The record-union., 1895-05-22
an "ANTI-NUISANCE ASSOCIATION. j"
The L-Street Barrier to the South
west End Condemned.
Citizens Resolve That the Nuisance
Shall Not Longer Cut Them Or
From the Business Section.

oASdaAs W q Cdll Ru6Q ny SlAtoou
citizens of the southwest end, meeting
was held in the Art Gallery last night to
advise ways and means for the removal
of the barrier that L street, from Second
to Fourth, constitutes between the busi-
ness section and the city Art Gallery and
the homes of the Second Ward. There
was a good attendance. w. II. V. Ray
mond Of the Museum Directory was
called to the chair, and Fl. II. Hummel
was chosen Secretary. President Wood
son, representing the Museum Associa-
ton, was asked to state the purpose Of
the meeting. and explained that the asso-
citation had long ago found lower l. street
to be a great drawback to the successful
administration of the gallery and the
conduct of the Museum Association, and
constant cause for apology and explain
alton to strangers and visiting bodies, TO
say nothing of humiliation and inability
to get people to attend meetings at night
In the gallery. He feared that the associ-
alton had grown weary of battling against
the fact, and he hoped some decisive ac-
ton would be taken. 1t was not proposed
to war on the social evil, but simply to
insist that as conditions now are there
shall no longer be barrier, cutting the
Second Ward residence section off from
lower business streets.
A letter from w. ID. Lawton, President
of the Board of Trustees, was read. SYM
pathiZing with the purposes of the meet
Ing as being responsive to the desire OF
the people of the southwest end, and re-
GREETING his inability to be present.
A free conference was then had, in
which DIR. Banks, after telling how con-
ditions impressed the visitors. related the
experience OF Seattle in similar case.
DIR. Meaiand told of his ex perience with
strangers he had to bring to the Art
Gallery. John hatcher wentinto details to
show what q nuisance lower l. street is.
aud how it is constant cause of shame
and humiliation and property deprecIa-
ton.
A. Conklin bore similar testimony, and
thought something ought to be done now.
Alex Nelson said the matter could scarce
ly be presented too strongly. For years
he and his property had suffered under
the nuisance. Z. II. Mckee said some
remedy ought to be found after all these
years. 1t was not question where the
quarter should be moved to; that was not
TO be considered. but simply the question
of taking down the barrier as it is. He
moved the appointment of committee of
three to consult with the Ciy Attorney
and Corporation Counsel. The motion
prevailed.
Mr.. Schaden bore testimony to the fact
that lower l. street is a nuisance to the
residence section. Trustee ToZer felt that
there was need for action for city interests
in general, but it must be through organ
ization. MIR. Woodson explained the
working OF the sanitary district law. MIR.
Raymond thought that something be-
yond sending out committee to get
opinions should be done. e. j. Figg told
how lower l. street depreciates property
values, and promised his aid in any law
full way to remove the nuisance.
Mrs. Keet, Mrs. Lyon. Mrs. Sullivan,
Mrs. Hummel, Mrs. Crouch and Mrs.
Mathena were in harmony with the
movement, and spoke freely of the shame
lower L street is to the southwest end
homes. Mr.. hatcher feared that if the
committee reported that the law could
not be enforced that would send the mat
ter. DIR. Mealand and others replied
warmly to that no." and L. NJ. Woodson
pointed out what organization would do.
and urged thai officials need and are en-
titled to the moral force OF the people be-
hind them. 1t was explained that many
laws would be dead letters if associations
were not formed to secure their enforce
Inent, and even the State in the case of
cruelty to children and to animals en-
couraged the formation of such societies.
Confidence was expressed that the City
Trustees would aid the movement.
b. General Tozer again urged upon atten-
ton the fact that without organization
and persistent effort nothing could be
done. Mrs. keet hoped that this single
meeting would not end it all. The Chair
then appointed as the mmittee to visit
the attorneys E. II. Mckee, h. A. Crouch
and E. j. tigg, and The committee was
instructed that if there is no law now to
meet the ends in view, that it secure an
ordinance to be framed for the purpose OF
defining public nuisances.
By this time the meeting had fully
grasped the subject in hand and became
not only enthusiastic but determined,
and passed the following resolution by
unanimous rising vote.
"ResotUed, That we organize as an as
sociation to effect the abatement of dis
reputable houses from Front to Sixth
street, south of X"
Several wanted to insert Tenth street,
30 as to prevent the spread of the nuis-
ance toward the Capitol. 1t was ex-
planned at this point that the nuisance
has begun to invade Third street below
L, and is pushing southwark rapidly.
1t was resolved to elect officers at once,
aud these were chosen: President,
Alonzo Conklin; Secretary, II. II. Hum
mel; Treasurer. A. Schaden; Executive
Committee, with said officers, John
hatcher. c. n. Hartwell. The Executive
Committee was given full power to repre-
sent the organization in the interim OF its
meetings.
President Conklin suggested a commit
tee of ladies 10 solicit embership for
the organization. The idea was adopted,
and Mrs. Keet, Mrs. Crouch and Mrs.
sullivan were named. 1t was also re-
solved that each member would solicit
citizens to become mernber TO be re-
ported at the next meeting, and 1t was
announced that residence anywhere in
the city was sufficient to qualify for
membership.
Some time was taken in selecting q
name. but finally, on motion of Mr.. Fen
ton, the organization was named 1.-THE
Anti-Nuisance Association" The roll
was then opened. and these names were
appended: A. Conklin, h. II. Mckee.
w. II. V. Raymond, John Batcher, j. A.
Woodson, DR.. Mealand. Thomas Ross,
DR.. Banks, Ii. II. Hummel. +. NJ. Wood
son, Ed. Boyian, E. J. Figg, Harry
Holmes, A. Schaden, w. f. Jackson,
Alexander Nelson. w. w. Prince. Mrs.
NJ. Mathena. Mrs. NJ. d. Keet, Mrs. E. A.
Crouch, Mrs. j. II. Sullivan, Mrs. NJ. L.
Lyon, Mrs. l.. d. Hummel, George Suy-
dam and j. f. Fenton. These names
were added that were attached to the call
for the meeting, but the persons were not
present: r. S. Hotchkiss, William Nc
Laughlin, w. D. Stalker, q. n. Smell, NJ.
ID. Keet, ii. C. Wolfe, Mrs. James Nc
Clatchy, Mrs. o. G. Booth. Mrs. j. w.
Willem, Charles T. Dillman, s. II. Gar
field, II. j. Kilgariff. Mrs. Z. p. Figg, 4.
C. Hart, George IL. Clark and q. w.
Locke.
The meeting then adjourned to re-
assemble next Tuesday evening at s
O'Clock, at the Art Gallery, when it is an
ticipated the names on the roll will be in
creased to the hundreds.
HOTEL ARRIVALS