Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-08
MBIA HEIGHTS
Gtisens Association Considers Gross Town
Railroads
Property Owners Object to TracI<s-
Referred to q C0mmitteo-Other
Business Transacted.

The question Of cross-town railroads oc-
cupied about all the time Of the Columbia
Heights Citizens' Association at its regular
monthly meeting last evening, and, as one
member put 1t, after it appeared that every
man was willing that, as In the case Of a
boil, he could better endure it on the neck
Of some other man, the whole matter was
referred to a special committee, who will
report at the next meeting Of the associa-
ton.
The discussion was precipitated by q
resolution offered by Mr.. C. g. Bundy, in
dorsing the bills now before Congress for
the extension of 18th street and New Jersey
avenue, and the measure known as the
omnibus street railway extension bill.
Mr.. Campbell opposed the laying of rail-
road tracks on streets or highways in Co.
lumbia Heights for the reason that there is
no necessity for them, and for the further
reason that public streets should not be
given up to railroads. when the companies
could purchase private right Of way fur
ther to the north of the section. where
residential rights would not be injured or
endangered. For one he wished to be
placed on record as being opposed to the
gridironing of the section by cross-town
railroad tracks.
Mr.. oDonoghue fully agreed with Mr..
Campbell remarking that If railroad
track should be put in front Of his house
he would sell out. He had come out to Co
heved ne would escape forever just such q
nuisance.
Mr.. Patrick O'Ferran said it was appar-
emf that no man wished the tracks to be
as for himself he believed that Columbia
Heights had been benefited more by rail-
roads than by anything else. and he be-
neyed. too. that the proposed system Of
railroad extension through the section
Would materially still further benefit it,
Various Propositions.
Mr.. Campbell explained that he did not
oppose street railways as rule, he mere
iy wished to point out that the cross-town
connection with the Zoo Park could he
built further north, say on Sheridan
avenue, where no residential street wou,d
be damaged. Mr.. Carr agreed with Mr.
campbell, and Mr.. Campbell moved as a
substitute for Mr.. Bundy's motion that the
association suggest that the proposed con-
Lectlon De along Sherman and Sheridan
avenues. Mr.. August Petersen, who owns
property on the latter thoroughfare. op-
posed that substitute, and moved to lay
the whole matter on the table, remarSing
tnat the scheme depended upon the extern
SION or the streets and highways, as pro-
posed under the highway act The mo
ton to table was lost, and then President
NJ. A. Baliinger took the floor, stating that
II was the curse of that section of the CITY,
between H and U streets that there is no
cross-town railroad. He believed that 1t
would be suicidal for the section to on
pose the proposed extension of street rail-
ways. ard thought that citizens should be
willing to sacrifice private interests for the
public good. Sheridan avenue he remark
ed, Is practically an alley and for one he
oid not wish to see the association ask any
railroad, however humble, to take to an
alley. He suggested that special COM
mittee be appointed, to which should be re-
1erred the whole matter, with direction 20
report at the next meeting: His suggestion
was adopted, and the following were ap-
pointed as tfe committees: President Bal
hnger and Messrs. Barr, Campbell, Sim
mons, Bundy and O'Donoghue.
Other Business.
Mr.. O'Ferrall, from the committee on
streets, reported that the committee recon-
| mended the extension of 14th street in a
straight line to the 18th street road at a
point near the old race track, just this side
| OF Brightwood, and President Ballinger ex-
planned that the District authorities had in
formed him that the pools of water On
kenesaw avenue and at other points in the
section could not be removed until they be-
came offensive to health. He believed how
ever, that If special committee was ap-
pointed to confer with the owners of the
| land on which the pools stood they would
remedy the ev4e. His suggestion was
adopted; and Messrs. Fowler. O'Donoghue
and Calhoun were appointed a committee
to act in the matter of the pool on Kene-
saw avenue. and Messrs. Mcfarland,
Bundy and Murphy as to the one on Sher-
man avenue.
Several new members were elected and
the association adjourned after approving
a bill prepared by Secretary Simmons for
menclature in the matter of the streets
and highways of the District