Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-06
COL U M B.l>A H&IG HIT S
The Associations Final Decision Regard.
ing Street Railways
The Old Officers Reelected and other
Important Business Transacted
An Open Meeting.

At the regular monthly meeting of the
Columbia Heights Citizens Association last
evening, President M. A. Ballinger was
unanimously reelected, was Vice Presi-
dent L. P. Williams, Secretary George
Simmons and Treasurer Christian G.
Schneider. The matter of street railroads
in the section was finally disposed of, dol
lar gas was unanimously approved, cheaper
and better telephones were asked for, a
public meeting decided upon next month
and many other matters considered and dis
posed of.
The first matter considered was that of
cheaper gas rates, Mr.. c. M. Campbell call
ing attention to the fact that the House
bill providing for dollar gas was as he
thought, likely to be defeated in the SEN
ate by inaction. He offered the following
resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, in the unanswerable report on
the subject of gas the Commissioners rec
commended net price of 80 cents, and the
payment by the gas company into the city
treasury of one-half of the compapy's
profits above per cent on the original
stock; and whereas, the House passed a
bill with the price raised 60 one dollar net
therefore, be it resolved, that this associa-
ton express its strongest dissent to the
action OF certain members of the Senate
in seeking to raise the price established by
the House, which is already higher than
the people should be required to pay, and
that we earnestly deplore the evident in
tentlon on the part of some of those in
authority to Kill the bill by inaction.
Mr.. Fowler and Mr.. Bundy, from the spe-
cial committee on pools of stagnant water
on kenesaw and Sherman avenues, re-
ported that the evils would soon be re-
moved.
Street Railways.
The special committee on the matter Of
street railroads in the section was then
called upon for a report, when Chairman
O'Donoghue reported that the committee
| In endeavoring to practice the golden rule
had been compelled to change front on the
matter SO often that he was compelled to
ask for further time. Another member Of
the committee, Mr.. Barr, remarked, how
ever that he was not little surprised to
hear the statement of the chairman. The
committee, as he understood the matter,
had agreed upon report and he asked
that that report be submitted. Mr.. O'Far-
rell and Mr.. Petersen thought that the
matter should be dropped, and the latter
moved to lay the whole matter on the
table. The motion did not prevail, how
ever and the committee retired in an eff
fort to get together. They were gone some
| time, and when they returned reported that
they unanimously recommended that any
cross-town route in the section run north of
either of the proposed routes on Kenesaw
avenue or Columbia road. Mr.. ODonoghue
explained that a route was desired by the
people which would give an entrance to
the Zoo and Rock Creek Parks by way of
Sherman avenue Morgan street, Spring
road and 18th street. Mr.. O'Farrell thought
that the committee was endeavoring to
dodge the question of street railroads in the
section, and he thought that the association
should not put itself on record as opposed
to street railroads. Mr.. Petersen again
moved TO lay the whole matter on the table
but once more the motion was defeated
and then the report of the committee was
adopted. T... ,.
Upon the motion of Mr. A. S. Browne
Messrs Browne. Cotton and Jemison were
appointed a committee to confer with the
Capital Traction Company in the matter of
transfers He stated that until recently
the company gave transfers from 14th street
to u, and then from u street to down It'll
But that has been stopped. because, as the
company claimed. the privilege was greatly
abused, as many as 1909 people making
continuous circuits the line, especially
on Sundays. -..,- lt.t tn,.r 80. -.
Upon the motion of, Mr. Petersen, the
president of the association was requested
to take the necessary steps to defeat the
bill recently introduced in the Senate, pro-
posing to grant permission to electric power
companies to erect poles and wires in the
county. - no.
President Ballinger suggested that the
next meeting of the association, the first
Tuesday in June, be made a public one
when prominent men shall be invited to
! make brief addresses. refreshments served
and ladies specially invited to attend. The
suggestion was adopted, and Messrs. Hes
ton, Tanner and ODonoghue were appoint
ed committee to make the necessary ar
rangements.
Mr.. Thos. J. LASER called attention to
the passage by the Senate of a bill ex-
tending the regulations as to party walls
| to the entire District. He thought the mat
| ter unconstitutional, and also inexpedient,
| and moved that the association disapprove
| Of the bill. Mr.. Browne, however moved as
a substitute that the association indorse
q rInYNxy <nf fhn ,hcft f,fn
be sent to Congress, and the substitute was
| unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Petersen, calling attention to what
| he believes is an exorbitant charge for
| telephones here. the service, he claiming,
| being far from satisfactory, he and Messrs.
Calhoun and Stone were appointed COM
mittee to take steps to secure cheaper rates
and better service.
| Upon the motion OF Mr. James Lansburgh
committee Of three was appointed to Sc
! cure the extension of the building regula-
| tons restricting the erection Of buildings
| higher than the width of the street to Co
| lumbla Heights. Messrs. Lansburgh, San
ner and Jones were appointed as such COM
mittee.
A petition being presented asking the
| association to prevent the further use of
| the dumps Sherman avenue. which, 1t
| was explained, are terribly offensive be-
| cause of the sickening odors. the association
ment Of the evil.
| After the election Of J. c. Parker, Jesse
| C. Ergood, H. H. Jones' E. B. Jones and
| Harvey Spalding to membership President
| Ballinger vacated the chair, and the annual
| election of officers took place. In returning
| his thanks for the honor conferred upon
| him, President Ballinger spoke Of the sue
| cess attained by the association in secur-
| ing city rates for the delivery Of kilograms
| and express matter. the defeat Of overhead
! wires in the section, the successful oppos-
ton to the contagious hospital, and remark
| ed that the wonderful success of the asso-
citation was due to the fact that It's MEM
bers worked together, forgetting individual
desires.