Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-05
VIGOROUS VOICES
Mt Pleasant Citizens Discuss Com
munity Needs.
ANTAGQNISM TO OVERHEAD WIRES
Early Extension Of Street Rail-
way Lines Demanded.
ENLARGEMENT OF CITY LIMITS

Street railways and overhead wires were
the matters of greatest interest before the
meeting of the Mt Pleasant Citizens Associ-
alton last evening. The extension of the city
limits was also considered and unanimously
favored, as was a proposed extension of the
fire limits. Speedy action in the matter of
a railway to the western section of the vii
lage was urged upon the Commissioners and
Congress, and again a protest was entered
against overhead wires.
Mr.. Zellers reported that the net sum of
s21.25 had been received from the sale of
the effects of the village volunteer fire de-
partment, donated to the association by
the organization. In that connection Presi-
dent Somerville suggested that the truck
and hose carriage be loaned to the Tenley
town volunteer fire department. and he was
authorized to make the loan.
From the committee on street railways,
Chairman Chaplin Brown said that it seemed
that the matter of extending street rail-
way line to the Zoo and Rock Creek Parks
remains just W here 1t was before the confer
ence between the District Commissioners
and the railroad authorities. The Commits
sioners favored a route north on 18th street
to Howard avenue, thence east on Howard
avenue to 18th street, thence south to Flor
ida avenue.
The Railroads Not Suited.
The railroads did not favor that route and
it seemed that the present session of Con-
gress will expire without the passage Of the
necessary bill Then, too, the railroads seek
ing to reach the two parks objected to the
Commissioner proposal that they acquire
lands. They would not purchase land for
the purpose, proposing to extend their lines
only on existing streets and highways. he
iSSiOnerS should T.
tie upon some route, and SO report to Con-
gress, that it might quickly settle the matter.
At a recent meeting of his committee, said
Mr.. Brown, the following route had been
recommended: From Florida avenue along
either 18th 18th street or Columbia road
Of by Columbia road or 18th street. by single
track thereon) to Columbia road and 18th
street, thence by 18th street to kenesaw
avenue, thence along Kenesaw avenue and
Park highway to the entrance Of Zoo. thence
along 18th street to Howard avenue, thence
along Howard avenue to 18th street. thence
south to Florida avenue.
Resolution of Instructi0n.
Mr. Brown also reported a resolution re-
questing the Commissioners to report as
speedily as possible to Congress in the mat
ter. the association believing that the roads
should be required to be built within one
year That as far as practical existing
highways should be used, but if not the COM
pany being granted the right should be re-
quired to acquire the right of way, and that
said right Of way should be transferred to
the District should the same be needed in the
future for public thoroughfare.
The report, SO far as it related to the
route proposed led to considerable discus
sion, the sense of the meeting being unan-
imous in the desire of the speedy construc-
ton of q railroad to Mt. Pleasant and the
Zoo and Rock Creek parks, although there
wa; some difference of opinion as to the
| best route. The report was, however final
ly unanimously adopted.
Against Overhead Wires.
Mr.. Nick Young offered the following res
| olution: Whereas, a bill, H. r. 573s, has
been introduced to authorize extension of
the lines of the Potomac Light and Power
Company, and, whereas, the Commission
ers have suggested sundry amendments
which are rot satisfactory to us, and which
do not give sufficient protection against
the strinSing of overhead wires in that it
is left to the discretion of the Commission
erS Without regard to the owners of prop
erty fronting on the streets along which
it is proposed to erect poles and string
overhead wires, therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That this association urge upon
Congress that the bill be amended as fol-
lows: At the end of the second paragraph
add the following: That outside of the
city limits and within the fire limits as
the same may. be fixed at the time of the
passage of this act, there shall be no over
head wires, except where the owners of a
majority in assessed value of property in
each square fronting on any street where
said company may desire to construct over
head wires may, in writing, filed with the
Commissioners of the District of Column
bia. consent thereto. the Commissioners of
said District may in such case, at their
discretion, grant permit for the erection
of overhead wires in front of such square
or squares
Satisfactory to the Company.
President Somerville, in supporting the
resolution, explained that he and President
Ballinger of the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association. had yesterday held two con-
ferences with President Oscar T. Crosby of
| the Potomac Light and Power Company,
and he submitted petition to be presented
| to Congress, In which a strong opposition
to overhead wires in the two sections was
expressed, unless the bill be amended in
conformity to the resolution offered by
Mr.. Young. The amendment is satisfac-
tory not only to Mr.. Crosby, explained Mr..
Somerville, but that gentleman had signed
an agreement In which he promised not to
erect overhead wires in the two sections
The Commissioners substitute for the Sem
ate bill Mr.. Somerville objected to, believ-
ing that 1t would amount to tho very thing
which is sought to be prevented. What
the two associations object to is the cree
ton of overhead wires anywhere within
the existing or proposed fire limits. These
| limits, he believed, will be extended north
ward to Piney Branch and Spring roads.
Street Extension Wanted.
The resolution was unanimously adopted,
and, after President Somerville had given
| notice that petitions praying for the pas
sage of the Richardson street extension
bill will be placed in Carpenter and Epp-
ley'S stores for signatures the association