The morning times., 1896-04-02

The citizcnsuf East Washington and those
people who live in that section OF the
District beyond the Eastern Branch, held
Il meeting last night in Haines Hall, corner
of Eighth street and Pennsylvania avenue
southeast, in Which they made Il strong
plea for rapid transit between the suburbs
and central locality, and severely criti-
Cised the Commissioners for their continued
inacton in the matter and failure TO recog-
niZc the pressing needs of this section.
1t was evident from remarks made dur
lug the meeting that conSidera hle feel
ing existed among residents Of this section
over the manner iii which they have bceu
neglected 10y the Commiss toner's, and now
they propose to go ahead and paddle
their own canoe.
1t was resolved by unanimous vote 10
petition Congress for better system or
transportation betwech AnaCoStia and
the section Immediately beyond and the
central portion of the city. This part
of the District contains about OEC-thrd
of tie suburban population Of Washing 2tOn,
and 50 far has received practically no
attention from the Commits iuncrs and has
been afforded only the mos; miserable
and antiquatcd means of transportation
to and from the city.
INSIST ON RAPID TRANSIT.
Rapid transit is their watch word and
they intend to secure it with all possible
haste. The meeting last night was that OF
earnest, thinking, business men. They
own property in that section ana pay taxes
and tniak they are entitled TO better treat
nient on the part OF those in power.
Tuesday last Senator Gibson introduced
a bill. known officially as Senate bill No.
n
Heights Traction Company. which. should
it pass, will give the citizens Of this section
needed relief. II was resolved unanimously
last night that the bill hc indurscd by the
citizens of the Southeast. ana petitions viii
be circulated for signatures and presented
to tie committees of both Houses Of Con-
gress and the Commissioners.
Mr.. +. y. Leynian offered Ia have copies
OF the resolution printed at his own expense
and circulated. At first some objection
WAS offered TO indorsing the bill before hav-
ing II read. aud quite discussion ensued.
Mr. Leyman stated that the Till as nitro
duCed by Senator Gibson designated a GER
tain Route which could later bc DETECTED
by order of tie Commissioners. He said it
had been stated by some present that they
did not care toindorsc the hill because oithis
fact and also because they were not sure
or the exact route the road would take. II
was not his intention t. take Issue with
them on this point. But Tie principal thing
was 10 get rapid transit first and take
care of the exact route aftorward.
The new road he understood. would EiYe
free transfers TO the Metropolitan system
and were willing 10 build a new bridge
across tn" Eastern Branch. He had heard
that tire Capital Traction Company would
like To extend its lines across the branch
and that there was also a Iossibiiity OF
something faster than horse cars on the
AnaCustia road somewhere III the dim, dark
future.
All this was INN ate5ia' hr said and but
side issue. What particular line crossed
the river did not make much difference SO
long as il afforded the citizens of that sec
ton better facilities OF transportation. 1t
might be any OF the tire. lines mentioned.
bat they must have rapid transit nd Ina We
ii quick.
Mr.. George L. 7. Stevenson, secretary Of
the meeting, also spoke in favor of the
resolution. He said that from the man
ner IN which that section Of the District
had been neglected it was au open queS-
tion whether the Comm isSi0ners intended
to do anything for them at all. In the
past these gentlemen had confined their
efforts toward improving tha section Of the
city In which they personally owned prop
erty and had not given the south beast their
share.
We want rapid transit within sixty or
ninty days he continued. ''aud the voice
of tn" people amounts to a great deal II ore
than the ruling Of a few men. The Con-
miSSioncrS say that new road Will not
pay becduS" the present Ole does not But
! for one have worn out a great deal Of
shoe leather rather than ride on second
hand cars which the people OF Baltimore
must have used before the flood
AN electric or cable road will paw
because one-third OF the suburban popu-
lation OF the District lives in this section
and more will come when better trans
portation Is given them.
BUILD THE ROAD FIRST.
THE day has gone by when railroads
are built where the people are. They
build the railroads first and the people
come aftcrwa rd. We must push this
matter until we get it through We must
keep petitloning and petitioning untT
some action is taken, and if needs be We
must find some way to compel the Com
miSsioners to grant our Demands
Mr.. Stevenson's remarks were loudly
applauded and the resolution providing
for the circulation of petitions was at once
passed. A committee of five, consisting
of Mr.. ID. 5. Fountain. chairman of the
meeting Mr.. +. A. Leyman, Mr. K. T.
Bradbury, and DR.. A. n. Green, was ap-
pointed to take charge of the movement.
They were empowered to call further
meetings and delegate others TO help them
In securing slgnerS TO the petition. Funds
were provided for carrying on the work
and the meeting adjourned amid cousid-
cradle enthusiasm.