The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-08-17
THE k-sTREET NUISANCE
lis Abatement Demsnded by a
Citizens Committee.
LADIES INSULTED DAILY
some Of the Disgrrceful Scenes Eli
acted by Gang of Toughs ana
Lnwbreakers-Wha the Neigh
bors Say of the Continuing Out
RACES Promises OF Reform.

The climax IN the history of the wagon
stand IL the. corner of Seventh and h
streets was probably reached yesterday
afternoon in @ disgraceful riot among the
divers, in which brickbats, stones. curses
and obscene language flew fast an furious
to the imminent danger OF life an limb and
the possible destruction of the peace and
good reputation of the neighborhood.
This morning Il comInittee, representing
nearly every property holder. resident and
business in the nefghborhood, called on
Commissioner Ross and Major Moore with
e. Ong protest and a request that The
nuisance lie ai.a,ed The result will
probably be the removal OF the stand
This stand, which has been at its pres
ent place TO. many years, is recognized not
only by the people in the vicinity, tut by
everybody who has occasion to pass down
X or Seventh streets detestab,e and
unmitigated nuisance. The drivers and
their friends seem TO have no respect for
the police They congregate in large num-
bers three or -four u "A wagon in the streets
and on the pavement, stick their whips in
peoples faces, swear, play quoits, shoot
crap. make vile remarks to the ladies who
pass. and throw bricks and dirt at each
other and the passersby.
The result OF this condition OF things
is thai people are afraid TO pass, and go
around by Massachusetts and New York
avenues; business On street is badly in
jGred, and residents are moving away.
A favorite amusement of the drivers is
whip races up and down the street. They
s.art at Fifth, eight or ten wagons TO-
eesher, ana race at full speed to SeTenth,
whipping their tired animals ana telling
at the top of their voices Twenty or
thirty loafing negroes greet the winner at
the end OF the race with wild shouts of
approval
HIS william II. Thomas, of 625 X street.
Il resident and property holder. is one of
the people who is complaining. Recently
her father was very sick, and these races
and other features OF tho nuisance were
a constant menace to his life The nuse
was somewhat ssated al the time by call
ing in the police, but Al is now worse than
ever
Tae treatment of ladies passing down
street has been especially objectionable.
The men make vommentsi ia loud tones and
in very bad language. Ladies never pass.
down the street now except b. aco-
dent, when they do Lot know the neigh
borhOod. When they do they take the
north side and hurry through as If the
street We're plagu spot.
This condition of Things has been growing
worse and worse. Several complaints nave
been made in former years, but the result
e h..
always only a Temporary abatement OF
the worst features of the trouble. Last
year petition was sent to the Commission
ers signed by nearly every business man
within a block. For a few weeks things
were better. hut that was all.
The wagon men do not even observe the
few simple rules that the regulations pre-
scribe for them. Ii H. provided that not
mere than fifteen wagons should be 10
Gated Un the street, but il is stated by
people in the neighborhuod that sometimes
there are twenty or twenty-five. They
line up clear to Seventh sire ct, which is
also against the rules, a nd they stand their
wagons ON both sides of the street, another
ihfrin eInent.
Several of the business men in the
neighhoThoed were interviewed by
Times reporter this morning about the
matter.
Mr.. SturDph, the manufacturer, said
My businessis hurt every day. consider
the stand an outrage. People are afraid 10
pass through X street.
Mr.. LOwenthal, whose business is at the
corner of Seventh and K, said THE
nuisance is growing worse every day
Nothing that YOU can say for NE is too
strong My business is badly injured"
hr. Louis Ilartig, the hardware dealer. |
Was not at his place of business, but one |
Of mis- clerks said that Mr.. Hartig was |
very much opposed TO the stand, and be |
lieved il an abomiuable outrage. |
Mr.. Woodruff. at $50 X street, says that |
ais business is injured aud he believes the |
Il and ought to be moved
Mrs. William II. Thomas. or 625 x |
street, saws that The stand is a menace to /
ife and limb, and Continual shock to any |
Decent wonan's sensiIiil:ties.
Several other merchants and residents in /
he nciphiorl,ood Were interviewed and
hey all agree a. To The character of the
stand. ara in their belief that il should ne
The coz mittce which visited ia Tor Mo9re
ihis morning received d promise from hin! /
hat so.pe;;ing shall Ice done inlmedia .ely.
lie said 60 the committee:
Il know that the stand is a nuisance
We have had many complaints of it ana /
have observed IL myself. The people in
he neigiborhuod have right to com
,lain AID right to the abate ment of the
iisgraceful condition Of aft airs
Commissioner Ross also promised the com.
nittee that he will confer with Major
Moore, and that some step viii be taken