Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-06
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PARKS
The Citizens Association Petitions for In
creased Breathing Space.
Protest Against Extra Express Fees
ed to Capital Traction Company.

The first meeting this fall of the Column
bia Heights Citizens Association was held
last evening in St. Stephens Parish Hall,
18th street near Kenesaw avenue. Presi-
dent NJ. A. Ballinger presided. and the
usual amount of routine business was
transacted.
DIR. Gibbs, chairman of the special COM
mittee appointed to secure the setting
apart of the ground at 14th street and Co
lumbia road as d park, made a report, stat
ing that the committee had filed petition
with the District Commissioners setting
forth the necessity of such a breathing
space and calling attention to the fact that
In section 1 Of the proposed plan of high
way extension there have been set apart
but twenty parks, while in the city there
are no less than 21S. The report was re-
ceived. and the committee continued, with
Instructions TO present the petition to Con-
eress. The committee was also instructed
TO secure, If possible, the setting apart of
ground at the corner of 18th and Column
bia streets, and the Mattingly and Lehman
properties, as parks.
Fees for Exprcssage.
DIR. E. NJ. Hasbrouck called attention to
what he and other members termed is an
imposition on the people Of Columbia
Heights and other sections north of Flori-
da avenue by the express companies in
charging extra for goods delivered in those
sections. He stated that nowhere else are
extra charges demanded. and he thought
that the association should take steps to
stop the practice, pointing out that people
living at the Navy Yard, three miles distant
from the center of the city, are not charged
extra fees, while the people of Columbia
Heights, but mile and half distant, are
made to pay extra
President Ballinger explained that he and
other members of the association have done
all they possibly could to secure the aboli-
ton of extra charges, but had been unsuc-
cessful, and while the agents Of the two
express companies are in favor of such a
change, 1t is apparent that only by appeal
to the directors of the companies can such
a result be obtained, II, indeed, at all. Mr..
Ballinger also asserted that people In other
cities-New York, Chicago and Philadel-
phla for instance,-are charged extra ac-
cording to distance, an assertion which other
members controverted. He stated further
that it would cost the companies at least
1890 each a year to collect between them
about 500 worth of business in all the sub
urban sections of the District.
Upon the motion of Mr.. Bundy the matter
was disposed of by the appointment of DIR.
Hasbrouck and Messrs. Campbell, Mccall
mont, Carter, Meyers, Holmead and Todd,
as special committee to investigate the
matter and secure if possible, city rates
for the Columbia Heights section.
Unsishtly Poles.
Mr.. Campbell stated that during the past
several days unsightly telegraph and other
poles have been erected on Princeton street
He believed that their erection is unneces-
sary and inexcusable, and, upon his mo-
ton, the executive committee was instruct
ed to investigate the matter.
Messrs. Hustled and Bundy each present.
ed resolutions expressive of the sympathy
of the association with the Capital Trac-
ton Company In the loss of the companys
power house. and also expressing the con-
fidence of the association in the efforts Of
the company to provide in the future the
best possible means of transportation for
the people of the section. Mr.. Husteds
resolution was adopted, the other being
Mr.. Bundy, the association approved the
Senate bill providing for the extension of
the Metropolitan road from 9th street up
Sherman avenue and through Mt Pleasant
to the terminus of the road at 18th street
and Columbia road, although Secretary
Simmons expressed little confidence in the
present management of the road. believing
that the Belt line should be encouraged to
extend its lines into that section.
Street Extension Gases.
Upon the motion of Mr.. O'Donoghue, the
executive committee was instructed to ask
the District Commissioners to lay a three
board sidewalk on Sherman avenue from
iorlua 10 w mtney avenues, and. upon the
motion Of Mr.. Bundy, the association re-
quested the Commissioners to do all In
their power toward securing disposition
of the street extension cases. that the
people may know as soon as possible what
lands are to be taken
Mr. A. j. Morning called attention to the
overcrowded condition of the Mt Pleasant
school. and he was made chairman of the
&C mmittee on education, with instructions
TO inquire into the matter and take what
ever steps should be found necessary.
The following persons were elected IN
membership: George Roadway. William Sell
by, ]. Whit Heron. Chas. H. Calvert, H.
r. Evans. A. b. Wells, John Mite hell, F.
y. Gardner, George r. Currier and George
W. Lang.