Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-04
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE EAST.
Citizens Of East Wa shingfOn Who Want
1t Extended.
THE PROPOSED BRIDGE ACROSS THE EASTERN BRANCH
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DISTRICT COMMISSION
ERs-A QUESTION ABOUT CONVICT LABOR.

THE PROPOSED BRIDGE ACROSS THE EASTERN BRANCH
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DISTRICT COMMISSION
ERs-A QUESTION ABOUT CONVICT LABOR.
meeting Of citizens Of East Washington and
Anacostia was held last evening at No. 2:s6 Penn
sylvania avenue, DIR. s. 4. II. McKim presiding and
DIR. W. Lee White secretary. Addresses were made
by Messrs. NJ. l. Weller, Richard Smith, S. T. Suit,
Joseph s. Worthington, Charles Pelham and DR..
John w. Bayne. Mrs. E. +. Briggs and Others made
addresses urging the Importance OF securing the
favorable action of the Commissioners in the mat
ter Of improving PENNSYLVANIA avenue southeast,
from 11th street TO AnacoStia river the construc-
ton Of a bridge and the grading Of a road to the
District line to connect with the Marlboro or
Bowen road.
Resolutions Were adopted setting out "that the
best interests OF the city and county of Washing
ton In Its eastern section have suffered materially
In the past by reason OF the absence OF public i'm
prOvementS;" and that they had hoped with the
advent OF the present Commissioners to receive a
more generous treatment, and providing that the
chairman appoint committee OF twenty citizens
to wait upon the Commissioners and request their
early and favorable consideration OF the public
improvements or the localities indicated.
The chair appointed as the committee S. T. Suit,
Charles Entwisle, Edward Temple, Chas. Pelham,
esq, Richard Smith. Mr.. Waggaman ThOs Gray,
DR.. John W. Bayne, b. F. Guy, NJ. /. Weller, Geo. f.
HarDin, Geo. F. Wilson, Francis S. Obold, J. S.
Worthington, John E. Herrell, Jos. Waltermeyer,
Fred. A. Lehman. DR.. McKim was added TO the
committee.
The Call on the Commissioners To-day.
The committee appointed at the meeting last
night called On the Commissioners this morning
at 1880 O'Clock. DR.. Mckim, who acted as spokes-
man, called attention to what he said was the
necessity ofeXtending Pennsylvania avenue east
to the river and then opening the avenue on the
other side of Eastern branch through the county,
Such an extension, he said, on this side OF the
branch would make deal OF property accessible
and would insure the rapid Improvement OF that
section. There would be, he said very little grad
Ing required. On the other side OF the river, he
said the right of way would be given by property
owners 50 far as the Marlboro road.
Mr.. Webb asked II the committee thought It was
necessary or desirable to open this avenue before
an appropriation was made for a bridge across the
Eastern branch at Pennsylvania avenue
70 this Or. Mckim replied, "Yes."
Col. Ludlow remarked that their idea was to get
the avenue opened, leaving the more expensive
part OF the improvement-the building OF the
bridge-to come afterwards, and DR.. McKim as
Sented to this statement.
MIR. Suit said Capt. Mahon thought he could put
the structure up for $4,000, but the committee OF
Congress proposed, without solicitation, to in
crease that amount to $4,000
Col. Ludlow said chat bridge there would not
De very expensive, as the shores were low.
MIR. Suit said that the Commissioners some time
ago promised TO work on the proposed extension on
the opposite side OF the branch provided the citi-
zens' committee provided transportation for the
wOrkhOuSe men and paid the expense OF driving
piles, and provision was made for a dummy engine
for the w0rkhouSe men. The committee had Sc
cured an appropriation OF 81 600 from Congress He
said the citizens were ready TO perform their share
but the commissioners had failed to keep their
promises.
Col Ludlow remarked that these Commissioners
Mr.. Suit said that Mr.. Webb still remained.
Mr.. Webb said they had been trying ever since
engine fOr the amount appropriated.
MI. suit said that at first Capt. Mahan wanted
$4,000 ls T for "a bridge The District committees
amount. The citizens then asked $4,000 for a
Drldge and the committee agreed to give $4,000
Col. Ludlow said there would be no Opposition
on the part of the District Commissioners.
the commissioners and the committee then ex-
amined the maps, and IL WAS Informally agreed
that the committee should submit next
week plat OF the proposed extension
and the written agreement OF the property owners
to give the land 1Or the extension.
Mr. Webb spoke OF using the wOrkhouse gang on
the work o>''''
Mr.. Wilson, OF the committee, late foreman o.
the steam engineering shops at the navy yard,
thereupon objected to the use or convict labor
on the work.
Mr.. Webb said that was all the labor they had
10 use tnere; tney had no money for the work.
"Ihls Is not convict labor" said Col. Ludlow.
sit Is the labor Oh men who have committed some
for their board lt is like the case OF a tramp
who applies to house for his breakfast and is
made ..tI: TO saw saw a cord OF wood for it."
wen" said Mr.. Wilson, iii the work is to be
done that way hope it Will never be done at all"
Mr. suit declared that MI. Wilson did not repre-
sent The committee in this matter.
''If he proposes TO have The work done In that
way" said Ar. Wilson, 81 don't think Mr. Suit
would be endorsed in that section OF the city"
Dr. White and other members OF the committee
expressed their opposition TO Mr.. Wilson,
Mr.. Weller said he and his partner represented
many owners in that section. ave say frankly"
he added, that the remarks made by this genLie-
man treferrfng to Mr.. WILSON, do not represent
them. The chain gang last year graded the road
way OF Pennsylvania avenue east. 1t is now ready
for regulating, for paving and for laying side
walks. What we want now Is 10 have the COM
mlssioners provide for this work In their esJi-
mates" They wanted the Commissioners to employ
the chain gang On the work on the streets. '.Ail
we ask Is, he said, .'that you do the work, no
matter what you do it with"
The committee then withdrew and took steps to
secure from the owners the papers required by the
Commissioners.