Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-07
WEST End IMPROVEMENTS
Projects Discussed Before Georgetown Citi-
Gems Association Last Night.
Mr.. H. F. B1ount to BE Urged for Dis.
trict mmissi0ner-Bridges
aud Streets,

| Inc regular monthly meeting of the
| Georgetown Citizens eAssociation was held
last evening at the hall of the First Coop
erative Building Association There was a
large attendance Of members and consid-
| cradle business Of Importance was trans
acted The meeting was called to order
| shortly before 8 o'clock, by Mr.. B. 7. jan
] ney, the president Of the association with
| Mr.. J. Barton Miller filling the office Of sec
| rotary.
| The public Improvement committee, which
has been actively engaged in presenting to
/ the Commissioners the streets needing i'm
| medite Improvement, presented a commu-
nication from Commissioner Lansing H.
| Beach, as follows
I'm reply to the request of the George
| town Citizens Association of September q,
would state that the following named
| streets will be placed on the schedule for
| improvement: Thirty-second from to U
SD to 18th street. from 35th to 36th
| street. T from 32d to Seth street. OF
| course, these streets will have to be placed
at the foot Of the schedule which has been
| approved by Congress, and at the usual
| rate at which appropriations have been
made, it will be some time before they can
| be reached, regret to say
| In respect to this matter Mr.. Archibald
| Greenlees submitted his formal report In
which he stated that the Commissioners as
| sured the committee that the great need of
| the improvements asked for was recognized
| and that some of the streets mentioned
| above would receive very early attention,
| though necessarily several of them would
be delayed. In speaking Of the 32d street
| Improvement the committee was informed
| that 1t was the intention of the Commits
| sioners soon found practicable to
grade the thoroughfare from U street to
| the Mt Tabor M. P: Church, at the inter-
section of 35th and 32d streets, between
which points the street inclines and ascends
quite abruptly.
President Janney reported that the spe-
cial committee appointed at the last meet
| ing had waited upon Col. H. F. Blount in
connection with the matter associating his
name with the commissionership, with the
object of gaining his consent to accept the
appointment If made Mr.. Blount con-
scented to allow the use of his name and to
accept the honor If conferred At the pres
ent time a petition. which is being backed
by MeSsrs. Matthew G. Emery Thomas r.
Jones. 8. W. Woodward, Charles j. Bell
| and w. s. Thompson. is being circulated In
the interests of Mr.. Blount. Mr.. Bell. 1t is
candidacy Of Col. Blount and has prom
ised that the petition shall go before the
President, backed by the best influence OBJ
tainable.
Bridge Across Rock Creek.
Mr.. Jesse H. Wilson strongly urged the
| necessity of at once working for the con-
struction of bridge across Rock creek at
Gay or N street or at Dumbarton avenue.
L..
stated that some years ago he, with Mr.
Ihomas Hyde, gained the hearty support
| of Maj. Charles Powell, then Commissioner.
| for the appropriation of a sufficient sum
| to span Rock creek with a bridge at
street The official action at that time was
united and strong. he said in favor of the
project. 1t fell through. however on ac-
| count OF the inability of the promoters to
reach satisfactory settlement with the
| metropolitan railroad representatives, who
controlled the ground on the Georgetown
side.
| 1t was stated at the meeting that tho
construction of the Metropolitan stables at
! that point had been serious detriment to
tne ADVANCE OF washington improvement
| westward. 1t is believed that no OPPOSE
ton would be made.to bridge measure by
tne metropolitan representatives at this
Park Project.
The Georgetown park project was further
| discussed. Mr.. Jesse Wilson reported that
While the Commissioners highly favored the
| idea. there is a movement on foot in official
circles to organize special commission to
| be known as the park commission, to which
the park project should be specially re-
1erred. Mr.. Wilson stated that INQUIRIES
| mad been made regarding the Boyce tract
| adjoining the Oak Hill cemetery. which is
| considered a particularly desirable tract,
| and the owners had placed price of $780,
| $50 on 1t, but 1t is believed it can be bought
| for about 500 900. Mr.. F. l.. Moore said.
| in speaking of this park project, that he,
| with Mr.. John E. Bell, the late William
Laird and Mr.. Thomas Hyde. conceived the
| Idea Of purchasing the Boyce tract several
years ago, and that the price then asked
| was $4,000. A sufficient sum was sub
| scribed to make the purchase, but on going
| to make the final arrangements the repre-
| sentatives Of the owners advanced the price
| to S125, 900
| Mr.. Albion K. Paris and Mr.. Robert
| Tenney were elected to active membership
Mr.. ]. Barton Miller. on account of his
| many personal duties. which consumed
practically every moment of his working
| to the meeting. requesting that he be ac-
corded the privilege of selecting his sue
cessOr. The resignation was accepted with
regret, and the choice Of Mr.. James H.
| Taylor was unanimously ratified.
Street ExtenslOn.
The extension of street was brought up
| by DR.. Richie, who stated the need of the
| improvement. The project was to extend
| the street from 37th street to 3Sth street,
| but account Of the grounds of George
| town University being in the way, a large
curve was recommended, starting at 9th
street, making half circle and again strik-
| ing a continuation of N street at 3Sth
street on the west. The curve would be so
broad to merge a PORTION Of n street into
Prospect avenue for the square. This plan,
| It was stated. was acceptable to Father
Richards, when he was rector OF George
town University and it is believed that the
| plan is still favorablv thought of by the
present rector and faculty of the univer-
sity.