Evening star., 1898-12-16
ADVOCATE IMPROVEMENTS
Citizens of Northwest Suburban Subdivisions
Petition for Parks and Schools,
Addresses by Representative Citizens
Proposed Union of Effort to Sc
cure Attention of Congress.

| the question Of Improvements in those sub
| urban sections. particularly the establish
ment OF public parks therein and the erec-
| ton OF more school buildings. The meeting
| was quite a representative one. and the
| questions We're enthusiastically discussed.
| Mr.. c. s. Bundy, chairman of the Columbia
! Heights Citizens Associations committee
on public buildings and parks. under whose
! auspices the meeting was held, presided,
| and addresses were delivered by Mr.. VIM.
| F. Mattingly, the Rev. George F. Dudley,
MRS. John A. Logan, Mr.. Chaplin Brown,
MI. N. r. ODonoghue. Mr.. Leo Simmons.
| Mr. w. w. Brown and Mr.. ]. 8. Mccall
mont.
Mr.. Bundy explained that the subject of
parks has received the earnest attention of
| the people of Columbia Heights for the past
TWO years: The people were greatly ASSIST
ed IN their efforts to secure the establish
ment OIL parks in the section by the then
engineer Commissioner, Maj. Black, who
| INDUCED MS associates to recommend two
pubilc parks, one at 14th street and Column
bia road, and one on 18th street. Those
parks We're contained in the plan of the
11rst section of the Commissioners plan for
highway extension. but when Congress re-
pealed the highway act last summer that
plan failed, of course. and the people of
me section now renew their demand for
such breathing places and places of recre
alton.
The speaker referred to the rapid growth
OF the section, stating that its marvellous
advance warns the people that un ess some
thing Is soon done the establishment of
parks in the locality will become impossi-
pie There are, south of Florida avenue, 301
parks, large and small, and their area of
| 400 acres means 10S4 acres in every square
mile of the CITY, If equally distributed In
the mile square in which Co umbia Heights
are located there is not an acre of park
space. Next to school sites nothing is more
important to the people, particularly the
little people, than parks.
Delightful Section.
Mr.. Bundy then introduced Mr. VIM. F.
Mattingly, who said that, while he had not
come to make an address, he was glad to
be present and do all he could in behalf
Of the section. No more attractive or more
delightful, section exists in the District
than Columbia Heights The establish
ment of public parks needs argument.
Tor every one recognizes that they amount
to a real public benefit, He said the people
should call the attention of Congress to the
fact that the section and the county badly
need parks. Their establishment should be
urged in every way, and the question ag-
tated until Congress recognizes the just
ness of it and provides the desired improve
ment The members of both houses of Con-
gress believe that the national capital
should be the grandest on earth, and are
not as loath to make it so as some people
imagine.
Mr.. Dudley, the next speaker said the
grandest, the most beautiful city is the one
In which the care of the children is the first
consideration. He referred to the crowded
dirty and sitting great cities of the land,
and contrasted them with Washington. Yet
ne said the time is coming when the open
spaces in the city Will be less than they
are, and he urged the taking of time by the
forelock and setting aside now of sites for
both parks and schools. 1t is not only those
who have means that are benefited by
parks, but also the poor, particularly the
latter, who, perhaps, have greater right to
demand such places.
An oversight.
Mr. Chaplin Brown next spoke. saying
that Columbia Heights and Mount Pleas
ant were scenes of his childhood and he
entertained the deepest regard for both
He therefore was glad to be present and
assist III every way to further their inter
ests.
No more beautifully, no more wisely
planned city that Washington exists or
ever existed: but th"se who planned it
stopped, unfortunate at Boundary street
He regretted that the recent plan Of high
way extension failed, for he regarded it as
grand and needed scheme Now the mis-
fit subdivisions must be corrected, the city
extended plecemeal and the people should
see that Congress continues it. He feared
however, that it will never be done if the
people insist that the United States shall
bear one-half the expense. He favored the
establishment of parks and the building of
schools wherever and whenever possible
agreeing that the sites should be provided
for at the earliest moment, for DELAY is
both dang and expensive. He also "a
vored the setting apart of large grounds
for the schools.
Mrs. LOgan's Views.
Mrs. John A. Logan was prevailed upon
to say something. and she referred to what
Washington was when she first knew it,
which, she admitted. was quite a long time
ago. But she was very happy to say 1t is
not what it was and to the fact that it is
now the most beautiful city in the land If
not in the world, may be found the failure
of the attempt to move the capital. She re-
GREETED that the original plan of the city
has not been extended beyond Florida ave-
nue., and trusted that 1t yet will be- and
that this great government will not only
provide more parks and more and larger
school sites. but also an Executive Man
sion in keeping with the dignity and posi-
ton Of the country. In this connection she
referred TO the fact that the Districts
most beautiful and extensive park, that of
the Soldiers Home. is due to the American
soldier. Mrs. Logan said she has never
hesitated to advocate promotion of the
beauty and grandeur OF the national capi-
tai, and she predicted that Congress will
not fail to do its share.
Plea for More Schools.
Mr.. NJ. F. O'Donoghue, the chairman of
the committee on schools of the Columbia
Logan, making an earnest plea for more
schools in the section and larger grounds
around them. The section stands in great
need of them, he declared, and he trusted
that hereafter the schools will stand in a
block of ground. The section sadly needs
three more schools, one of which should be
the northern high school, and he agreed
that it would be most wise to purchase
school sites now. both bee ause the land can
now be purchased cheaper and because
larger sites are now obtainable.
Mr.. Leo Simmons, president of the CO.
lumbia Heights Citizens Association, fol-
lowed in like strain. saying that he is a
great advocate of fresh ar and plenty of it
He counseled united effort in the mat
ter, did Mr. Brown and Mr.. McCalmont.
who followed him.
In the matter Of complaints made against
the Mechanics Enterprise Athletic Club
Az and M streets southwest, the Commits
sioners have informed the complainants
that a liquor license has been refused the
organization by the excise board.