National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-20
FoURAND-A.HALF STREET.
MEETING OF THE PROPERTY OWNER!

MEETING OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS
LAST NIGHT-SHALL THE STREET BE
REPAIRED
A large number OF the property holders on
Feur-and-a-hah street met last evening at Her
furth's hall, on that street, between D and E
streets southwest
The meeting organized by the election Of Mr..
T. A. Boswell, president, and DR.. R. A. Bacon,
secretary.
The president stated the object Of the meeting,
and DR.. Bacon informed those present that ne had
talked with q majority Of the property holders,
and they expressed themselves In favor Of the OBJ
Jet fST which they met The secretary then resd
trict:
OFTIcz OF TINE ATTORNEY ron EHz)
- DISTRICT OF OoLUlBIA, \
To fAs Commissioners Of the Dtsfyfct or Columbia;
cation addressed TO you BY MsssrS Z. A. Boswell
and others. in relation TO the Improvement on
Four-and-a-halfS street southwest.
J. Assessments having already been made against
the property adjoining these Improvement, and
certificates pursuant thereto having been Issued
ana soG :ssm, 70 me not With the PGTsSS %
validity in the hands Of the present holders. The
courts would, doubtless, afford such redress ss
the parties may be entitled to.
2 Sofar as eonoernsthe enforcing Of contribution
for the costs Of these improvements from the Me-
tropolitan Street Railroad Company, the act Of
Congress Of June 20, 1874, makes It the duty Of
the board Of audit to report to Congress ct the
next session the amount equitably oRargeable to
street railroad companies on account Of paving
along and within the tracks OF said companies
This branch, therefore, Of the case presented by
Mr.. Boswell and his associates, ought TO be
brought BY them to the attention Of the board Of
audit .-=-a
8. The remaining topic to which the'oommunE-
cation refers Is the present condition Of the street.
and the necessity for the proper completion Of the
improvements. This is . matter pertaining to the
duties Of the engineer.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) EDWIN L STANTON,
Attorney for the District.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
Messrs. I. A. Boswell, Dr.. Bacon, and Samuel
Herman, q committee Of the property holders on
Four-and-a- half street who waited on the commits
sIonsrs, "Wednesday, the 18th instant for the pur-
dition Of the roadway Of the street and request
them TO lay substantial concrete coating over
ne aTsadS isiG That
said that there was no contract under which this
work could be done, as that for the laying Of the
authority or money to commence any new work.
They intimated that the only way the work could
be done was for the property-holders TO pay into
make the improvement, and the work would be
done, provided the attorney Of the District would
give an opinion that the First National Bank Of
New York, the holders Of certificates Of indebted
ness for the improvements heretofore made on the
street could not hold the District responsible for
the certificates against the property on the street.
posed to pay for the foot pavement, but they did
not intend TO pay for the miserable work done on
the carriageEay. He also referred to the fact OF
trade leaving the street in consequence Of its con-
dition. The laying Of concrete coating over the
macadamiLing viii not cost more than q. Is per
yard, or about so cents per front foot. II the
question to the legality Of the issue Of the
thSs Ss ss'Sf II hS SY
obtaining relief from assessment for the work
already done, as the charges were not equitable.
Several on those present favored the laying of
the concrete even ift had to be done by the prop
erty-holders, IS It would have Q tendency to In
crease business hnd prevent trade being driven
into other streets.
The matter was deferred for the purpose Of
having II more thoroughly canyassed, and the
meeting adjourned to meet at the same place,
Friday evening, at o'clock.
Messrs. Geo. Grocner, J. H. Hanline and H. T.
Vernon were appointed committee to wait on
the property holders and notify them Of the time
and place Of next meeting.