Evening star., 1897-06-02
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CTruzES.
Animated COlloauy mt a Meeting a,
the AasOciat tfou

The meeting of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association at st. Stephens Hall
last evening was a rather brief one hut
during the session there was a miniature
Tom Reed-Jerry Simpson time, President
M A. Ballinger enacting the role OF the
man from Maine. and Mr. Leo Simmons
taking the place Of the alleged sockless
statesman.
Mr. simmons owns property on Kenyon
street. anu another property owner on
that thoroughfare, Mr. Calhoun had Of
fered resolution directing that the as
sociation request the District Commission
ers to insert in their estimates for NEXT
year an appropriation of $4,000 for the
improvement of Kenyon street between 7th
and 14th streets Several members SUM-
ported the resolution. in brief remarks but
President Ballinger suggested that IL would
be practically useless to ask for such a
large amount for any one street explain.
ing that only about $4,000 had been ex-
pended for the Improvement OF all streets
between Florida avenue and Columbia
street. He advised that a smaller sum be
asked for. or that the amount be left TO
the discretion of the District authorities
BY close vote-4 to 5-the motion was
defeated, when Secretary Simmons offered
resolution asking for the Improvement
or the street, but emitting to mention any
sum, although putting the item at the head
OF the estimates 1t was then that Mr..
Leo SINNERS. with not a little warmth,
complained that the association was SUBJ
ject to the cne-man power. II appeared,
he declared, that whenever the president
of the association opposed any motion or
project, the members, for some reason or
other, sat mute and offered no opposi-
tion to his wishes. IL that thing was TO
continue, he said, the association would
better disband, for no one would be able
to get anything urless the president OF the
association she uld first approve il. He had
been told that 1t has got so that a request
from this association has the same effect
on the District authorities that the shak-
ing of a red flag in the face of a bull has
on that animal. He had also been told that
at the District building it was now be-
lieyed that the members of the association
never knew what they wanted. ., ...
President Ballinger made no effort to In
terrupt Mr.. Simmons, but when he had
concluded, quietly remarked that he had
never attempted to dictate In any matter
before the association and was surprised
to learn that members had fallen so low
as to be commanded by any one man. He
referred to his efforts last year, on behalf
of Kenyon street, which had been neglected
by the association as well by the District
authorities. and remarked that Mr.. Sim
mons remarks were as ungracious as they
were uncalled for.
The secretary's motion then prevailed.
after which Mr.. Leo Simmons explained
that he meant reflection on the presi-
dent. but thought that it would be proper
for the president when opposing any mo-
tion desirir z to make any remarks to
leave the chair and take his position on
the floor. o,
Other matters transacted by the asso-
ciatiou were the adoption of a resolution.
offered by DIR. Gibbs, asking for the dedi-
cation of the lot at the northwest corner
of 14th sheet and Columbia road for a
park. and the adoption of a resolution Of
fered by DIR. Jameson. requesting the Dis
trict authorities TO open School street. q.
V. Fisher n, T. Haller and Thomas A.
Gary were elected to membership.