Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-07
COMPULSORY SEWERS
Mount Pleasant Citizens Indorse q Pro-
posed Bill.
The Association Does Not Agree With
Columbia Heights as to Rail-
rOads-Other Matters.

The bill. which has passed the House, re-
specting compulsory sewer connection, oc-
cupied the attention of the Mt Pleasant
Citizens Association during the greater
part of it's regular monthly meeting last
evening, the measure being finally indorsed
although President J. w. Somerville and
several other members opposed 1t. The as
ISOLATION refused to accede to the request Of
property owners on Kenesaw avenue that
the association join in their opposition to a
railroad on that thoroughfare. laying the
matter on the table. The annual election
of officers was postponed until the first
Wednesday in June.
The matter of compulsory sewer connec-
ton was introduced by Chairman Wood
ruff of the committee on sewers, who stat
ed that the committee Endorsed the bill.
Mr. Chatfeld moved that the report be re-
ceived and that the commentator of
the committee be adopted. President Som
erville opposed the motion and bill, al
though he explained that the passage of
the measure would greatly benefit him in
a financial way. But there are about TO-
600 houses in the District, he said, without
sewer connection, Seventy-fiVe per cent of
them being owned by people unable to
bear the extra expense which would be
necessary upon the passage of the bill.
Because be believed 1t would be great
hardship on such people he opposed the
ptOpOSeQ law.
For and Against.
Gen. Speare opposed the penalty clause
of the bill because it would bring people
of good reputc into the Police Court Mr..
Ricketts,. however, thought the measure
very wise one. remarking that the need
of such law was very apparent to any
one who was in the least acquainted with
Mt Pleasant. Mr.. Sleman said that no
man should be allowed to own property
Who made it a nuisance to his neighbors
IN any way. For reasons Eeyond his con-
troll. he was Il nuisance to his neighbors,
being compelled to drain his premises upon
the adjoining lot in the absence of a sew
err MIR. Hanson remarked that the fact
that there are 10000 houses in the District
without sewer connections is the strongest
Kind of Endorsement of the bill There
are sections not a thousand miles from
Mt Pleasant which have not been free
from typhoid fever and diphtheria for
years, he said, simply because houses have
not been, and are not now. connected with
sewers. He earnestly hoped the bill will
become law and very soon at that.
Associations Clash.
The report of the committee was adopted.
and the bill Endorsed when President Somer-
vile stated that residents on Kenesaw
avenue desired the association to join in the
opposition to the proposed railroad on that
thoroughfare. The desired cooperation of
the association was not obtained, however,
the sense of the meeting being that Mt
Pleasant is In need of better railroad faciH-
ties, and that it would be against public
Pohcy TO oppose any proposed road. Mr..
Davis SAID he is in favor of street railroads.
and thought that the opposition was an
exhibition of SelfishneSs. He ridiculed the
ldea OF a company running to the Zoo and
Rock Creek parks by way of Piney Branch
road, as suggested at a meeting Of the CO.
lumbia Heights Citizens Association He
was disguised with people who cIamored for
better railroad facilities until they dis
covered that 1t was proposed to run the line
on street occupied by them Mr. Chat
field also so expressed himself, and upon
the motion of Mr.. Sienan the whole matter
was laid on the table.
Other Matters.
The recommendation of the executive COM
mittee. favoring the extension of the fire
limits to Plney branch. and from 18th street
to the Zoo Park, was adopted. although Mr.
Davis thought there is no necessity for such
a thing, remarking that the erection of
frame houses would be prevented He was
reminded. however. that brick houses are
being erected now in Mt. Pleasant, and also
of the fact that the extension of the fire
limits would prevent the erection of wires
and poles in the section.
Mr.: Chatfield. calling attention to the
murder near the Zoo Park Monday after
noon, moved that the association request
that at least two more policemen be de-
tailed to the section. the beat Of one to ex-
tend from kEnsie Ford bridge to Piney
branch, and that of the other from there
to 14th street bridge. The motion was
adopted, as was a motion offered by Mr.
Chatheld directing the committee on schools
10 ASK the restoration of the grammar as a
text book In the public schools.
The hour being late, the election Of off,
GERS was deferred until the first Wednesday
in June.