Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-08
REPEAL THE HIGHWAY ACT
Resolution Adopted by Mount Pleasant Citi-
zens Association Last Night.
Belief Expressed That Congress VIII
Decline to Adopt Amendments
Routine Business.

Pleasant Citizens Association at the reg
ular monthly meeting last evening, direct
ing the special committee on street extern
sions to secure thu introduction In each
house of Congress of bill to repeal the
highway act of March 2. 1893, provided the
committee shall conclude, after comforting
with the board of trade and the District
Commissioners, that thera Is no probability
of the amendatory act drafted by the board
of trade becoming law at this session.
President ]. w. Somerville, on behalf Of
the executive committee, laid before the
association an Invitation from the central
committee of the Citizens Suffrage Asso-
citation to participate in the movement to
secure suffrage for the District. Mr.. SOM
erville said the executive committee was of
the opinion that it is inexpedient for the
association to accept the invitation. The
report of the committee was adopted.
From the special committee on street ex-
tensions. Mr.. w. L. Cole reported that in
his opinion nothing will be done by Con-
gress at this session to enact the amenda-
tory act Every Indication points to mac
ton by Congress, Mr.. Cole said, and he
was informed by one Of the District Com
missioners yesterday that the Commits
that Congress will do absolutely nothing
in the matter. Just why this is Mr.. Cole
did not know, although a member of the
association said he had been informed that
certain members of both District commit
tees in Congress are opposed to action,
feeling that if nothing Is done by Congress
to relieve property owners they will, in
self Defense be forced to donate the neces-
sary land.
Need of Early Action.
Whatever is the trouble, Mr.. Cole said,
sc methiDg should be done, and quickly, to
induce Congress to take action. for as the
case stands at present, land owners could
hardly be In worse plight, being unable
to either sell or mortgage their lands, and
fearing to build. Proceedings which have
effectively tied up properties have been
pending since August, 1895, ne explained,
and in simple justice to the people involved
Congress should either direct their aban-
donment or provide for the immediate pay
ment for the lands sought to be taken.
President Sonerville said he is satisfied
that both District committees are against
action at this session of Congress, one
member of the Senate committee having
told him recently that he is opposed to any
extension of streets, believing such thing
to be useless expense.
Mr. Mcpherson called attention to the
fact that II Congress adjourns without
having taken action at this session the
lands Will probably be tied up for two or
three years.
Mr. B. W. Holman said he often thought
1t had been Hbelous to speak of the ignor-
ance of representatives and senators In
District matters, but he had recently been
told by a representative from his own
ate-Wiscoasin-that he knaw absolutely
of the street extension measures.
This representative also said so little in
terest is taken in District matters that on
District day in the House it is practically
impossible to get a quorum. Mr.. Holman
referred to the injustice already done and
now being done land owners by the mac
ton of Congress in the matter of street sX-
and said the people ought to hold
Indignation meetings, burn red fire and
raise the devil in general until some
thing is done. In this matter, he said, he
IS an anarchist, and remarked that unless
the people wave the red flag the auctioneer
will.
Many Made to Suffer.
II am only one of very many said Mr..
Holman, who are suffering in the matter.
Before this street extension business was
&C mmenced the land I owned was worth
two or three times more than the incum-
brances; now / cannot induce any one to
take the lands for the amount of the trusts.
Then, again, you never seem to know just
where you are at little while ago, ac-
cording to the plans then proposed. my
house was located all right, In front of my
barn. Then the barn was placed in front
Of the house, but just now l am unable to
say whera they are. The streets should be
extended in straight lines, as far as pos
sible, and / move that the committee en-
deavor to have 18th street extended north
from Florida avenue to Columbia road"
The motion was adopted, and then, after
some further discussion, during which
President Somerville and others expressed
the opinion that the extension of streets is
dead for the present, at least, the special
committee was instructed as above stated.
President Somerville laid before the as
ISOLATION copies of the constitution and by
laws Of the central committee of the citi-
zens' associations, but the association de-
clined to participate In the proposed or
on the ground that the Mount
Pleasant Association is quite able to take
care of its own territory and interests, and
feels that the board CT trade will care for
those which affect the people generally.
Completion of kenesav Avenue.
On the motion of Mr.. Walbridge reso-
luton was adopted whereby the associa-
ton, in common with the Meridian Hill
and Lanier Heights and Columbia Heights
associations, shall most earnestly recon-
mend and urge the appropriation of $780,
300 for the full and immediate completion
Of Kenesaw avenue and Park road, believ-
ing that this improvement will receive I'M
qualified approval of the citizens OF the
District.
The association. on the motion of Mr..
resolved to enter with the
District Commissioners protest against
any sewers being laid in the village under
the permit and assessment plan.
On the motion of Mr.. Twombly, the asso-
citation resolved that the Metropolitan Rail-
road Company should be allowed the use
OF the single track route in the bill provid-
ing for the extension of the tracks of the
Capital Traction Railroad Company
through the section. The motion was Wig
orously opposed by Mr.. Nixon, however
who gave notice that he will do all in his
power to defeat any proposition to use
Park street for railroad purposes.
The association, on the motion of Mr.
Mont gomery, approved the proposition to
reduce telephone rates in the District, and
ON the motion of MIR. Jolly, decided to ask
Congress to provide for Improvement of
18th street extended from Quarry road to
Columbia road.
Worth Knowing.
II you want TO sell furniture, go to