition. “Summarizing its petition, the Montgomery County Clvic Federation is opposed to the passage of 8. 2796 and H. R. 7823, because “l. From a transportation stand- point, there is absoluteiy no necessity whatever for such a freight belt line around the ecity of Washington. “2, There is united local opposition to the project in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, both from the standpoint of property dam age direct and indirect and from the purely civic standpoint. “3. The object of the proponents of the measure in seeking Federal action at this time Is to secure the powerful ald of the Federal Govermment in forcing upon the States of Maryland and Virginia a belt line which is not needed and which the people of those States do not want.”" Property of Company. ‘The Washington and Lough- borough Belt Line and Terminal Co.,”" the brief went on, “is not an operat ing company and owns no raiiroad belt lisrs or terminal, nor, so far as known to the federation, has it any interest in any rallroad, beit line or terminal. Its property at the present time consists of a Virginia franchise which was granted without hearing protests, and an interest or contro. through the Loughborough Deveiop ment Co. of an undeveloped tract ot l&nd of several hundred acres, partly i8 Maryland and partly in the Dis. trict of Columbla, “Were the pending measure to be nassed a Federal franchise would be given to the company and added to its property above set forth. “The Montgomery County Clvic Federation is an organization includ- ing in its membership delegates from 22 municipalities and community or- ganization throughout Montgomery County, Md. “From a transportation standpoint, there is absolutely no necessity what. ever for such a freight belt line wround the Clty of Washington. “Radlroads entering Washington are opposed to the project and state there i8 no necessity for the belt line from a transportation standpoint. “In an effort to determine the necessity, if any, which exists from a transportation standpoint for the proposed belt line, the federation has elicited the views of the several rail- road systems entering Washington, with the resut that in no case has any need whatever for the beit line been disclosed. Pennsylvania’s Position. “On the contrary, Mr. Samuel Rea then president of the Pennsylvania gnzlslrmld System, wrote August 25, “‘From the standpoint of the Pennsylvania Rallroad System there is ‘no necessity now, or so far as one can see in the future, for the construction of an additional line of transportation between the Southern Rallroads and those running north of Washington. “‘For the purpose of securing the best route for all of the railroads interchanging at the Potomac River, the Richmond-Washington Company was formed some 25 years ago and quired control of the line between the south end of Long Bridge and Richmord, Va., and through this Richmond-Washington Co., (which 5 owned in equal portions by the six important railroads, B. & O. and Pennsylvania on the north and the Southern Railway, Atlantic Coast Lipe, C. & O. and Seaboard on the south)—the line between W ing- ton and Richmond was reconstructed und made a first class double track raflroad, 2nd the large Potomac Yard for interchange of traffic was bullt hetween the Long Bridge and Alex- andria, which has ample provision ior future enlargement.’ “‘These views are confirmed by Mr. Atterbury, now president, in a letter, a copy of which was filed. Attitude of the B. & 0. “Similarly, Mr. Dantel Willard, preeident of the B. & O. Railroad Co., writes: We bellsve that the Dbusiness hich this measure | passing through Washington as a gateway and which might be expected to move over such @ belt line if con- structed, s belng promptly and effi- | clently handled at the present time with existing facilitles, and I per- sonally know that not only are the facilities at Potomac Yard ample for all present requirements, but a very considerable amount of land has re- ently been purchased in order to pro- vide for any possible eniargements that may be necessary as time goes on. It naturally follows from what I have sald above that I do not con- sder the proposed new line necessary or in the public interest, and I should hope that permission would not be granted for its construction.’ “Eppa Hunten, jr., president of the Riohmond, Fredericksburg and Po- tomae Rallroad Co., writes: “It {s my very distinct judgment that no such necessity exists at pres- ent, or will develop in the future, fnasmuch as the ability of this com- any to handle expeditiously all fle now offered, as well as its finanelal ability to provide increased es in the future, completely sfeguards the present and future rtation nee and contrs in effect with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio, and which have been in full force for many years, assure us adeduate freight faclitles in the city of Wash- ington.' In the face of such statements from the presidents of these railroads the federation is convinced and, there- | fore, suggests to the committee that there 18 no necessity or occasion whatever from a railroad standpoint for the belt line. Attitude of Shippers. “In an effort to determine the need, it any, for the proposed belt line, the federation has sought information | trom shippers using the present facil- ities. B. H. Knobel, president of B H. Knobel, Inc., 945 Pennsylania ave- | nue northwest, this city, wholesale | fruits and produce, handling car lots only, writes in behalf of his company and other concerns engaged in the wholesale fruit and vegetable busine: in the aggregate, representing at I 75 per cent and possibly up to 83 cent or 80 per cent of the total move. ment of perishables through Washin ton, strenuously protesting asainst the proposed belt line. ) “Mr. Knobel's letter is signed, in | aqdition to himself. by the following: | W. 1. Harrison Co., Inc.; Robert L. Anderson Uo., Leventhal & Oxenburg, C. E. Nichols, William E. Edwards, Premier Brokerage U ¥. J. David- son, Jr. & Co., Leventhal & Oxenburg, change, Edgerton & Beers, American Fruit Growers, Inc.; Clowe & Davis, Inc.; B. M. Knobel, Inc. ir. Knobel says: 3 ‘Our opposition is based primarily on the ahsolute lack of any necessity for additional facilities. Secondly, we oppose this project, as it would have a tendency to urb existing condi- tions whicp at present are highly satisfactory to all parties at interest. Third, we oppose the proposed -ex- penditure of public funds as being unnecessary and without the warrant of public necessity, or either private | or public need for additional facilities to those already estabiished and at present functioning. “*To sum the whole matter up, the existing facilities have never been called upon to function 100 per cent of thelr capacity. They have always had something in reserve, whether it be trackage space in the yards, engine power or man power. Shippers and receivers are satisfled with the service, and we, who are vitally inter- ested, representing as we do the principals who have their money in- vested in these - perishable products, can see neither sense nor reason in a duplication of the present facilities, and we wish to place ourselves very emphatically on record as being op- posed to the establishment of either the belt line or the terminal, as at present applied for.’ “On March 24 last the Washington branch of the National League of Com- mission Merchants of the United States adopted a resolution protest- ing against the passage of the bill and pointing out that the present fa- cilities are adequate. This resolution is now before the committee, having been transmitted on the same date to Senator Jones by the general manager and secretary of the league.” No Necessity Whatever. There was also filed with the com- mittee a memorandum prepared by W. W. Bowie, representing all of the raflroads which bring freight into Washington through the Potomac yards.. Mr. Bowie demonstrates that there is no necessity whatever for any additfonal facilities for freight move- ment, and says that any necessity or advantage from its construction is un- thinkable. Continuing, the brief says: “In spite of the most diligent investiga- tion by the federation, it has been impossible to obtain & shred of evi- dence that there is any need what- evér for the belt line from a trans- portation, railroad or shippers’ stand- point, from any responsible source whatever. In the absence of some positive showing on this point, the federation feels confident that the committee, finding no need for the construction, will not do otherwise than report the measure unfavorably. United Local Opposition. “There is united local opposition to the project in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, both from the standpoint of property damage direct and indirect and from the pure- ly civic standpoint. It would be fatal to the interests of the Nation's Capi- tal and a face-about in the plans for the city's development. “The Nation is proud of its Capital City. It is the one city to which all Americans travel. They are proud of its beautles and are pleased that it is taking its place among the world’s capitals. Large numbers of people are being attracted to it as a place of residence and the Nation at large is earnestly interested in its growth nlong the lines of civic beauty. Con- gress, tos aas been liberal in its ap- propriatewns to make the city the most beautiful in America. Beautiful build- ings, splendid parks, wide vistas—all go to make the city attractive to the eye and a pleasant place in which to live. ‘ongress would never permit a new railroad to be built within the confines of the District of Columbia. The proposed belt line, then, is an attempt to do by indirection what Congress would never in the world permit to be done outright. It is un thinkable. With all the attendant and serious detractions of a belt line, the home of Congress would be dealt a serious blow, the hundreds of millions of dollars already spent here would be greatly depreciated in_value, and the whole plan to make Washington a residential city, worked out for over one hundred years, would be dealt a serious biow. Should Protect Capital. “To locate such a belt line across the imaginary line only a few fee! into Maryland, would bring the same resuits to Washington as though it ‘were actually located there. It is felt that this situation should be well anc seriously considered, and Congress should protect the interests of thc Nation at large in the Nation's Capi Ghl from the alps of certaln people [ metropolitan districts 1926—PART 1. surrounding i the City of Washington; and HARR(S - EWING Upper, left to right: J. Bond Smith, representing Montgomery County Civic Federation; Edward F. Colladay, rep- resenting Washington Board of Tra Lower, left to resenting Arlington County Citizen: whose only interest is a financial one “It is not fair to force this menace upon the citizens of Maryland with- out their consent and in the face of their unanimous opposition. They have built their homes and their ch dren are being reared there. We are sure that Congress will not go out of its way to destroy these homes built by the savings of our citizens in order to help plans of a few promoters and in the face of a complete lack of necessity for such a belt line and ter- minal. Sees Evils to District. “It would not be fair to the District of Columbia for it would not only bring these evils to their very doors but would require heavy hauling to and from the terminals through the very heart of the most beautiful resi- dential section in Washington. 1In all probability this hauling would be done m the terminals directly chusetts avenue north- st line from the termi- proper, menacing this wonderful new development with its fine homes and passing the new ca- thedral at St. Alban's, of which the city and Nation is proud and which it is hoped to make the Nation's valhalla. The whole of Wisconsin and Massa- chusetts Avenue Heights section would be made vastly less attractive and less valuable if these heavy truck- ing movements, the inevitable and necessary results of freight terminals, are permitted. “The Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Chamber of Commerce are both opposed to the measure and have adopted resolutions which have been flled with the com- mittee. Civic Standpoint. “From a purely civic standpoint the project is indefensible. Through- out Arlington and Fairfax countles in Virginia, all of Montgomery County, Md., and those sections of Prince Georges County, Md., con- tiguous to the proposed belt line, wave after wave of indignation has swept the people who have invested their all in homes bordering on the District of Columbia and who have ploneered in the greater Washington development movement. “It is in these suburbs that Wash- ington will grow, official figures indi- cating that the District of Columbia is at present 85 per cent improved. The future growth of the capital by necessity must be in nearby Virginla and Maryland. Strikes Home Makers. “Tens of thousands of people have gone ahead of the march of popula- tion, created beautiful homes ardl struggled bitterly through the years in many instances, to establish the hearthstones—all the while confident in their beilef that their investments would be secure, never to be endan- gered by unsightly industrial growths. It is these seitlements, now fast being unified and brought to- gether by millions of dollars’ worth of additional residential development, that will form through the coming years the very heart of residential Washington. It is fioped to make it the most beautiful capital in the world through the years and so main- tain it. A belt line railroad can not but hinder. In Arlington County. “In Arlington County alone the assessed valuation on property, coupled with mineral rights, is placed at $17,000,000, three-fourths of this being residential in character. Offi- clals declare that the present tax valuations are but one-fourth of the total real value. Conservatively, it is estimated that in this Virginia county alone $68,000,000 worth of established property is hazarded and menaced by the belt line proposay by virtue of the charter inadvertently granted ex parte to the Washington. Loughborough Co. by the Virginia Corporation Commission _ without hearing property holders. This char- ter would permit the belt line to fol- low its own routes, with full right of condemnation in any direction. Dur- fng the past three years Arlington County development has quedrupled and plans calling for future develop- ment give every promise of attracting untold numbers new property holders and the investment of mil- lions of dollars. “That the danger to the present established values and future develop- ment is a real one and that the action of the Virginia Corporation Commis- sion in no wise reflects the viewpoint of the citizens of those territories to be most affected by the proposed belt line construction is indicated by the action of the Greater Arlington County committee, appointed to pro- tect the best interests of the county in development projects, in condemn- ing the venture. Appeal to Maryland. «THat the people of Virginia have been intent on defeating the project despite the action of their public service commission is best demon- strated by the concerted appeals made to the Public Service Commission of Maryland, a governmerital agency without their own State—asking that this organization by denial of charter, assist Virginia property holders. The Maryland Service Commission, realiz- ing the necessity of heafing the pub- ' 3 contentions before any charter vas granted within that State, agreed to consider the Virginia petitions on| the same basis as those received from within Maryland. “Instantly the plans for the pro- posed belt line were announced, the citizens of Montgomery County and Prince yrges County in Maryland began a concerted drive against the proposition. Montgomery Opposition. ounty officials of Montgomery County, Md., lying to the north, west and_northwest of the District of Co- lumbla, estimate that the value of the residential property Immediately af- fected by the proposed belt line is in the neighborhood of $100,000,000 Within another 5 to 10 years, with the greater trends of population pressing into the county, it is believed by offi- clals that another $100,00,000 will be added to the assessed property valua- tions in those territories adjacent to the District of Columbia and thereby form the very heart of Washington's northern suburban area. “In_ addition to the residential growth in this area It is fast becoming a focal point for educational institu- tions of the Nationzi Capital which desire grounds ampie for large build- ings and large campuses. Among the educational institutions already lo- cated in the are: generally affected by the proposed belt line is the Chevy Chase Seminary, Georgetown Prepara- tory School, Natlonal Park Seminary and a number of smaller institutions. In Montgomery County, Md., also lies Washington's chief country clubs, among these being the Congressional, Chevy Chase, Burning Tree, Colum: bia, Manor, Bannockburn, Indian Spring, Montgomery and Argyle. These institutions alone represent in vestments of many milllons of dollars, the future of which woyld be left to the caprices of the bullders of any belt line about the Capital. It safely may be argued further that a beit line raliroad llkewise might prevent fur- ther expansion of educational institu- tions within short distances of the National Capital, a requisite factor to their success. “‘Montgomery County, Md., which will be an essential unit in exten- sion of Greater Washington regional development plans, has shown greater and more substantial residential growth than any other suburb of Washington, and officials of the count who, if the county were to profit by a belt line venture, might be expected to lend encouragement, have gone on record against the proj- ect. A resolution passed by the board of county commissioners, the county's governing body, addressed to the Maryland Public Service Commission, urges refusal of the company's peti- tion for charter. Sentiment Revealed. “The sentiment of the citizens of Montgomery County, who have held mass meetings and acted through es- tablished citizens organizations, may be gained from the context of resolu- tioms passed and forwarded to the Mdryland Public Service Commission. Among these is that authorized at a mass meeting held under the auspices of the Bradley Hills Community League and attended by 400 of the most prominent people residing in ter- ritorles adjacent to the District of Columbia. Proponents of the belt line were heard and after opponents had registered vigorous objections, this mass meeting appoinfed a committee of representative citizéns to petition the Maryland Public Service Commis- slon. This petition representing the sense of this meeting follows: “‘A mas meeting of citizens ahd taxpayers of Montgomery County was held on Friday, August 7, 1925, de; Charles J. Columbus, representing Merchants and Manufacturers’ Assoclation. right: A. E. Seymour, representing Washington Chamber of Commerce; Charles F. Frederic McKenney. Kincheloe, rep- at the Montgomery Country -Club, Bethesda, Md., under the auspices of the 'Bradley Hills Comunity League for the purpose of determining the sentiment of the community relative to the proposed freight rail- road known s the W. & L. Belt Line and Termi Co. “‘The meeting W 400 representative citl were present. The Belt Line interests were represented by Admiral Austin M. Knight, W. Edgar Leedy and their engineers. Mr. Leedy explained the proposition in detail and presented the views of the railroad adherence at length. A volley of questions was asked hy various persons present, and a num- ber of addresses on the subject were made by representative citizens. Full Ccsideration Given. “'After full consideration of the subject the following authorized resolution is hereby submitted: ““Whereas a petition has been filed with the Public Service Commission of Maryland seeking authority to construct and operate a raflroad through the parks of Montgomery And Prince George Counties ad- Jacent to the District of Columbia; and * ‘Whereag route and large; about zens by count in sald petition the location of the proposed railroad is not clearly and exactly defined, but. on the other hand, is extremely vague and - highly in- definite; and * ‘Whereas, if granted, the asked-for license would empower this corpo tion to locate its right of way # an undefined route not set out in its petition for charter, but is subject to revision based upon more detafled studles and surveys which have not vet been completed, and, apparently cloaked to mask the plans of the in- corporators; and *‘Whereas, the sald license would enable the said corporation or its substdiaries or assoclates to acquire additional ground for enterprises such as warehouses, stockyards, fertilizer and chemical plants, and for other objectionable industrial projects; and “‘Whereas, it is the expressed pur- pose of the said corporation to in- corporate and promote the location in these counties of plants and activities detrimental to the character of these entire residential districts: and Project Held Injurious. ‘ ‘Whereas, the authority sought by these promoters is limitless in its scope, and, if granted, would permit them to locate by condemnation any kind of industrial establishment or establishments in districts which are now exclusively residential and in the direct line where many millions of dollars have already been expended by taxpayers for homes for themselves and families, and the values of these properties, it is belleved by their owners, would be seriously depreciated by hte location of such.a highly - Jurious project in their vicinities; and, together with its uncertainty of loc: tion and character, would give oppor- tunity for the manipulation of real estate values to the detriment of the values of these homes. Such proj- ects, it is belleved, would bring into our now strictly residential districts a floating and allen class of undesira- bles and would paralyse the develop- ment of the home districts which are now hoth credits and assets to the State of Maryland and to the Nationa® Capital; and “*Whereas the District of Colum- bia is now zoned, as the petition for charter itself declares, against the very kind of development which these promoters propose to force upon the State of Maryland and the The terms of Morris Plan Loans are simple and practical and fair—it is not necessary to have had an to borrow. For each $50 or! fractionborrowed you a‘uc 20 de- it $1 per week an Account, account at this Bank Loans are pass- ed within a day or two after. {flllnl :ff'llut on— ith few escep- tions. MORRIS PLAN notes are usually for 1 year, rhou!h they may be given for anx of from 10 12 months. MORRIS PLAN BANK Under Supervision U. S. Treasury - 1408 H Street N. W. ““Character and Earning Power Are the Basis of Credit” Damage to Capital. “‘Whereas the Nation's Capital, the pride of the Nation itself, i8 pow- erless to prevent this encroachment and encirclement by enterprises which they forbade In their own midst unless the petition of these promoters is refused, the District of Columbia, originally ceded by the State of Maryland for the Nation's Japital, and which has been wonder- fully developed as such, cannot help itself. Its future rests in your hands. Unless this petition for rigift to operate under charters is denled, it will bring down upon our State a nation-wide and deserved condemna- tion. Our Goverpor has placed the State of Maryland on record as four- square behind the plan to develop the parking system of our Common- wealth. If his pledge is to be carried out and the honor of the State of Maryland is to remain unsullied, we must not permit his pledge to be broken and the Natlon's Capital to be serlously injured. The Montgomery County Civie Federation which filed the brief rep- resenting 22 of the largest commu- nity organizations skirting the Dis- trict of Columbia, and which would be vitally affected by the belt line railroad project, at its latest meet- ing passed a resolution of censure, a copy of which was filed. Typical Resolution. The brief included a number of res- olutions adopted by various civic and official bodles of Montgomery County protesting the proposed belt line, typical of which is the one adopted by the town of Somerset, which follows: “The mayor and council of the town of Somerset, Montgomery Coun- ty, Md., and the undersigned tax- payers and citizens of the same, here- by protest against the issuance of an order permitting and approving the exercise by the Washington and Loughborough Belt Line and Term- inal Co. of its alleged franchises, rights und privileges; and in support | of such protest it calls the attention{ of your commission to the following facts: “"Somerset is an fncorporated town extending from Wisconsin avenue to the River road east of the branch line of the Baltimore and Ohio Rallroad. The southwest corner of the town is adjacent to the present Loughborough development and the entire western boundary of the town, and much of the southern boundary of the town are contiguous to territory which wili be used in the proposed development. It is even possible that the proponents of this development contemplate the extension of the development within the town limits. “The town of Somerset is strictly a residential development. The town has now, and long has had in force, an ordinance prohibiting the conduct of any business within the town. Nearly all the residents of the town own their homes and have recently been to heavy expense in the improvement of their streets and in the laying of new water mains and sewers. The region is one of great natural beauty, with good passenger transportation facili- ties, and is rapidly growing. The sur- rounding area, which includes the towns of Chevy Chase, Friendship, Drummond, Bradley Hills, Deland and Edgemoor, is quite extensively devel- oped as residential communities, and it is inevitable that the development of an extensjve commercial center at Loughborough and the building of an additionn] raflroad will work serious and irreparable Injury to your peti- tioners and to all other home owners in the same region. Not Industrial Area. “Contrary to the statement made in the petition filed on behalf of the Washington and Loughborough Belt Line and Terminal Co., virtually no part of the region to be traversed by the proposed railroad is of an indus- trial character. At Loughborough there are a few oil storage tanks and a small quarry. These are amply served by the existing Baltimore and Ohfo Rallroad branch. At Bethesda and at Chevy Chase there are small coal yards and yards connected with the building supply industry. These are adequate for local purposes and are adequately served by the Ralti- more and Ohlo Railroad. There is no existing demand for additional facili- ties, and those offered by the Balti- more and Ohio Rallroad are ample for any probable future development and are capable of extensjon if the need shall arise. ““‘There is being started a much- needed plan to unify and co-ordinate the development of that area in Mary- land which is contiguous to the Dis- trict of Columbia. This involves a recognition of the fact that the region is residential in character and that its harmonious development {s im- portant. The fact that the District of Columbia does not tolerate,develop- ments such as are proposed in the petition of the Washington and Yet, It Is Proposed to Mar in the world. The government bufldings of I Parllament, are massive, but uninsp! on remarkable landscaping, rather ‘Washington is a national city. Loughborough Belt Line and Terminal Co. is set forth in that petition. We submit that it is not just nor equitable to permit Washington interests to impose on an important residential | area in Maryland those types of de- velopment which are so objectionable that they are forbidden in the Dis- | trict of Columbia. To pérmit this is | to convert a growing suburban resi- | dential development into a freight | yard for the convenience of ington." There were also filed expressions | from The Washington Star, which | has made a study of belt line sys | tems in other cities and in which the | menace of such systems was brought | graphically before the committee. Arlington County's Plea. | Hovering like a tornado’s blast over the great plans for the development of Arlington County, Va., ready 1o | strike down beautification plans for | a part of the metropolitan area of the Capital City across the river at a time when such projects as the | Arlington Memorial Brid boulevard and such are com being in connection with the s s | the picture sought to be left with | the commission by R. E. Plymale on behalf of the citizens of Arlington | County. This belt line, as an institu- | tion, will furnish an insurmountabl obstacle to the plans on which thou- sands of citizens have hung their | faith and their life earnings in the movement for the growth of the | county &s & link in the regional de- velopment scheme of the National Capital. The brief said: “There is clearly no need of any such rallroad as this, as is shown by letters from executive heads of the | principal_ralroads running into and tnrough Washington, copies of which letters are appended and made a part | Lereof, the brief says, “The proposi tion therefore seems to be purely a | speculative piiject, which view is supported by thy. fact that the com pany or people interested in the pro- | posed bridge and road are understood | to be interested in several hundred acres of land just outside of the Dis- trict of Columbia, between Tenley- | town and Glen Echo, which it is de sired to exploit for industrial enter- prises, and through which the pro- posed so-called belt line road is plan- ned to run. “During the Fall of last year, 1925, the representatives of the sald Wash- ington and Loughborough Belt L and Terminal Co., started in to try to create sentiment in favor of the proposed road by addressing civic as- soclations and other meetin citi- zens of Montgomery Count . and Arlington County, Va.; but the opposi- tion to the road in both counties was S0 unanimous and insistent that the representatives of the company dis- continued their efforts along that line, tailing in several instances to appear at meetings at which they were scheduled’to present the proposition. “In Montgomery County, Maryland the proposed location of the road is understood to be through the best residential sections of the north and northwest suburbs of Washington, in the vicinity of Edgemoor, Somerset Heights, Bethesda, Highland Park, Battery Park, Woodmont, Northwest Park, Chevy Chase, Md., Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and a number of other smallér communitie and the opposition in all of these seems to be almost, it not wholly, unanimous. ) “In Arlington County, Virginia, wherever the proposition has been con- sidered and an_ expression obtained, the opposition has been almost as Memorial Bridge, now under constru way Boulevard from the Memorial Bridge, through the county, to and through the coming great Shenandoah National Park, to the Valley of Vir. Berlin never was distinguished for speclalizes in church architecture and in ruins, In its earlier development Washington was fortunate in getting a Capitol, Treasury Bullding and \White House of unusual distinction. In recent years it has been adding bulldings in classic syl in the Lincoln Memorial, which it would be hard to match in Europe. Congress ought to get the best advice possible progress and then see to it that the advice is followed Wash- | { | delegates trom e | show strong as in Maryland; as with the | tion; the proposed 200-foot Lee nghj D. C. By Belt Line Railroad! EDITORIAL IN KANSAS CITY STAK. ‘Washington has more handsome public bufldings than any capital ondon, aside frofn the Houses ot ired. Paris depends for its effects than on’ the bufldings themselves architectural beauty. Rome ulminating It represents America to the governments of the rest of the world The whole country is concerned in its proper development. for the city's adjacent Maryland counties; Arlingtor County has an unsurpassed oppor tunity of development into one of the most heautiful, as well as valuable sidential suburbs of our National Capltal City—and thix is the vision. the hope and the goal of the furwar looking people and the civic organiza tions of the county. “As a dark cloud overshadowing this great opportunity for the count: comes this proposed through freigh ne and its resuitant antagonistic it fluenc onstituting in all an insu mountable obstacle to such a gevelon ment of the county. southeastern por tion of the county already given over to railroads, rafiroad yards and other industrial enterprise, such a freigh line, and possible industrial develop ment following it, through the entire western part of the county, would leave but a narrow ment, bridge, loprients re all praetic | ment. “During the brief ation of this belt line before the people , betore the of the company abandone represe their name eeway, Cla endon allston, Highland Park ar Fort Myer Heights Citizens' Associ: tions, all of which adopted unqualifie resolutions against the road, and the vote being unanimous in each case ex cept Clarendon, where one vote wa st against the resolution. was followed, by the Fe ons resolution civic osgani an unqualifie proposed road. “Coples of the by the some of the local organizations st above are appended hereto, nsidera tion of which is requested, as they clearly the grounds of op- position they voicd against ration is also aske appended coples of le of r execlitives, hereinbefore referred showing the lack of need for any such road. “On_the part of tk Columbia, both the Board and the Chamber of Commerce sing the to the fact that circulated that might later be passenzer lne. course little short far as anything in cerned; as it seems hardly likely that passenger traffic to and throu 7 ington would be routed arou an, thi developed also which ide of ridiculou that would be al inal pasenger station es- ‘'ontinued on Sixth Page.) Sherwood Forest NOW Only 30 Miles Via Bladensburg and Defense Highway 20 Miles of Concrete 10 Miles Excellent Gravel Road. Follow the Signs at End of Concrete ginia; and the proposed extension of the District of Columbia park system into the county, as well as into the ; — ImII|lIlIlllII!IImllIlHlIIII|IllIllIInIIIIII|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|I|IIlIlIIlIIHlIVIlIlmIIIIIIlIIMlIIlIlIIllHIIIlI|IIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIlmIIIIlIlIIIIIIIlIIlIlIIllIImlllllllllllllIlIIIIlIlIIIIlIlIm_I; LTI FREE! given free. Splint. Tells Sells regularly for 25 cents. mineral salts. less time in the kitchen, Smoothtop Cookery! T T e R T T Factory 1305 G Street N.W. To every woman who attends one of these lectures, a copy of “Smoothtop Cookery” will be This is a wonderful new cookbook by Sarah Field Gives a month’s menus. how to use left-overs. How to solve meal-planning. Only Three More Days —Your Last Chance —to save $10 a We Will Allow $10 for Your Old Range on the Pur- chase Price of a Smoothtop REG. U.S NI when you buy new PAT. OFF GAS RANGE —the easy capacity of t, —the automatic conveni WITH SUPER VULCAN BURNERS In One Range Are Combined he coal range; ence of the electric range; —the instant effectiveness of the gas range. Gas, in the Smoothtop, gives the truly modern cooking heat! Sale Ends domestic science expert. less fussing, less watching, less work cleaning pots and range. Such is this new Come and bring your friends. Demonstrations Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Edgar Morris Sales Co. Distributors Main 1032-1033 in gas ramge beauty, efficiency and convenience. ers; oven-heat regulator. and white emamel fromt. inches. March 31st See an Enfirely New Cookery Demonstrated By Domestic Science Expert on The Smoothtop Come tomorrow at 2:30 pm., and see it dem- onstrated by Miss Kibbe, Stews, soups, pot roasts can now be done by a gentle simmering process; it brings out all that old- time flnv'or and savor. Vegetables can be cooked with an amazing process which preserves the vitamines and e Meals can be kept piping hot till serving, yet neither dry nor burned. And with all this, No. O.D442S.E. The last word 2, simmering burn- ¢ Super-Vulcan Burners. French gray 40, |