Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-10
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Northeast Citizens Elect Officers for
Ensuing Year.
TAXATION EXEMPTION DISCUSSED
Railroad Crossing Obstruction
Comes in for Criticism.
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED

At last nights meeting of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association the an
nual election of officers took place result
ing in the reelection of the present Of
ficers. as follows: Evan II. Tucker presi-
dent: Maj J. Il. Burke. vice president: s.
Sowerbutts. secretary: J. r. Colvin, finan-
cial secretary: A. II. Holster. treasurer
The members of the executive committee
are w. j. Frizzell. N. l.. King. II. II. Martin,
DR.. 4. w. Kirby and Lorng Chapel.
One of the most important questions called
before the association was a resolution pre-
scented by Maj Burke. His resolution pro-
vided for the calling together of two men,
bers of each of the seventeen citizens
socations for the purpose of discussing the
question of property exempted from taxa
ton, including church property. He also
mentioned in his resolution the questions
of officers and increased salaries of
officials.
In support of the resolution Mr.. Frizzell
read the report of the assessor for the year
1894. which he said, showed that at that
time the burden of taxation was saddled
on forty-two per cent of the property,
while fifty-three per cent is under the ex-
emption clause
Mai. Burke also discussed the question.
He said that the exempted property would
soon be much greater than the taxable
property. After explaining his position
the subject he concluded: "As a democrat
l want to know what objection there is to
silver
Mr.. Frizzell offered substitute resolu-
ton. This provided that the members of
other associations be invited to attend next
months meeting of the Northeast Wash
ington Association and participate in the
discussion of the questions mentioned. Maj.
Burke accepted the substitute and the
questions will be discussed next month.
Mr.. Sebring said he understood that there
is about to be a vacancy on the school
hoard, and he moved that the association
use its efforts to secure the appointment
of Northeast Washington man.
1t was stated that the resignation OF
Judge Barnard had been rumored. The
motion was carried and referred to the
school committee. Mr.. Sebring and F. D.
Foster were added to the school commit
tee.
Mr. Holster moved that the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad be requested to have the
LIST and l. streets crossing protected all
night. The Waterman at that crossing he
said. goes off duty at o'clock at night, and
from that hour until morning the gates are
not operated.
This matter was referred to the railroad
committee, with instructions to take imme-
date action.
Railroad Matters.
Chairman Frizzell of the committee on
port to make. He told of the visit of the
committee to the District building, and Of
the interview held with Commissioner Ross
relative to the question of placing special
policemen at the H street, G street and
Massachusetts avenue crossings. He said
he had seen in the newspapers the decision
of the attorney, which was adverse to the
proposition of the association.
President Tucker said he thought that
the special committee should be continued,
and that the Commissioners be urged to
have Congress enact a suitable law. These
CROSSINGS, he said. are dangerous. and they
certainly need all the protection that can
be given them
Chairman Frizzell said that no official re-
Spouse to the petition had been received,
and he suggested that the Commissioners
be asked for answer. He said that for
some reason the present Commissioners do
not pay much attention to the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association they
do to other associations.
President Tucker said he thought the
| committee could not get at work in this
matter too soon. 1t frequently happens.
he said, that dozen vehicles are stopped
on either side of these dangerous crossings
that often INSTRUCTED When the
gates lifted there is rush, and pedes-
TRANS and bicycles are sometimes knocked
down.
there will be a big accident these
crossings some day and some lives will be
sacrificed A special policeman in uniform
could handle the matter in way that
would greatly benefit the people"
Mr.. Colvin said he did not understand
why policemen would stand at these cross
irgs and see the law violated and not make
arrests
Are they afraid of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company" he asked.
DO you remember what one policeman
said when he made a railroad arrest some
time ago." Mr.. Frizzell asked.
Il don't remember was Mr.. Colvin's
answer.
He said that if the other policeman
afraid TO make the arrest he wasn't" was
Mr. Frizzelfs explanation.
And didn't he get in trouble?
Il believe he did"
President Tucker. referring to the re-
marks Of Mr.. Frizzell, said he thought the
Commissioners had not been guilty of any
Intentional slight to the association.
Street Improvement.
During discussion about street improve
ments Mr.. FrizzelI said he supposed the
Commissioners had an idea of giving the
northeast section the stone they intend to
take off 7th street northwest. He said he
thought the association would like to know
how many times the streets in the north
west are to be paved while the streets in
the northeast are allowed to remain mud
holes. The 9TH street merchants, he said,
who are now asking for street asphalt are
the very ores who once asked for the stone
should watch this matter when the Com
missioners make their recommendation to
Congress.
President Tucker said he thought Col
Bingham's attention might be called to the
number of small triangular spaces along
Massachusetts avenue northeast. These
spaces, he said, could be improved at a very
small cost and the avenue would be beau
titled and made attractive.
DR.. Kirby, chairman of the sanitary COM
mittee, SAID, as his recent report showed,
that the streets of Washington are cleaner
than the streets in any other city. On
the other hand, he said, it is notorious that
dead animals and rubbish dumped on
vacant lots and the lots overgrown
with weeds. Several other members of the
association contributed to this argument
Dr. Walter said he thought the railroad
committee might pay some attention to the
matter of getting closed cars on the CO.
lumba line. The open cars now in use
the road, he said. are not only uncomfort-
able, but are dangerous to life. He said he
believed the open cars would be kept in
operation until Christmas.
DR.. Kirby was OF the same opinion. He
said that riding in open in cold wealth
er Is calculated to give some of the passen-
gers the pneumonia. Such people. he
thought, might well enter suit against the
railroad cOmDany