Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON.
ReorganIzstio of the Citisens' Associstson
Of That section.


Reorganizati on of the Citisens' Associsticn
Of That section.
The Northeast Washington Citizens Associa-
ton met last night. the president, Josiah Mil
lard. in the chair. and the following members
present: W. c. Dodge. A. =. Clark, j. L. Chap
pell. DIR. Thomas Taylor, Evan Tucker, \. &
Clark. Hawkins Taylor, E. ID. Brown, L. W.
Smith and A. Girouard.
The reply OF the District Commissioners 20
Mr.. fuckers resolution adopted at the last
meeting concerning the improvement OF Sd
street between II and L was read; the Commits
sioners say they decided not 10 do this work
until Congress had taken action in reference 10
it.
Mr.. Tucker offered another resolution for APP
pointment of a committee Of five. OF which the
chairman of the street and railroad committees
and the president of the association should
form part, who should appear before the
House appropriations committee 60 see that
the money which had been appropriated for the
northeast section was not expended on streets
that were not up to grade; HIS resolution was
unanimously adopted. and Mersrs. W. {. Dodge
and =. {. Clark were chosen 20 act wf1h those
named In the resolution.
NEW OFFICERS ELECTED.
President Willard in n neat little .-peech
thanked the association for their uniform
courtesy. and then resigned his Office.
The resignation was accepted and a resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted thanking him
for the able manner he had presided over the
meeting.
Secretary Girouards resignation was also ac-
copied. Mr.. ". 4. Dodge de.i.ned the cleo
ton OF president. Mr.. Brown moved that the
secretary be instructed 20 cast the ballot Of
the association for Dr. Thomas Taylor FOR pres
ident The doctor declined with thanks, but
was hnally induced 20 accept she honor. DIR.
Taylor was then formally elected president.
For A MUNICIPAL aovERSMESr AND AGAINST
| SPECIAL TAX.
| Mr.. s. c. Clark under the call Cor new bust
ness. presented the following resolutions: That
governments are instituted among men. deriy-
ing their just powers from the consent Of the
governed, and in accordance with the genius OF
republican institutions all powers should
be derived from the people and those en-
trusted with Its exercise should be kept
dependent on the people: that
regard taxation without representation
| As oppressive and tyrGnnical and that We
earnestly in favor of a municipal governments
Tor tins District. republican IN form, in which
the people may have some voice IN the manage
ment Of their own municipal affairs. That the
exercise of legislative functions by our District
commissioners Is repugnant to the sentiments
! and traditions Of our people. Incompatible with
the cardinal principles of republican institu-
lions and dangerous TO civil liberty.
That as street improvements i'm this District for
/ many years have been made exclusively at
public expense We are now unquallfiedly
opposed TO special tax on admitting property
| for forthcoming improvements. unless a similar
tax be charged back on all property hitherto
| ISL"
Mr.. DoDGEs REMARKS.
These resolutions were unanimously agreed
upon except the last clause. ON which Mr..
Dodge said that the general impression among
he
wealthy. This was true. but the record shows
/ a very different state of affairs. For instance
the total assessed value in 1871 S19 9g7. 454.
Total debt of District of Columbia 80 los 067 IS,
| leaving net value of sac. s92. 3S6.l5. Our
present assessed value in 1880 he showed
was Sl31.636.il9. Now deduct from
tina; the present debt. which is si9. Isl ESQ and
what We have added To the value of 1871 in the
shape OF new buildings, .60.O00.000 more max
ing c19. 1Sl $50. and We have left the present
net value Of the District s57si5.3 1863. showing n
| decrease from 1871 to 1890 of sl9.O47.0l7 The
present revenues of the District. he said are
| estimated at 81. .O67. There is required for
the interest and sinking fund Of the
| debt nearly million and quarter dol
lars and for the schools over a million more.
these tive items alone consuming nearly one
half the District revenues. including the amount
appropriated by Congress. There were extra
demands amounting TO over eleven millions
more and the great question is
WHERE Is THE MONEY To COME FROM?
| The two most pressing needs of the District
he continued. more police and more fire
| engines. especially in view of the tall buildings
being erected. These two important things
he said the Commissioners were unable 70
recommend because of the want of means
There is not week. added Mr.. Dodge. TINT
/ citizens do not apply for street improvements
and sewers where they have already built and
Others at places where they want TO build. and
| the result IL the Commissioners are compelled
| an rafusa HON fnr of Inn
past session Of Congress the District appro-
priations had 20 be cut down after they had
passed the Senate s6i9.70s because they
exceeded the revenues Even then il 10
expected there will he a deficiency. which
mus: be made up from the revenues of the
coming year. The bonds TO be issued for street
extension and the Districts half of the cost Of
! the tunnel. the water main. the geological and
Rock Creek parks all draw interest, which the
District Is required to pay ont OF Its own
revenues and which, Of course. must be
provided for-both interest and sink
ing fund-thus reducing still more the
amount available for street Improvements
and other annual expenses. More than two
years ago. continued Mr.. Dodge. Congress
| passed bill establishing a reform school for
girls. the necessity for which has been urged
time and time again by the judges of the Police
and Criminal courts. No appropriation could
be gotten 20 start because of the want II
means. This was also the case at the aims and
work houses, where better accommodations
were needed. IL must be apparent that TO
meet this condition Of affairs the people are in
no condition TO engage in any scheme that will
call for an increase of expenditures.
INCREASED TAXATION.
In fact he added. il is obvious that even viii
| the plans now on hand there will soon be an in
crease in the rate of taxation so strongly urged
| by Messrs. Cannon and Henderson of the APP
preparation committee at tae last session. and
also an increase of the debt OF tine District, al
though il is now far more per capita or in pro-
portion to the assessed value, than
that Of any state or municipality
| in the union. Mr.. Dodge referred 30 the
| of the President refusing to sign the bill au-
| thorizing Ogden. Utah. 10 borrow 100000 TO
make municipal improvements, because, he
| said. il would make their debt s37 per capita,
which he considered excessive, yet Washing
| ton s debt today was $50 per capita. he sald
further that the decrease in net assessed values
was due TO improper and defective assessments,
| the greatest defect being their inequalities.
Mr.. Dodge went 10 speak Of the low as
easements in the northwest section. although that
part of the city has had the great bulk Of the
money for street improvements fully paid for
the taxpayers of Northeast Washington. and
now the District revenues are so foundered
that his section cannot get street improve
ments at all He opposed the permit and
special tax systems warmly, and then consid-
cred the question
HOW MORE REVENUE rs TO RE HAD.
There are but three ways, he continued, FIRST
10 increase the rate of taxation, as suggested
by Congress but no one wants. that especially
so long as the law requires property to be