Evening star., 1895-06-14
STREET EXTENSION PLANS
A Columbia Heightst Committee Asks
Speedy Action.
A Call on the Secretary of War-Urg-
ing That Iniastice Mny
Be Done ky Delay.

A committee, consisting of Francis Col
ton, NJ. NJ. Parker and Robt. Catlin, ap-
pointed by President Ballinger of the Co.
lumbia Heights Citizens Association, to-
day presen ted to the Secretary of War the
following petition in refererce to the adop-
ton of the first section of the street exten-
sion plan:
"On behalf of the Columbia Heights Citi-
zens Association, representing that terri
tory bounded by Florida and Whitney ave-
nues and 7th and 14th streets, we beg to
press upon your attention the urgent ne
cessity for prompt action on your part upon
the plans for street extension that are now
before you. You will appreciate the fact
that the government of the United States
cannot in justice create any unnecessary
burdens upon any citizens whose interests
are affected by such street extension; that
while it is the duty of individuals to sub
nit to all rules and regulations made by
Congress, it Is also the duty of the govern
ment and those charged with the execution
of its laws to execute the same with the
least possible injury to the citizen.
1T is equally true that from the day the
board of Commissioners put its seal OF ap-
proval upon a plan of street extension for
any section every foot of ground contained
within the proposed street or avenue area
became dead property, totally unfit for Use
by its owners; that this condition Will con-
tinue until the final condemnation of the
land, and that during that time the owners
are paving taxes thereon, In many cases
interest upon trusts upon the same, and yet
building thereon is not to be thought of,
and in case of trusts maturing thereon the
owners cannot hope to be able to borrow
any money whatever on such property.
1T is apparent from the act of Congress
under which you are acting that Congress
evidently appreciated these facts, and
sought to create a law that would, If en-
oil
ages, etc. that might arise. as is evidenced
by the fact that after you shall have
agreed upon any plans, the proceedings in
court for condemnation of the ground taken
for new or changed streets shall take pre-
cedence over all other, except criminal
cases, and We submit that it is not in ac-
cord with the spirit of the act itself. nor
consistent with the best interests of the
District of Columbia or that of the owners
of real estate that may be affected by any
plans that are may be before you, that
any unnecessary delay be indulged.
1T may not be amiSS to suggest that II
any person be dissat tisfied with the plans
that are or may be before you such person
Is very likely to be heard from in the shape
of protest, while the great majority OF
persons who are willing to submit to such
plans will never be heard from. Neither is
it just to the many that the objections of
the few should seriously delay your action
in the premises. If such objections be fatal
to the plans presented to you and cannot
be overcome, then justice to all parties re-
qutres the same prompt action at your
hands that should follow if the plans were
approved by you.
Our association feels deep interest in
the subject and cannot too strongly urge
upon you the absolute necessity for prompt
action on your part, to the end that the
plans before you be either approved, modi-
fled or rejected, so that parties. owners,
may know what theyown and be in con-
dition to act accordipgly. We further beg
to say that our association numbers $50
owners and residents, and that while there
may be individual hafdShips and individual
objections here and there to the plans now
before you, yet, without dissenting voice,
the resolution hereto attached was unani-
mously adopted at a well-attended meet
ing of our members. held on the 4th in
stant. We ask for no hardship to be in
fiicted upon any man. nor do we wish any
person to be cut off from his Just right for
compensation for any damage he or she
may sustain. But we insist that the gen.
eral public must be considered before in
dividuals and that delay in your action
must be public calamity. t v