Evening star., 1898-12-13
EXTENDING 10TH STREET
Property Owners Interested Meet and Adopt
Resolutions,
Committee Appointed to Lay the Mat
sion Desired - Those Present.

Quite a large number of citizens and
property owners interested in the opening
and extension of 10Th street assembled at
the Majestic, 18th and Yale streets. last
evening in response to a published call.
Mr.. L. b. Townsend called the meeting to
order, and upon his request for the selec-
tion of chairman, Mr.. W. l.. Cole was
elected, Mr.. T. A. Harding being chosen as
secretary.
Upon the motion of Mr.. Townsend, the
chair was directed to appoint a committee
of five to draft resolutions expressive of
the sense of the meeting in the matter, and
Messrs. Townsend. Thos. Blagden, BENZ. P.
Davis. B. W. Holman and John B. Sleman
sr., We're appointed.
The Resolutions.
n recess was taken to await the commit
tees report, and on its appearance Mr..
Townsend submitted resolutions reciting
that it is believed that the question of
street extension is most important as
well as complex problem, and has en-
tailed great hardships upon the property
owners; that the imperative necessity of
active legislation on this measure is con-
ceded. in order to meet the immediate de-
mstndS of the city, already extended far
beyond the confines of it's original borders:
commensurate with the dignity and impor-
tance OF the capital city, with its broad
streets, parks and avenues; that 18th street
northwest, by reason of its commanding
position and Importance. forming as it
does for many miles. the eastern boundary
OF the National Park. will necessa rily be-
come the backbone of any plan of extern
SION ard eX0ansiOn; that a considerable
portion OF the unopened section of this
street has already stood the test of con-
demnation Proceedings, and a still greater
part is rendered the government in fee,
Tree OF cost, which will not stand good per-
petuaIly; that a general plan of extension
IN conformity with the plan of Washing
ton and l. Enfart is beyond the reuIire-
mentS and resources of any ordinary COM
munity and entails financial burdens he
Fohd their power to meet; that over half
the total area of the city was given orig
tnally in fee, to the general government. in
consideration of which it was to open and
improve the streets, and in accepting this
Sltt the government pledged its faith SO to
do. Without invoking pride in behalf of
the capital city or national patriotism in a
common cause. every consideration of euui-
ty and honor should impel the government
TO keep falth with its citizens, to keep these
promises and meet these obligations.
1t was resolved that the passage of A bill
providing for the opening and extension of
10Th street northwest from Morris street to
the District line be urged and that one
half the expense be charged to the United
0tdItS as PROVIDED by the law of 1878: also
that committee of five he appointed bv
this meeting to formulate and promote an
propriate legislation in consonance here
with, and having the support of the Dis
trict Commissioners.
Committee to Decide.
The report of the committee, as first re-
ported proposed that the committee of five
should draft a new bill but after a short
discussion. in which Mr.. c. C. Lancaster
and others suggested it would be safer, in
view of the short session of Congress, to
leave the question to the committee of five,
the report was therefore so amended.
Upon the motion Of Mr.. SomerviNe the
chairman Of the meeting was selected as
the chairman of the committee of five and
he was authorized to select his associates.
MeSsrs. Thomas Blagden. Z. b. Townsend
j. w. SOmerville and Louis p Shoemaker
being selected.
The features of the question were then
informally discussed, the opinion being ex-
pressed that Congress should in all fairness
to the people decide the matter one way or
the other this session.
Among the speakers was ex-senator ]. B.
Henderson. who remarked that while the
cost of the proposed extension will be great
II VIII not be as great as generally thought.
He stated that he has on all occasions
urged both District committees to stand
by the act of 1878, which declares that the
United States shall bear one-half of the
expense of the District and if the general
government was able to do that twenty
years ago it certainly should be able to do
the same thing now, when the population
has almost doubled, and when the wealth
of the country has so largely increased
But 1t might be, ne said, that the Con-
gress will not agree to bear one-half of the
expense of the opening and extension of
18th street, and if it would not, he would
be in favor of either having the District
or the peoplc owning adjoining property
bear the expense.
The remarks of Mr. Henderson were
heartily approved, and the meeting ad-
journed to meet at the call of the chair
man.
Citizens Present.
Among those present Were W. L. Cole, f.
B. Townsend, T. A. Harding. Benz. z.
Davis Thos. Blagden, John B. Sleman, ST.
B. W. Holman, j. w. Somerville, Lise S.
Lipscomb. c. c. Lancaster, L. P. Shoe
maker b. Frank Saul. Chaplin Brown.
a. II. Nixon. w. b. Quintet F. T. Bates
John Saul, w. r. Green. G. r. Wright, W.
r. Simpson, 7. II. Sypherd, Chas. Williams,
\. Zichtel. Miles Rock. w. II. Croggon, l..
S Emery and John B. Henderson.