Evening star., 1896-06-12
w ANT AN ENGlN e
Anacostia Citizens Draw Attention to q
Necessity.
Danger of Serious Fire-Other Mat.
tcrx Discussed mt Last Nights
Meeting.

special meeting last evening at Haines'
Hall. in response to a call from the presi-
dent, DR.. George Havenner, to take action
looking to the location of a steam fire en-
gine in Anacostia.
The following resolution. on motion Of
the vice president, Mrs. Eaton was adopted
by unanimous vote: THAT the executive
committee be directed to prepare and pre-
sent to the District Commissioners letter
setting forth the reasons why Anacostia
should have fire engine"
The committee retired from the meeting.
and. upon returning to the room a little
later. submitted a paper, which was
adopted, and Vice President Eaton and
Mr. r. B. Buckley we're appointed to pre-
sent the same to the Commissioners in per-
son. and add such other reasons as might
occur to them why the request should be
granted
The letter is as follows:
I'VE understand that Congress has made
an appropriation for the purpose of pro-
viding two additional fire engines, together
with the engine houses and necessary ap-
| pliances, for the District of Columbia.
I'VE beg leave to invite your attention
| to Anacostia's need of protection from fire.
As you probably know, the most thickly
built section-the business portion Of the
| towns composed mainly Of frame build
ings. nearly all filled with valuable stocks
| of com mbustible merchandise.
| Built as they are in rows, those houses
| and their contents are at the mercy of
| flames A fire during a high wind would
| destroy many thousands of dollars worth
| of property before an engine from the city
could reach 1t, while fire at any time
| would most certainly destroy any single
| frame building before help could arrive,
| and there is always danger Of the draw in
the Navy Yard bridge being open, thus
rendering passage over 1t impossible for at
| least ten minutes.
| In addition IN this he hrid oo 10 =, rrou,
4 and at all times crowded with teams and
street cars, and within a short time there
| will, 1t is likely, be other cars crossing the
| same bridge. 1t needs no argument to
| snow that an engine crossing the bridge
at nigh rate of speed is likely to destroy
| human life.
| This being the state Of facts, and there
| being no other portion of the District con-
| tanning so much valuable property that is
| so nearly unprotected as is Anacostia, we
! feel that We can with confidence ask that
| our request be granted when we ask you
| to cause an engine to be located in our
! town.
| signed by George c. Havenner, w. c..
van Hoy, E. L. Eaton, j. NJ. Heating, H.
B. Darling, Henry johnson, R. B. Buckley
ana w. H. Peck, executive committee"
| Other Matters.
| Mr. w. H. Peck, chairman of the COM
| mfttee on streets, sewers and bridges sub
mitted report stating that the commit
| tee is preparing data in order to make an
Intelligent presentation of matters which
We're referred to it at the proper time.
| Mr. H. B. Darling, from the committee
on police, said that within the next few
| days his committee will have a conference
| with the District Commissioners, and ask
| for additional officers for the eastern sec
! ton of the District.
| Mr.. W. c. Van Hoy, from the committee
| on reclamation of the Anacostia flats, re-
| ported that his committee was engaged In
| gathering 1acts in reference to the mat
| ter, that would be put in proper shape and
| presented to Congress when it again meets
| which Will, 1t Is hoped, induce the latter
! 10 remedy the many difficulties which the
| present condition of the flats gives rise
| to. He hoped, he said, to be able to make
| arrangements for joint action by represen-
tatives OF the several citizens associa tions
| In the District and to that end he intended
| TO at once confer with the members of the
| Other associations so that mass meeting
| can be arranged, at which all the associa-
/ t1ons will be represented. provided the
| Anacostia association sanctioned such ac-
| ton.
The suggestion Of Mr. Van How was on
| motion of Mr.. Weiss, approved by unani-
| nous vote, and Mr.. Van Hoy was request
| ed to proceed to the action Of his plan as
| outlined.
| Mr.. E. V. Lawrence said that he an
| proved heartily of the course indicated by
Mr.. Van Hoy, and believed that it would
prove successful. Remarks to the same
|
Vice President Mrs Eaton, who is also
the chairman of the committee on street
railroads, reported that Congress had grant
ed the change of route asked for by the
| Capital Railway Company.
| You all KNOW. said she, from reading
! The Star what has been done and 1 can
| only add that have perfect confidence in
| the ability and willingness of the company
| to build the road. and also feel sure that
| before the SHOW flies the electric cars will
| fly through the streets of Anacostia and
! the horse cars will fly away
| Continuing, Mrs. Eaton said: LAS chair
man of the railroad committee, 1 desire to
! express my warm appreciation of the cour-
| teouS and considerate attention that l. as a
! representative of the Anacostia Citizens
| Association, received from the committees
| OF both houses of Congress, and 1 feel es-
| pecially grateful to The Star for it's in.
valuable help in this fight against tre-
/ mendous Odds"
! After the transaction of some routine
business the association adjourned to NEE,
1 at the Sc me place Wednesday evening next