Evening star., 1899-04-04
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Two Papers of Interest Read at Meet
ing Last Night.

Two papers of great interest and value
were read at the meeting of the Columbia
Historical Society last evening, held IN
the banquet hall of the Shoreham Hotel.
The president of the society, MIR. John A.
Kasson, presided. The first paper was on
the board of public works, and was read
by Dr. Franklin I. Howe. who was the
chief clerk of that body and Intimately as
sociated with the work of the board, which
was created in 1871 with the territorial
form of government, and existed up TO the
change in 1874. when the present govern
ment was established.
At the outset DIR. Howe called attention
to the fact that a quarter Of century VIII
have elapsed in June next since the terri
torial government ceased to exist. He then
gave valuable summary of the principal
events in the career of body that laid the
foundation, as he stated. of the attractive
ness as well as the convenience and health
fulness, of the city as IL exists today. In
terwoven with the recital of these facts
were personal "reminiscences OF Governor
Shepherd and the men who were assoclat-
ed with him. He paid a warm and hearty
tribute TO the foresight and the energy of
Governor Shepherd, which, as he said,
made this great work possible.
He stated that of the members of the
board only three are liVlng-GoVernor Shep-
herd, who resides in Mexico; Mr.. Henry A
Willard and MIR. Adolph Cluss of this city.
Mr.. Willard AHho is a member Of the So
ciety, was present, and took part In the dis
cussion, especially referring TO the system
of parking along the streets, which is
looked upon as one OF the features that
make the city today attractive. MIR.
Willard spoke of establishing the parking
along X street between 9Th and 18th streets,
the first of the kind attempted in this city.
This system differed from the one that is
now followed, as the sidewalk was placed
next To the building line of the houses and
the parking between the sidewalk and the
street. This improvement was made under
the mayoralty of Mr.. Bowen in the year
1870.
The next paper was by Dr. william Tin
DALI the secretary of the board of District
Commissioners, on the homes of the local
data which the research of the author had
made possible, DIR. Tindall gave many in
cidents of local politics. which were highly
amusing in themselves and were of hu-
morous character. He succeeded in trac-
ing the wanderings of the local govern
ment from its establishment in 1902 down
to the present day, when. as is well known,
and as the speaker pointed out, the city
government Is not only without a home Of
its own, but is not even adequately
housed The writer also described the loca-
uon OF the various buildings occupied by
the principal departments OF the city gov
ernment, such as the police department
and the health department. The collated
facts In regard to the abiding place of the
local government prior TO the erection of
the building known as the city hall now
occupied by the courts of the District.
We're in this paper placed on record for The
first time. They had been gathered from
scattered sources at the expense of much
time and labor. The value of the work
performed by DR.. Tindali In the preparation
OF thls paper was recognized.