Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-09
A LIVELY MEETING
Northeast Citizens Congratulate
Themselves Over Cheaper Gas.
OTHER HELPFUL MEASURES PRAISED
Keen Criticism of Attorney Thomas
and the Commissioners.
POINTS IN THE DEB ATE

Last nights meeting of the Northeast
Washington. Citizens Association was not
largely attended, but those who were pres
ent did their share of rejoicing over the
passage of the gas and library bills, al
though the gas bill was not ali that was
wanted Members of the association, how
ever, were thankful for what vas done,
and have hopes of getting other matters of
interest TO the people fayCrably acted upon
by the next Congress. President Tucker
said it was gratifying 10 him to note that
the gas bill had been passed and signed.
While it was not the one wanted by the
Commissioners, it was a compromise be
tween the gas company and the Senate
committee. Under the new bill he said
there will be an average saving TO the
consumers during the next five years of
s14poOO and after the expiration of the
five years the saving Will amount to about
S2un,0tO annually. He said that the citizens
will not be able to get any furtf er Teduc
ton for number of years. The president
told OF the action Of the ASSOCIATION III
the matter of making the fight for cheaper
gas and said that il the only citizens
association that was represented at every
hearing. The result Of the passage of the
bill, he said. is largely due to the active
interest taken in the matter of this asso-
citation.
Mr. Miller. who fully realized the bene-
bill, said he desired to have the secretary
read an editorial from tn" Star, which
presented the matter in plain and SUBJ
stantlal waV. The editorial vas read.
'All the statements contained in this edi-
torial true" said resident Tucker.
It's easy CROUCH for us to understand ali
about it, but of course Senators cannot
understand what it all mems
Following reference to the library bill the
president said he wished something could
be done to increase the police force. The
compromise bill, ne said, gives increase
of twenty-five men instead of the 10 that
We're asked.
And" he sail. 'ft's an outrage when
we think of the criInes that are being
committed in Ike suburbs, where there Is
perhaps only ore policeman tc cover sew
eral miles"
Neglect of the Northeast.
Reference was also made to the appro-
priatior for street improvements, and it
was stated that the amount seemed to
decrease each year. Complaint was made
of the money expended in the suburbs in
the northwest, when there are so many
Unimproved streets in the rCrtheast sec
ton The city, the president said IS being
neglected, while the suburbs Of the north
west are being improved, and these items
are chiefly put IL by members. There could
lie no railroad legislation this season. The
Commissioners, he SAID. favor the plan of
the association, and he thought the report
which will be made early next session
Will be satisfactory to the people here.
Mr.. Martin deDlored the action of Con-
gress in falling 10 make any provision for
the completion O. the LyGelker tunnel,
which he considered & gross outrage and
II Justice. He said he understood that there
was money which might have been used
for this purpose, but which could not be
used without authority from Congress.
Dangerous Grade Crossings.
Chairman Frizzeu of the railroad COM
make. but he desired to say that the Court
of Appeals had decided that the act of the
legislature requiring a fagman at each
crossing had been repealed by the act of
1sSi giving the Commissioners power 10
make police regulations. He said that his
committee had been making effort TO see
the Commissioners and have some action
taken regarding the crossings. The Com
mlSSlOLerS, however, had been busy about
the Capitol during the closing days of Con-
gress. and they could not pay proper at
teEtIOn 10 the matter. Soon after the adj
journment OF Congress, he thought, the
matter would be fully considered and proper
action taken. He realized the great i'm
pOrtaECe TO the citizens generally of hav-
ing these dangerous crossings guarded, and
In light of the decision of the Court of APP
peaIs he thought no trouble Will be
cOuntered when effort is made 10 have
some regulations enacted.
Attention vas called to the failure of the
United states government TO remove from
reservation III the railroad track and der
rick, and make 1t a public park, as it ap-
pears on the District plat books. Some
members of the committee had made an
failed.
Put" said President Tucker, after the
adjournment Of Congress 1 think We will
get his ear
Why not get his leg?" Mr. Weller
asked.
I'm not a gas company" replied Pres-
dent Tucker.
The special committee appointed to con-
slider the question of erecting large hall
In the northeast section made a report
and those interested will hold a meeting
next week. 1t was generally thought that
the proposed building should be made a
market house and hall.
Attorney Thomas Criticised.
President Tucker said he desired to make
his final report on the question of employ
ing an attorney to assist in presenting to
the courts the case involving alleged vio-
lations of law by the railroad company
''In Short he said. the association de-
sired something which We haven't, an at
torney for the District"
He said that the responses made by Mr..
Thomas contained nothing and one of his
reports was so offensive 20 the association
that the Commissioners would not forward
It. 1t may be, he said, that the Commits
-
If this is what IS intended there IS no need
of the appointment of an assistant attor-
ney, but II such is not the intention OF the
Commissioners then attorney should be
appointed, for there are cases pending in
court which in all probability viii not be
tried.
This seems to be a case of the people
be d, said Maj. Burke. who declared Mr.
Thomas, the attorney for the District does
not intend to DO anything. and it was his
Idea that the Commissioners were back of
him. So far as he was concerned he could
not see why the District Commissioners
should have refused the offer of an at
torney's services. He favored the passage
OF resolution asking the Commissioners
to cali for the resignation of Mr.. Thomas
for ineficiency, for, he said, he has never
done anything, especially for the people of
the northeast.
MIR. Frizzell said he thought resolution
sent to the Commissioners might have some
weight.
Yes" said Maj Burke, they Will write
US a letter.
Continuing. Maj. Burke said he had block
ed the Commissioners in their efforts to get
certain measures through Congress- and
so long as he has so many friends there
they never will get them through
Mr.. ChnppeII in Defense.