Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-03
COLUMBIA HEIGHT S
The Oitisens' Committee Favors Increas-
ing Number of Commissioners.
Business Transacted at the Meeting
Last Night Representative of
County ON the Board.

held last evening at Mission Hall, 14th
street and Florida avenue. The meeting
was bu. slightly attended, yet much bust
ness was transacted. In the absence of
President Gilbert NJ. Towles, Secretary
George Simmons presided.
After the minutes Of the previous meet
ing had been read and approved, Mr.. Thos.
J. LASER, from the special committee ap-
pointed to urge upon Congress the passage
of the $7,5O0,0OO bond BILL reported that
while the measure had failed at the last
session, he was confident that IT would yet
prevail. 1t was sure of passage, he thought,
II the citizens associations of the District
worked with the board of trade in pushing
1t before the coming Congress- He there
fore suggested that the present committee
of five be discharged, and a Lew commit
tee Of three be appointed, for the purpose
Of uniting with similar committees from
the various associations of the District in,
working for the passage of the bill. Mr..
Lasier's suggestion was adopted, and he
and Gilbert M. Huested and E. G. Jeffries
were appointed as such committee.
Telegraph Poles.
Mr.. Simmons announced that the West
ern Union Telegraph Company would soon
remove their poles from Sherman avenue,
and Mr.. Pixton stated that his COM
mittee had not yet been able to induce the
express or telegraph companies to extend
their free delivery system north Of Florida
avenue. But, at his suggestion, the secre-
tary OF the association was directed to
communicate with the companies and re-
quest an extension of the free delivery
system northward to Whitney avenue.
In response to an invitation from the
executive committee of the United Sub
urban Citizens Associations, the chairman
of the committee appointed to confer with
other associations on the bond bill, Mr..
LASER, was selected to represent the as
ISOLATION on the said executive commit
tee.
Representative Wanted.
Secretary Simmons then offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was adopted: Re
solved. That the representation of this
association is hereby specially instructed
to press upon the attention of said COM
mittee the Importance of working for the
appointment Of a representative and bona
fide resident of the county outside Of the
cities of Washington and Georgetown to
the next occurring vacancy In the board CT
District Commissioners.
The appointment of the following as a
committee on legislation, the committee
having been authorized at the preceding
meeting of the association. was announced:
Logan, NJ. A. Ballinger. Gilbert NJ Hustled,
Patrick O'Ferrall, s. G. Lovejoy. George
Simmons, A. K. Tingle and L. P. Williams.
Fol m Of Government.
Upon the motion Of Mr.. LASER, a reso-
luton was adopted referring to the present
form of District government as autocratic,
unrepublican and undemocratic, and au-
thorizing the committee on legislation to
invite sister associations to confer as to
the best means of bringing about such a
change of government as will meet the APP
proval of the whole people Of the District.
In support of his motion Mr.. LASER stated
that 1t seemed to him that the people CT
the District desired change in their pres
ent form of government. to the extent, at
least of increasing the number of Com
missioncrs The number, he believed, should
be at least seven. The present number, he
thought, is too small, for 1t savored too
much of autocracy. He referred to the at
tempt of the Commissioners to muzAle
their subordinates as foolish and imprac-
ticable, and declared that a larger board of
Commissioners would never have dared to
attempt such peculiar and unfair thing
as the Withholding of news the people have
the right to have.
Mr.. E. G. Jeffries also favored increasing
the number Of Commissioners from three
to seven. When the present number was
authorized, he explained, the District had
a population of about only 10000, while
now it has population of 275OOO. Then it
paid taxes on but about s90,OOO,O0O, while
that amount is now increased to about
500, 100000 Then, too, the annual expendi-
lures of the District were about only ST.
100000. while now they exceeded 5000, GOO.
InOSe HRureS, SalQ MI. JeUr1eS, showed the
wonderful growth and advancement of the
District, and the fact is, he remarked, the
District has grown beyond the capabilities
| of three Commissioners. AS shown by The
Stars voting inquiry, explained Mr.. JEFF
fries, the people of the District are opposed
to a change in the system of government,
but, he believed, all would agree that the
| number of the Commissioners should be
| increased. When that is done said Mr.
| Jeffries, and the District is given a code
| of laws, there will be no Cause for COM
plant.
Other business.
Upon The motion of Mr.. Simmons Sena-
| tors German and Sherman were elected
| honorary members of the association in rec.
ognition Of their efforts to prevent the cree.
ton of the proposed contagious hospital on
Columbia Heights.
Mr.. Simmons next moved that the boun
| dairy of the association be extended tt
| Spring road on the north and Florida an6
Grant avenues on the south, SO as to in
cludc Holmead Manor, but the matter wen
| over until the next meeting.
Mr.. Jeffries having introduced the ques
zion Of the associations consolidation witt
the Mount Pleasant Citizens Association
| a resolution introduced by Mr.. Losier, de
claring it to be inexpedient to merge tn,
association with any other, and that it Il
wiser to remain apart and separate, wa
unanimously adopted. Mr.. Mcfarland
| however, at first favored consolidation, re
ferring to the small attendance at tn,
meetings, and claiming that the associa
ton got nothing, while the Mount Pleasan
association got all they asked.
Before announcing an adjournment unit
the first Tuesday in May. Secretary Sim
mons stated that at the May meeting ex
Commissioner Myron NJ Parker would de
the annual election of officers would b
held, announced Mr.. Simmons.