Evening star., 1895-02-12
CAUSTIC co NJ MENTS
Congress Criticised by the Northeast 0iti-
sens Association.
Railroads the Prominent Subject-Neyv
Busfness Transacted and Old Busi-
ness Revived-Some Friction.

--7
There was not large attendance at The
meeting of the Northeast Washington Citi-
zens' Association held last night, but the
members present displayed considerable in
terest in the affairs of that particular sec
ton. The railroad question claimed a
share of the discussion. and remarks not
at all complimentary to members of the
District congressional committees were in
dulged in. 1t was stated that the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad is still shifting
trains and backing them without the use
of the lights. And, it was stated, several
accidents were narrowly averted..
After the approval of the minutes of TIE
last meeting the reports Of committees
were called for, but not many of the CHAIR
men responded.
Chairman Dalrymple of the school COM
mittee said that the committee had no re-
pert to make, but he did want to protest
against the method of teaching employed
in some of the schools. He referred to the
lessons given children by certain teachers
He said he knew several children who were
given grammar lessons when they lad
never seen a grammar, and unless their
parents were able to do the lessons for
them they failed. This. he said, may be
proper but If it is it is entirely different
from the methods employed In many OF
the states.
Railroad Bill.
Chairman Frizzell of the railroad COM
m;ttee spoke Of the trouble in getting ac-
ton by Congress on the subject Of the
route of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
and said he had addressed a letter to the
chairman of the committee. This letter,
he said, was referred to the whole COM
mittee, but was not considered. for the
reason that the committee had too many
other things ON hand. He said he had
heard rumor to the effect that the rail-
road company had prepared bill to be
introduced this week, and he at once
started to run down the rumor, but was
overtaken by the snow storm and had to
stop. Yesterday, however, he renewed
the task, and learned that the railroad
company had it's bill about ready, and it
will be introduced this week. And. he
added. the bill. which Is similar to the
one prepared by the association in 1892,
will pass, If it can be reached for a vote
before the 4th of March, This bill. he
said, provides for a meeting of the two
lines outside the city and brings it in on
ON Nerhead tracks.
Concerning the lighting Of II street by
electricity, Mr.. Frizzell said there might
be some doubt, because of the manner in
which the appropriation has been cut. He
said that the Senate committee had given
new officers of the government and had
increased salaries unsolicited. This in
crease amounted to more than 100000,
and when the time came for a cut it was
taken off the item for street lighting.
Some further cuts might be made without
Gripping the street lighting appropria-
ton, but he hoped there would be no cut
in the appropriationsrfort the schools.
Mr.. Martin said he had very little con-
fdence in the statements made by members
of the House committee and he had very
little faith in what the chairman says. So
far as he Is concerned; he said, he thought
the railroad companies have the commit
tees by the throat and will do with them
as they please. He was glad however, to
hear that there was something of some
kind in prospect, and he only hoped the
committee would do something.
Mr.. Chappell arose to note exception
to Mr.. Martins remarks He said that the
citizens are in the hands of the legislators
and to fight them he ithought was fighting
their bread and butter.
President fuckers Remarks.
President Tucker said that the railroad
bill had been introduced about four years
ago. The bill, he said, had been pitched
and tossed about and pigeonholed. while
Congress and it's committees have been do
ing what corporations have asked them to
do. 1t was his intention to have the mat
ter discussed and acted upon tonight, but
In view of the report of Mr.. Frzzell, he
thought it unnecessary to take any action.
If the railroad company has it's bill to offer,
and the bill suits the association, he
thought it best to help the company and
get the Dill through. lie tnOuSnC CnaC tne
remarks of Mr. Martin were not too severe.
President Tucker then called the associa-
tons attention to the bill for cheaper gas,
and spoke of the probability of it's passage.
eff the bill passed" he said, II think this
association will deserve more credit than
any other citizens"
Concerning the proposed extension of the
Columbia railroad, President Tucker said
a supposed public meeting was held. and
the chairman objected to his CTucker's)
taking the floor to tell the position of the
association on the question. Finally he
said he was told that he might have three
minutes after the presidents of the rail-
roads had made their speeches.
Mr.. Martin then said that he was sur
prised at the remarks made by Mr.. Chap
pell. His own remarks, said Mr.. Martin,
were intended to apply to members of Con-
gress, and he was happy to say that some
of their official lives would end in about
eighteen days.
ber. land it's not matter of politics
either"
A Pointer.
Mr.. Frizzell said he would like to give the
sanitary committee a pointer. Fenton
street, little one-square street, he said,
had been paved with asphalt, and the ap-
preparation charged against the northeast
81 investigated this matter and learned
that 1t was done because the health officer
had reported that the street was a nuts-
ance," he said. "And 1 think If some Of
the other unimproved streets are looked
after by the sanitary committee we may
get some Of thep improved
New Business.
Under the head of new business the as
sociation, by a unanimous vote. approved
House bill sO57, providing for the incorpo-
ration of the Belt Line railroad. The re-
port Of the Senate committee on this mat
ter, providing for single track, was char
acterized as ridiculous, for a person who
might want to ride three squares from
given point would have to ride all over the
city to reach it.
Mr.. Martin said he wanted to call atten-
ton to his resolution concerning the public
reservation at Delaware avenue and II
street. This square, he said. does not be-
long to the railroad, although the railroad
has possession Of it. 1t was intended for
use as a public park, and he thought 1t
should be used as SUCH He hoped the mat
ter would be agitatedsin some way.
Put a banana man or bootblack on
there" said Mr.. Colvin, "and there will be
all the agitation imaginable