Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-24
BRIGHTWOOD AVENUE.
Meeting Suggested to Discuss It's
Proper Improvement.

Proper Improvement.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
1 read the communication of Mr. Louis
P. Shoemaker addressed to the District
Commissioners, as published in your paper
on the 21st instant. At the time thought
it best to wait and see what rejoinder
might be Forthcoming from the parties
most interested in the subject matter of his
communication, but as I have heard moth
ing and as the matter seems to me of such
vital Importance to so many individuals
and the public generally, 1 shall attempt
to shed some light upon the subject, that
the citizens may be spared unnecessary
alarm and worry of mind.
Taking up Mr.. Shoemaker'S questions
seriatim. he asks first: Have the District
Commissioners consented to turn Bright
wood avenue over to a street railroad COM
pany?' Certainly not. But they are using
every available means (as I understand iD
to force the Brightwood Railway Company
to reconstruct and properly equip it's road
in accordance with the requirements of its
original charter, and that at the urgent de-
Eland of the citizens living along the route.
Second, Can it be true that all privileges
shall be accorded this corporation and moth
ing reserved for the taxpayers and land
owners and the driving public?'' This ques-
ton seems to me to be covered In my an
swer to his first Interrogation.
The Commissioners have conceded to the
railroad company nothing more than It's
charter called for; yet they have compelled
it to change its grade and widen the dis
lance between it's tracks for the preserva-
ton of life and limb. to which can testify.
This has been demanded by the Commits
sioners in the interest Of the travelling pub
lie on account of the numerous accidents
due to the closeness of the cars to the
trolley poles. Now, as have said In part,
the Commissioners, as well as the company.
are doing what seems best for all parties
bod fV thn r,f
other public improvement. they are COM
PEELED to incommode the public temporarily,
trying sometimes the patient forbearance
of the citizens.
friend Mr.. Shoemaker. who. unfortunately,
is located right at that portion of the ave-
nue. which Is most narrow and along which
gas lamps have not yet been placed, max
ing it particularly dangerous for night
driving; but the patrons of the railroad
earnestly beg that in the reconstruction OF
this much-used and necessary railroad all
delays be avoided. 1t Is hoped that the
property owners will clearly appreciate
the great need of the widening of Bright
wood avenue as contemplated by the Com
missioners. and the scheme of permanent
Improvement of the driveways on either
side of the railroad tracks l am informed
that the Commissioners propose to lay Bel
gian block on both sides next to the curb
ing for heavy hauling, and asphaltum abut-
ting the railroad tracks. thereby giving
a smooth one for light carriages and bicy-
cles. This ccntemplates. of course, the OBJ
tanning of sufficient ground on either side
of the present sXty-foot roadbed to enable
the Commissioners to widen the road to
ninety feet. 1 hope those parties who have
large tracts of land abutting upon this
avenue will show themselves as generous
and public-spirited as the small holders
who have already in many instances do
mated for this purpose the requisite amount
of ground. Certainly those having larger
acreage should do so, as they will receive
the greatest benefit from such an improve
ment On the east side of the avenue the
ground has been donated to the District by
the Petworth syndicate, the Marshall
Brown property owners and also the syndl-
cate that has built up Brightwood Park.
Ex-Mayor Emery donated his whole front
to a depth Of about fourteen feet for this
purpose. and now enjoys as a result a beau
tiful granoiithic pavement with curbing
and trees planted the whole distance of
the walk which is the delight Of the chill
dren and comfort of the pedestrians of
Brightwood and Brightwood Park both
winter and summer. My neighbor, Mr.. w.
E. NaIley. and the Moses heirs, with my
self, have agreed to make the donation of
the necessary land on our side (wesD of
the road if the. property owners would join
us in like donations.
Now, I suggest to Mr.. Shoemaker and his
other friends that a meeting be called at
the Brightwood Hall at an early date to
discuss this question with view to reach
ing some amicable agreement with the Dis
trict government well as to give to our
Maryland producers the kind of road that
will delight them upon reaching our bor-
ders.
This Is written in a spirit of fairness to
all, and hope The Star will join US in this
good work, as 1t Is noted for aiding the
right movement. I feel that your personal
good wishes must dictate such a course. At
any rate do not let us throw any delays or
obstructions in the way of the rapid COM
MI of ~
ances that my friend. Mr.. Shoemaker, so
Justly complains Of may be speedily done
away with. mean the annoyances are real
and patent to everybody, but the Commits
sioners and the railroad company are not
to blame. for those are natural sequences
to the improvement and reconstruction Of
the railroad and roadbed. Let us have our
meeting and call it the Mutual Benefit So
ciety of Brightwood Avenue and Vicinity"
We can benefit ourselves, the citizens Of
Montgomery county, Md. and of the city
of Washington only by working together in
harmony. c. O. STONE.
lcf