Evening star., 1896-12-15
Annual Report Of President Tucker
on Work of the Year.
UNCEASING SURVEILLANCE OF B. 30.
Many Street and Park and Other
Improvements Secured.
RADE CROSSING BILL

Now that Congress has convened, the
people of Northeast Washington are taking
renewed interest In the doings of the CIT
izens association of that section, and last
night there was not only good attendance,
but several new members were admitted
The annual report of the president was
read. and listened to with much interest.
Chairman FrizzeI of the railroad commit
tee made some remarks on the question of
grade crossings along the line of the Bafti-
more and Ohio railroad, and told of his sur
prise and astonishment at what he termed
Commissioner Powelrs change of 'front.'"
The Presidenfs Report.
President fuckers report was substan-
TALLY as follows:
Although the association was organized
but four years ago, a detailed report Of its
work would be SO voluminous as to require
more space than l have at my disposal I
therefore submit this summary, mention
ing briefly only its most important recon-
mendations and accomplishments.
The committee on steam railways, by
Its efficiency and untiring zeal, has accom-
plished many things for the Improvement
OF conditions along the lines of the said
railroads within the city, among which are
the following: The speed of trains has been
perceptibly reduced by causing the arrest
and prosecution of engineers who have vio-
lated the law in this respect. Electric lights
nave been erected and maintained at all
tne crossings OF the road within the city.
Guard gates have been erected and ffagmen
provided for service both day and night at
many of the crossings. Fences have been
erected along the lines. The company has
been required to provide lights on the ap-
preaching ends of engines or trains NOV
ing on or over any street or avenue within
the city at night and the laying of nu-
merous sidings into private property has
NIT too hos ole
rendered valuable assistance to the COM
mittee ON proposed legislation in it's work
Tor the abolition of grade crossings
The committee on streets avenues and
aiieys has been very much embarrassed in
It's earnest endeavorS for the Improvement
OF the streets and avenues of Northeast
washington by reason of the neager and
inadequate appropriations. During the
past four years the annual appropriations
ior this work in the northeast section
nave averaged only about $3S 600 which
amount makes a very small showing to-
ward the improvement of the 6J per cent
OF the streets of this section which are un-
improved The committee has had hatter-
ing success. however, in the adoption of it's
recommendations.
Street improvements.
The following are some OF the improve
ments which have been made after having
been recommended and urged by it:
Paved-Massachusetts avenue, from 1st
street to 4th street. NJ street. from North
Capitol street to Florida avenue 4th street.
from H street to X street: D street from
ist street to Sd street; 11th street, from
street.
Graded and macadamized-11th street.
from Maryland avenue to Florida avenue:
FLORIDA avenue, from 9th street TO NJ street:
l2th street. from East Capitol street to
Maryland avenue.
"Granolithic sdewalk-H street, from 9Th
street to 18th street
Prick sidewalk-E street. from North
capitol street to 1st street. 4th street from
+ street to H street: 9Th street, from
street to K street; Delaware avenue, from
G. street to H street
AT the request of this committee. the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company has
been required on numerous occasions to re-
pair aid Improve its crossings. The paw
ing Of ID street and Florida avenue as
noted above, is now nearly completed. and
Is expected to relieve the congested condf-
tion of II street by diverting therefrom the
brick carts and other heavy hauling :
Through its efforts the Commissioners
have altered the second section of the pro-
posed plan for the extension of highways
SO as to provide for the extension of +
street in straight line from its present
terminus at 18th street to Bennng road
and IN the schedule for future work the
recommendations of the committee have
been fully recognized.
Light and Water.
Very gratifying success has attended
the intelligent efforts of the committee on
water, lights and sewers. Among the i'm
provements which have been recommended
by it and obtained are the following: Sew
eral hydrants and drinking fountains for
horses have been erected. The committee
has been assured that soon as appro-
priations are available for the purpose, ar
tesian wells will be sunk in this section.
ptrfo 1Ecrrf hov hAav
street Numerous gas and oil lamps have
heen erec, Led. An important sewer has been
constructed to provide for the drainage of
the buildings and grounds of the Deaf
Mute Institution, thereby abating a nuis-
ance which has menaced the health of the
community; and sewers have been con-
structed on 18th and NJ streets. Through
the recommendations Of this committee,
and by the combined efforts of the Com
m!ssioners and the association AN appro-
priation was procured for the erection of
new engine house in this section where an
engine company has been esta blished and
is doing good work.
The only question Of importance which
has been considered by the committee on
assessments and apportionmept of appro-
prfations was included in bill which was
eracted by Congress In 1894, providing for
a permanent board of assessors and a re-
vision of the law relative to real estate
assessments. When this bill was being con-
sidered by the congressional committee. this
committee called attention to some fatal
defects in the measure. and through its
able recommendations the bill was per-
fected. and by the combined efforts of the,
Commissioners. the board of trade and this
association it became a law, and has been
productive Of good results.
Public Parks and Schools.
THE committee public parks and
spaces has made vigorous effort to compel
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
to vacate reservation No. ZIG formerly
2oD. and while the company has not yet re-
moved its tracks and property from the
space, it has been ordered by the Secretary
of the Interior to do SO, and the committee
is OF opinion that the space will soon be
vacated and converted into a park The
Commissioners have honored the recon-
mendauoi.s Of this committee relative to
the location Of parks in the suburbs by in
Guiding IN the second section of proposed
plan for the extension of highways several
of the parks suggested by 1t. and 1t Is be-
lieved that the request that Graceland cem-
etery be converted into park will be COM
piled with.
Valuable service has been rendered by
the committee on schools in procuring an
appropriation for eight-room school
building. now in course OF construction at
the corner of X and 5th streets.
Grade Crossings.
soon after the organisation of the assO-