Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-13
ASK FOR IMPROVEMENTS
Brightwood Citizens Association Addresses
the Commissioners
Needs of the Section Given PrOmt-
nence-Commfttcc on History APP
pointed - other Matters.

An exceptionally we'll attended meeting OF
the Brightwood Avenue Citizens Associa-
ton was held last night in the hall at
Brightwood. This was the second meeting
held under the presidency of Mr. Louis Z.
Shoemaker. After the forrnalites of open
ing the association elected the following
new members: Charles A. Newman, Jacob
Xander, Erskine NJ. Sunderland, Reeves T.
Strickland and David o. Sunderland.
The more important subjects discussed
during the evening were improved street
railway service extension of gas lamp SER
vice and mains on Brightwood avenue, the
general Improvement of that thoroughfare
and the proposed establishment of a park
in Brightwood. President Shoemaker read
a letter from Captain Beach, the Engineer
Commissioner of the District, relative to
this park, and offered upon conclusion of
the epistle a resolution appointing COM
mittee of three to confer with the Com
missioners regarding the location Of the
reservation. The resolution was adopted,
There was much discussion as to the rela~
tive merits of several locations, a majority
of the speakers favoring old Fort Stevens.
Receives Encouragement
An encouraging letter from Superntend-
ent Hall of the Brightwood Railroad Com
pany was read by the secretary of the as
ISOLATION. The communication was in Re
Spouse to a letter addressed Mr.. Hall by
the association asking improved service.
Mr.. Shoemaker presented a handsomely
bound book in which it is proposed to
preserve record of resolutions adopted
by the association and clippings from the
press of the District.
The president appointed a historical COM
mittee, with Mr.. W. Y. Cox as chairman,
the duty of which will be to collect and
preserve for the benefit of the Brightwood
association general history of that sec
ton of the District of Columbia. The COM
mittee will conduct its work along the
lines followed by the Historical Society of
the District.
Mr.. s. Carroll Chancellor, a citizen of
Virginia. and member of the town coun-
Gil of Leesburg, addressed the association,
earnestly advocating continued public i'm
provementS in the District. He promised
as a constituent of the senators and repre-
sentatveS from his state, to urge liberal
policy in behalf of such improvements.
A letter from Thomas Blagden, mem
Der was read. In his letter Mr.. 8lagden
thanks the District Commissioners for the
new gas lamp on Piney Branch road, and
face of that highway. He suggests, how
ever, that the dangerous gullies on either
side be remedled.
Letter to Capt. Beach.
A letter was read. adopted and ordered
sent TO Captain Lansing II. Beach, Engi-
neer Commissioner of the District of Column
bia, which was in substance as follows:
1T is the desire of the Brightwood titi-
zens' Association to direct your attention
to Brightwood avenue in three respects.
First AS to the roughness of its sur
face which has been in many places until
very recently rendered dangerous from Sc
we're depressons and holes. This road Is
perhaps first in Importance II compafea
with the country roads of the District, and
we have hundreds of acres and miles Oh
territory owned by peop-e VINO pay taxes
east and west thereof, which territory Is
only inadequately provided with road Ia
cilities and through which there Is no gem
eral or leading public highway directly to
and from Washington city
Second. We respectfully invite your at
tention to the deporable condition OF the
railway tracks and the roadway immediate
ly adjoining them. These electric car
tracks are very much neglected py the
Brightwood Railway Company.
Third. We are forced to mention the
absolutely dangerous condition of this ave-
nue. for purposes of travel at night oy
reason of inadequate lighting facilities on
some portions thereof, and the total abb
sence of light by either gas OF electricity
on that section north of Piney Branch
road. To this feature we desire TO re-
specially direct your attention with every
degree of force possible, because We are
prepared to say, from personal experience,
that those who have to use this road at
night are In great danger of loss of life, by
reason of the absence of adequate gas
lamps or electric lights. If the electric road
did not occupy more than one-third the
original space of this avenue it would not
only be safer by reason of increased width,
but the serious disadvantage occasioned by
the glare of the headlights from approach
ing cars would not exist
The letter was signed by Louis p. Shoe
maker, president.
Those Present.
Among those present last night were
Messrs. Charles Coney, Robinson, E. A.
Newman, Felter, DR.. c. G. Stone, Schlos
Ser T. W. Lay T A. Law 7 A. Lay IT,