Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-12
RAILWAY QUESTION
Subject Before Northeast Washington
Citizens Association.
PROSPECTS FOR UNION STATION
Report Presented by the Committee
on Public Schools.
ORN AMENTAL BRANCHES

/
The Northeast Washington Citizens As
| ISOLATION, at it's regular meeting held last
| night, made a number of changes in its
| constitution. The objects set forth in the
| constitution are the promotion of the well
| fare of the residents of Northeast Washing
| ton and the abolition of grade crossings.
| Several changes of minor Importance were
| made, among them one limiting the time
| of members participating in debates.
| Chairman FrizzeH of the railroad com
| mittee reported that the railroad business
( is in good shape. In the recent report of
the District Commissioners, he said. no ref
| erence was made to the railroad grade
| crossing question.
[ After a short discussion relating to the
report of the Commissioners. DR.. Kirby
| said he had been informed that Baltimore
and Ohio stock had been purchased by the
Pennsylvania railroad and in the near fu-
ture he had been told, the grade crossings
| will be abolished and a grand union depot
| will be constructed.
Mr.. Chappell said he was tired Of the
building of air castles. He had heard of
| them often. but he had never seen one. The
promises of early action on the part of
| railroad companies he referred to as
"taffy.''
|
| had been imposed upon about the question
| of consolidation. Every time there is a
move made, he said, the question of build
| ing a union depot is discussed. The two
big companies he believed. will not be con-
solidated, and Gll the talk of the proposed
consolidation was brought about because Of
the purchase of $4,000 worth of stock Of
| the Baltimore and Ohio company by a
member of the Pennsylvania company.
Notwithstanding the assertions to the
contrary, Dr. Kirby said. the Pennsylvania
railroad has long been anxious TO control
the Baltimore and Ohio line from this city
to Philadelphia. He knew that an amount
of stock much in advance of $4,000 had
been purchased, and he expressed the pc
lief that the Pennsylvania company VIII
some day control the Baltimore and Ohio
line
OF Local Interest.
President Tucker said he considered the
railroad question generally one of the fore
most affairs of local interest. An attorney
connected with the Baltimore and OHIO
railroad he said, remarked to him recently
that the road he represents is anxious to
improve its terminal facilities. The condi-
tons here are such. the railroad people say.
that a union station is impracticable With
railroad people, said President Tucker a
few minutes of time is everything and even
should the Pennsylvania railroad gain con-
troll of the Baltimore and OHIO a union sta
ton would not follow. A union station, he
said, would not give the short route to Bal
timore that the b. and O. line now gives,
Railroad bills affecting both roads, he said,
Will probably be introduced IN Congress
within a few days.
Mr.. Frizzell said the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company has been acquiring
property in several squares, and certain
property has been decided to persons who
represent the railroad company. These
movements. he said. indicate that the Bal
tmore and Ohio company is moving in the
direction Of improvements, but is moving a
little slowly.
Committee on Schools.
Chairman Chappen of the school commit
tee submitted a report, in part as follows:
First The action of the North Capitol
and lexington Citizens Association, in the
matter of restoring arithmetic in the eighth
grade meets our hearty approval.
Second. In this connection we would in
stst on less ornamental teaching and more
time being given to practical subjects.
Among the ornamental subjects attempted
to be taught in the lower grades We would
mention botany and geology. We would
not eliminate these subjects, but would
give them a more subordinate place.
Third. The requiring of children below
the sixth grade to study at home is I'M
necessary and harmful, and we wish to en-
ter our earnest protest against it. The
child has a body as well as mind, and
one is as important as the other. The state
Is under much obligation to protect the
body it is to cultivate the mind. Chill
dren under twelve years of age need a
great deal of exercise, and confinement is
injurious.
Fourth This committee would urge upon
Congress, through the proper channel, an
appropriation to pay for a thorough med
ical supervision Of all pupils in our public
schools.
Mr.. Foster said the school question is an
important one, and he hoped the associa-
ton would set apart an evening for Its dis
cussion. He suggested that the Northeast
Washington Association follow in the foot
steps of the East Washington Association
and invite educators to address the asso-
citation. Mr.. Foster said he had been a
school teacher for fifteen years, and he
knew that the young children in the
schools have their brains overtaxed.
Mr.. Cowsill said he objected to a public
meeting at the time. Maj. Burke, Mr. Friz-
discussion. Maj. Burke said he would like
to know who first made the suggestion
about medical inspectors for the public
schools. IT was his idea that one of the
professional men may have suggested it.
There are a great many doctors, he said
and he doubted if there sickness
enough for al of them. He was not so sure
that he was ready to recommend that $50
doctors be put on the pay rolls for the
purpose Of increasing the burden on the
taxpayers.
Sent Back to Committee.
After lengthy discussion the report
was referred back to the school committee
for further consideration.
On motion of Maj. Burke the association
voted to refer the question of taxation and
exemption to the committee proposed
legislation, with authority to call the at
tention of Congress to the subject 1t was
suggested In the resolution that the Com
nissioners might be asked for a list of ex-
empted property and the reason for the
exemption. Other routine business was
transacted before adjournment.
A New Coffee.
A new coffee that promises much is being
introduced in Washington, and will soon be
in the stock of all the well-appointed gro