Evening star., 1896-10-07
Citizens observation-disclosures Opera
, tions for the Year.
RECORD FOR FWRNTY SIX YEARS
The Long Fight foa Cheaper and
BetteD Gas.
SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED

ton Citizens Association after the sum
mer recess took place last night at Baum's
Hall, corner East Capitol and 4th streets
northeast. There was a good attendance
and several important matters were dis
cussed. The first business transacted was
the reading OF the report of the executive,
committee by President Babson, chairman
of the committee:
1t initiated the project, procured and
paid for the survey, and secured the ap-
preparation for and construction of the
bridge across the Anacostial river at the
foot Of Pennsylvania avenue, the opening
Of which to public travel was celebrated,
under the auspices Of the association. by
public demonstration. participated In by the
city authorities and public men, rarely ex-
celled by any similar demonstration in the
District; and. stopping not there, the off,
GERS of the association prepared and pub
lshed, with illustrations. history Of the
inception, construction and completion of
the work in a pamphlet of over one hun
dred pages, and distributed them to the
public libraries here and elsewhere es,.- ..
I'VE find that the association set on foot
the celebration of the cen tennial of the lay
ing OF the corner stone of the Capitol. The
proposition was first made in this associa-
tion on September 3, 1891, adopted by it.
and placed In the hands of a committee
who held steadily to their purpose, and in
due time waited upon the Commissioners
of the District and secured their co-opera-
tion and the calling Of the meeting at Will
lard's Hall. June Z, 1888 when it's acts
merged with those of other citizens and re-
suited in the most imposing anniversary
celebration ever seen in the District. The
history OF this event, elaborately gotten up,
anc beautifully illustrated and published
by order of Congress. was recently issued
by the government printing office
The association has identified itself with
the movement from its beginning to secure
SAFER and mere convenient entry of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad into the city
It's work in this direction has extended
over many years, and been exerted in
many directions. and, as a compromise
measure advocated the construction of a
Vladuct on Delaware avenue. The argL-
ment made before the House committee
OF the District Of Columbia March 2 AMI
March ~. 1884, at the request of the asso-
ciation, by an able member of it's commit
tee, and published by the East Washington
CltzeEs Association, on the subject CT
the " ested Rights of the Company is
one or the most valuable pieces of liter
ature upon the matters involved in this
controversy.
The association took action in regard
to the loan bill to the extent of indorsing
and supporting the proposition for a loan
sufficient to complete the system of sew
ers, as contemplated by the report of the
committee OF engineers and indorsed by the
District Commissioners, but to no greater
amount and that by the records is it's at
| titude now.
1T opposed the introduction of the over
head trolley system, and advocated the
compulsory transfer system for street rail-
ways.
These are some Of the acts of the asso-
citation that strike the eye in reviewing the
pages of its past history, but greater than
| any or these, and of more consequence to
| the people and interests of this vicinity, is
| the work which the assoeia ton has now in
| hand. and to which committee of able
| gentlemen have devoted much time and
| effort for the last two years, the reclama-
| tion Of the Anacostia fats and the deep
| ening Of the channel of the Anacostia
river. 1t took the association many years
| to build bridge; it took some years to
| work up the centennial celebration to the
| magnitude it reached. 1t may take many
| more years to reclaim these flats, and 10
| give purity Of air where impurity now ex-
| lists, but it will be done, and done through
| the efforts Of the East Washington Citizens
| Association. We never give up a project
| when committed to it. and We are COM
| mitted to this, to stay till the banks of
| the Anacostia are as healthful as the sum
| nit of our Capitol Hill. The work already
| done by your committee, which will be an
| nounced to you by its chairman, is evidence
of this
More School Buildings Needed.
- Robert ]. Hill, chairman of the commit
| tee on Schools made an Interesting re-
port detailing the improvements needed
| lney were as IOllOWS.
| More school buildings and school room
the permanent establishment upon a broat
| plane of Industrial schools; suitable pla,
grounds for school children and gymna
sums lavatories in the school or cloal
rooms: increasing the numbe. of schoo
trustees and requiring as a condition O.
appointment visitation OF the schools Ii
their school divisions.
| Following these recommendations the re
Fort presented arguments sustaining tn
same.
Water, Light and Sewers.
The committee water, light an
sewers made full report. It was fea,
by Judge o. B. Fallam and was fol
lows:
THE fight for cheaper gas, inauguratet
by member Of this association in 1884
after lolg struggle against the gas com
pany. and its attorneys, lobbyists and ex
perts and Notwithstanding the opposition
, of various members and Senators, has a
| last ultimated in success, though not a
| complete as 1t ought to be. In 1884 an In
vestigation was ordered by the House
but when the subcommittee met, it's chair
man declined to act, because he was cor
| nected with a gas company in his CIV
, | town, and consequently nothing was done
In 1886 an investigat ton was had by sui
, committee of the Senate District commit
tee. AS a result of the facts develope
e by that investigation, the gas compan
became alarmed, and to prevent action b
a | Congress reduced the price % cents pc
! | thousand, thereby effecting saving I
e the public Of about $115OOO per annum, c
g about 81, ,15O, 600 during the past ten years.
"In 1894 this association took the matte
e | up. An investigation was had before tn
f | House District committee, at which men
e | ber of your committee attended and pr'
t sented such an array of facts and figure
that although strongly opposed by SON
members of the committee and fought b
u . the gas company, bill was finally r
> > por ted fixing the price at 81. This bill WE
I | passed by the House. but was reporte
q adversely by one majority by the Sena
9 District committee. Early in the recel
= session the House, in considering the Di
8 trict bill, fixed the price Of gas at rs cent
I but while that was pending the Disyri
u committee reported, and the House aga
9 passed the dollar gas bill. In the Sena
q committee this bill was opposed by thr
3 members of the committee and bitter
fought by the gas company, through
s :-:.::++***.sa:**<:ae+H::****:
: ! DMWAN