Evening star., 1897-04-07
EAST WASHINGTON
Important Subjects Considered at Last
Nights Meeting.
RECLAMATION OF TIE FLATS
Engineer Commissioner Black Ex-
presses an Opinion.
u q D IN nTTESTTnN
THE HARITY QUESTION

| Great enthusiasm was created at the
meeting last evening of the East Washing
ton Citizens Association by Mr.. Tracy l..
Jeffords, who, in making a report as chair
man of the committee for the reclama-
ton of the AnacoStia flats" stated that the
first practical step taken in the matter by
a member of the body which is to provide
the money to make the improvement, if it
shall be made, was initiated during the
| day by Senator Mcmillan, who introduced
| in the Senate bill to appropriate $4,000
| for the purpose of making the necessary
surveys and securing such other informa-
ton in the matter as is necessary for Con-
gress to have before the latter can adopt
| plan by which the flats can be converted
| into the great park which it is hoped some
day to have on the south side of the Ana
costa river.
The entire report made by Mr.. Jeffords
| was very interesting, but much of it has
already been published in The Star, having
| been printed subsequent to the recent meet
ing of the committee having charge of the
| subject, which took place at the city hall.
| Mr.. Jefords explained at length the steps
| which have been taken by the committee,
and said that one of the greatest difficult
ties in the way was the fact that the Ana
| costa river above the Navy Yard bridge is
| unnavigable, and that heretofore it has not
| ueSii SusloHldIS, SACtpl III uiuSudi
| stances. to appropriate public funds for the
| improvement of that class of streams.
| While Mr. Jefords was speaking Engi-
neer Commissioner Blake dropped in to the
| meeting room, and in closing his remarks
| Mr.. Jenords announced the fact
| Capt. Blacks Opinion.
Chairman Babson requested Capt. Black
| to come to the platform, which the lat
ter did, and he was given an ovation. In
response to REQUESTS frcm various men,
| bers for his opinion the subject, Capt.
| Black in effect assured those present that
| he was heartily in favor of the reclama-
| tion of the Anacostia flats, and would do
all in his power to bring the issue to a
| successful conclusion. There was, he said,
| a vast amount of information necessary to
| be secured as to ownership of property to
| be benefited and possibly some damaged if
| the proposed improvement is made. but all
of which, he thought. would be ready for
| submission to Congress when that body
| meets in regular session in December next
| Capt. Black further stated that if the
flats are reclaimed, there would be no
tsdoabt that the navy yard would become
vastly more valuable to the government
than it now Is, or has been for many
| years. as the channel would be much deep
er than at present and much larger ves-
sells would be brought there to be repaired,
if the Secretary of the Navy should SO de-
sire, than is now the case.
| Opening the Library.
At the meeting President J. w. Babson
presided and Judge o. B. Hallam was sec
retary. After the reading of the minutes
of the previous meeting of the association
were read and approved, the chair gave a
review of the work which the association
has undertaken, and said further that
he glad to be able to say that he and
the other members of the executive COM
mittee had spent part of an evening with
Capt. Black, the new Engineer Commits
SiOl.er- and all We're well pleased with him
and believed that the latter would prove
Il worthy successor to Major Powell, who
was always a friend of East Washington.
The remarks OF the chairman were made
previous to the arrival at the meeting of
| Capt. Black.
DR.. Patten, chairman of the committee
| on schools, to whom was referred the sub
ject of the opening of the new public library
at night. made an interesting address or
the subject. in the course of which he
quoted from a letter written to him or
the subject by Mr. A. T. Stewart, super.
| vising principal of public schools in the
southeastern section of the city. report
from a congressional committee on the
subject follows:
The joint committee on the library woulC
suggest the advisability of such further ap
preparations as may be necessary for the
employment of an additional force in orde,
that the library may be opened at night
for the use of the general public
DR.. Patten said he believed that if the
! agitation of the subject was continued
|
library opened at night would be success
| full.
The action of the trustees of the Cor
coran Art Gallery in opening the CALLER!
Sunday to the public would, DIR. PatteI
{ said he believed, be a powerful influence
in favor of the opening of the library. a.
many of the best people of Washington gS
to the former, and If it was not for thu
fact that the gallery is open on Sunda,
, they would never have an opportunity t.
! examine the paintings and other works o
| art there.
!, Mr. Girouard said there would be M
use for the association to attempt to ge
: any appropriation from Congress at III
extra session for the purpose of having tn
library opened at night, because 1t wa
! well understood that no important change
: would be made in the appropriation bills
. . as they have already been reported to tn
. two houses.
Cen Yoder thought it would be worth
| while to make an effort to secure the ap
pre- priation desired, especially as 1t was
!, understood by many persons that Con
= | gress would soon take up matters OF gen
: | eral legislation.
Mr.. B. W. Clark indorsed the remark:
i | of Gen. Yoder, and on motion resolution
: was adopted authorizing and requesting
! the committee on schools to call on the
proper committees in Congress and urge
7 | an appropriation for the purpose sough
D | to be accomplished whenever in the judg
: ment of the committee 1t would be proper
7 and wise to do So
Caring for the Poor.
t Gen. Yoder, from the committee OF
o health, police and charities, made tn,
statement that his committee was anxiou.
n to secure two improvements, the reclama
r ton of the Anacostia flats and the adop
ton of a plan by which the poor of tn,
E city needing aid. and who do not belong
E to any church or society, can be reached
: | and helped. Gen. Yoder recalled the fac
| that the association had adopted a pla,
= = | for dividing the city into districts, witt
: | friehdly visitors in each, and had explain
= = ed the plan to Surgeon General Stern
berg of the army, who is supposed to hav,
1 IT. iSi0 Of nhari 4,