Evening star., 1897-04-13
EASTERN BRANCH FLATS
Commissioner Ross Speaks Of the Necessity
for Their Reclamation.
Delivered Before the North
citation I'm the New Temple.

have to have an elevated structure" said
Commissioner John w. Ross last night.
addressing the Northeast Washington Citi-
zens' Association. ut will have to come
he added. The terrible financial depres-
sion has delayed the matter. but the i'm
provemsnt cannot be delayed much longer
and every effort to protect life will have
to be made
These remarks coming, they did,
from ore of the Commissioners, were high
ly appreciated and loudly applauded by
the audience, which was composed of sew
eral hundred residents of the section rep
resented. The meeting, which was held in
the Northeast Temple was in the nature
Guided the families of the residents of the
northeast section. An Interesting program
for the evenings entertainment was ar
ranged by the committee having charge of
the affair. The Eolian Amateur Orchestra
and the Douglass Quartet rendered several
selections. Others who participated in the
program were Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Freer,
Miss Annietta King, Mr.. Charles E. My
ers. Weaver Brothers. DR.. Arnold. Mrs.
D. Olin Leech. Miss Elsie Blackstone and
Miss Nellie Bishop.
History of the Organization.
President Tucker during the course of
his Introductory remarks gave a brief
history of the association, "The North
east Washington Citizens Association was
organized four years ago, It's objects be-
ing to advance the interests of Northeast
Washington by securing Its general i'm
provement and to promote the welfare of
its citizens said the president, .and it
has accomplished a great deal in the four
years of its existence 1t affords the as
sociation great pleasure to welcome to
its new home so many citizens of North
eSn2ciallv q q
glad TO see that the ladies showed SO much
interest In the association, for with their
aid he realized that the association will
grow and accomplish much more. The as
sociation. he said, was formed because
there was wrong to be righted, and it
was the desire of it's organizers to protect
humanity. He spoke of the dangerous
grade crossings and referred to the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad as a 'hard-hearted
corporation that has no respect for law
and no regards for the people This cor
poration, he said, has had its tracks within
one square of the Capitol for many years,
and during the twenty years from 1872 to
1892 125 people were either murdered or
seriously injured. In 1892 the number in
creased. A prominent merchant of North
east Washington was deprived of his life
and soon afterward a little girl was kill
ed. These things caused the people to get
together and talk, and the result was the
Anti-Grade Crossing Association was FORM
ed. Its object was to abolish grade cross
ings. but the organization soon began to
grow and SO many other things were found
TO do that the association found 1t neces-
sary to broaden its work and change its
name. The association, he said, has ac-
complished a great many good things ma
terial to the interests of the people of
Northeast Washington.
If so much has been ACCOMPLISHED In
its infancy concluded the speaker, what
may We expect of 1t in its more mature
years?'
Commissioner Ross Address.
Commissioner Ross said he appreciated
to the fullest extent the good work that
had been accomplished by the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association. and he
wanted to congratulate it's members for
what has been accomplished as well as
upon their new home. The new structure.
he said, was certainly creditable to Its
promoters end accommodating to the cit-
zens. as IL will be home for all gather
ings in Northeast Washington.
Il believe in citizens associations" said
the Commissioner 'for they give the peo-
pie an opportunity to get together and
discuss their needs"
There Is a peculiar form of government
here, he said, and many lawyers think the
form cannot be changed without an amend
mept to the Constitution. The Commits
sioners are always anxious to be informed
as to the needs of the citizens, and this Is
the most practicable way in which this can
be done. He urged the members to invite
the young men to join the association.
There are no problems in life more inter-
esting than municipal problems just now,
and the young men should understand
them. All these problems, he thought,
should be debated in the committee rooms
and fully understood before they are put
before the association. For this purpose
the committees should be made debating
societies. There are many such associa-
tions, he said, and the Commissioners have
learned very much useful Information from
them. All appropriations for work, he said,
are made by Congress, and while Congress
may have it's peculiarities in integrity and
ability, 1T will compare favorably with any
other body of men. New congressman, he
said, do not always take an interest in the
District, but when they have been In Con-
gress several years they become very deep
ly interested and watch every move that is
made. The great trouble has been, he said,
that when anything is wanted the citizens
SO frequently go before Congress divided,
whereas with the assistance Of citizens as
sociations there could be harmony.
To Reclaim the Flats.
He knew Of no more important matters
than the abolition Of the grade crossings
and the reclamation of the Eastern branch
flats After referring to the abolition of
grade crossings, as stated above. Commis-
sioner Ross had something to say about
the reclamation Of the flats. The disease
breeding flats, he said, must necessarily
cause chils and fever, and the prisoners
in the Jail and workhouse, who are not
sent there of their own choice deserve a
better place to live. He said he was sur
prised to see SO many homes built in the
vicinity of the branch, where there are
few II any, municipal improvements. To
continue this disease-breeding spot much
longer, he thought, was not good govern
ment, good policy good craftsmanship,
and he was glad to see that Congress had
started to recognize the matter In discuss
Ing bill appropriating money to begin the
work
1t is a matter. he said, that affects the
health beauty and comfort of the city and
he hoped the work will soon be commenced.
1t has been the fashion. he said, to go to
Vienna. Paris, Glasgow and other foreign
cities to see the improvements, and he
hoped the time will soon come when the
people of the old world will have to come
here for their ideas. He said he had al
ways taken an interest In Northeast Wash
ington.
"A Commissioner" he said, 'is like
man with a thousand children, for there
are SO many demands upon him that he
seldom knows where he is. And / want to
say that tonight Capt. Black is the only
Commissioner who knows where he is at"
d.. Gullaudet'x, Remarks.
In introducing DR.. E. NJ. Gallaudet, Pres
ident Tucker told Of the many things he
had done, and said that his grandfather
fh h.. Of