Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-30

- COMMISSIOyER HIyE
ASKED TO WITHDRAW HIS RESIGNATION.
There was strong language used on Capitol
Hill last night. Reputable citizens. men who
have the good Of the city at heart. discussed
he Atkinson railroad bill and condemned its
grasping provisions with all the force they
could put into the condemnation. It was at a
meeting OF the Northeast Washington Citizens
Association. No. g. held in the hall of the Pea
body school building. President Josiah Willard
VS. in his place.
Secretary Girouard arose and made a vigor-
Gus onslaught on the Atkinson bill and the
greedy corporation whose creation it was. He
eulogized the work which had been done by
The STAE, and which was still going on. The
STAR, he said. was fighting a monopoly whose
only idea was profit; a monopoly which re-
garded not the rights of citizen6.' The people
OF the District of Columbia might have their
hands tied. but they could and must protest
against further entertainments by the railroad
company. Talk and protest might fail to ac-
complish anything just now. but the people
were bound to do anything but keep still. Mr..
Glrouard cited case of outrageous delay at a
crossing because the railroad company was
using the street for the purposes of private
gain regardless of the rights OF citizens. Mr..
Girouard then offered the following resolutions:
Resolved. That the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association. No. 8, in common with
the vast majority of the intelligent tax-paying
citizens Of all sections of Washington most
earnestly protests against the policy which in
the past has permitted the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company TO occupy, distigure and destroy
the streets, reservations and parks of this city
with Its tracks, buildings and rolling stock.
That policy has diverted from its proper and
legitimate uses great and valuable part of
the public domain to present it as gilt to q
wealthy corporation. which conducts its traffic
IL an offensive manner, regardless OF its obi
cations to the public. needless OF the damage
Il may inflict upon the adjacent property of
individuals.
Resolved. That this association objects to
the perpetration Of that policy as wrong in
principle and vicious in its effects. just
pubic opinion demands the withdrawal Of the
pennsylvania railroad depot from its present
location and the removal Of its tracks from
the street crossings. The maintenance Of these
surface tracks is constant menace to life, an
injury to property, a yexatious and unneces-
sary hlndrance to public traffic. Numbers of
human lives are every year sacrificed need
Iessiy within the city limits, that the profits of
this company may be increased. 1t is idle to
Prete nd that effectual safeguards cannot be ap-
Pied to prevent the appalling sacrifice. 1t re-
solves itself into question of the greater or
less monetary gains Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be
sent TO the chairmen Of the District commit
tees OF both houses of Congress-"
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
President Millard said it was evident that
Congress would do nothing this session with
The Baltimore and Ohio problem in Northeast
Washington. The conditions had not improved
Thomas W. Smith was of opinion that the
Atkinson bill Was the key to the situation. The
disposition made of that could be safely re-
garded as a precedent. IL the Atkinson bill be-
came q law then Northeast Washington might
as well give up its tight against the Baltimore
and Ohio.
Secretary Girouards resolution vaa then
adopted.
THE DANGEROUS CONDITION OF DELAWARE AVENUE
between and X streets northeast, was the sub
iect of a letter to the District Commissioners
which was submitted to the meeting by August
Baumbach- The petition sets forth that when
there Is rain the street Is Observation-Disclosures
ously so. At such times there are places where
the water accumulates to a depth of feet
This frequently makes il impossible for people
IN that vicinity to leave their homes. The
trouble comes from defective street grade,
ana although property owners on that square
have paid enough special Improvement taxes
to put the whole matter right not attempt
has been made to repair even a side walk. Mr.
Baumbach's effort in behalf of life and health
was referred 10 the committee on streets.
A RESOLUTION ASKING COMMISSIONER HINK TO
WITHDRAW HIS RESIGNATION.
Mr.. Smith then offered a resolution ON the
resignation Of Commissioner Hine, which was
adopted. The resolution was to the effect that
this association hears with regret of the
resignation of L. q. Hine as one of the Com
mlssioners OF the District of Columbia tnat il
appreciates the services rendered to the Dis
trict by him. We ask that Mr.. Hine reconsider
his determination and withdraw his resigna-
ton. His fitness for the place has been
demonstrated by his acts, and the public inter-
ests will be much better subserved by the work
OF an experienced officer than by the efforts of
a new appointee."
Loring Chappell said he was sure that the
District would be great loser IL Mr.. Hine re-
tires. Especially would his absence from the
board be felt by those portions Of the city
which, prior to Mr.. Hines appointment. had
always been neglected Commissioners Doug
lass and Hine were honorable, Just and true;
men who gave attention to the humblest indi-
vlduaL He was glad the resolution was offered,
glad the association was going to take action
on 1t. Such open appreciation was due the
civilian Commissioners they cared for the
whole city and not for sections of it.
HOPING FOR HARMONY
Mr.. Smith felt sure thatif the friends of Com
missioner Hine and Col Robert got together
the matter might be smoothed over. Presi-
dent Harrison would undoubtedly be glad to
have the kinks taken out of the situation
Secretary Girouard said 10 was evident from
was unwilling TO accept Mr. Hines resignation.
II the matter was pressed upon the President
III the proper way he believed the resignation
would not be accepted OF Col. Robert much
that was bad had been said He thought Col
Robert was right in his attack or the low grop-
geTies where vile rum WAS sold at cents a
drink to men whose families were half starved
He gave Col. Robert credit for good inten-
tons, and concluded by hoping that the trouble
might be patched up.
Evan H. Tucker offered a resolution Of con
do!ence to be forwarded the widow OF the late
Clarence NJ Clarke, secretary OF the associ-
alton. 1t was agreed TO.
CIVILIANS VERSUS THE MILITARY
Then Mr. Tucker offered the following
which was also adopted: Whereas the major
Ity OF the Board Of Commissioners has peti-
Toned the Congress to pass Law placing all
OF tneif subordinates under the control of the
board or majority OF the same and whereas
u Il anthorltatIveiy reported that tine Enyi-
neer Commissioner has stated that West Point
graduates would never obey orders issued by a
civilian; therefore, be it
Resolved. That II is the sense Of this body
that the Commissioners be reaueste6 10 amend
their petition so that ii will request Congress
70 repeal the law detailing two en- ineer ofticera
10 assist the Engineer Commissioners and pass
. nes law requiring that the assistants to the
Engineer Commissioner be appointed by the
Board Of Commissioners from civil life
Speaking TO the resolution Mr. Smith said
there WIS too much division, too much chaos AT
the District building. The official family was
divided. to the great detrihaent OF the District
President Mlkard Thought in ~ AZ nm Sorton.,a