The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-16
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Correspondence With Reference TO
Opening tennessee Street.
The Commissioners Inform a Citizen
Tint Highway Improvement Cam
not Depend Upon Conditions of
Dedicated Land Question of
Double Fares to Takoma Park.


Robert E. L. White recently sent com.
munication to the Commissioners request
ing that at the convenience of the En-
gineer Department part of the chair
gang might be used for the opening Of
Genessee Street, in Brightwood. Mr.
White informs the Commissioners that he
recently had a conversation with the En-
gfneer Commissioner, and he asks tina;
the work may be done according to the
suggestions made to Captain Beach al
that time.
He says that the need of opening Gen.
essee Street is urgent when viewed from
the standpoint of the community. The
Commissioners are informed that the
owners Of the tract through which the
proposed street is to run, who donated the
land for the same, request that the dirt
taken from the bed of the street in grad
ing be deposited on the lots adjoining.
Mr.. White asks that the work may be
undertaken this fall, and if-such shall be
the case he assures the Commissioners
that the citizens Of Brightwood and vi
entity will be deeply grateful therefor
In considering the request made by Mr..
White the Engineer Commissioner recon-
mended that q letter be written to him
as follows: 1.-The Commissioners would
state that as you are doubtless aware,
the dedication was an unconditional one,
and yet l find in print and elsewhere
statements by certain parties that the
dedication was secured by them on condi-
fsay, hat rk.,o I,<S
an early date. 1t is contrary to the policy
of the office to accept conditional dedi-
cations, which policy has been very care
fully observed for the past two years,
and 1t is not desired that the criticism
can be made that that custom has been
departed from in this case.
1T is believed that the improvement OF
the street is a matter of considerable
public Importance, and that II should lie
opened up as soon as practicable. The
Commissioners are indebted for the gift
OF the land which has made the opening
of the street possible, but ! wish you
would correct the impression that the ded-
ication was conditioned upon the i'm
provement of the street, as the Commits
sioners have strenuously endeavored to
avoid any such troublesome precedent.
"As a matter of fact. 1t is hoped to be-
but it should be distinctly understood that
this action will be taken because it is con-
sidered a desirable improvement. and not
because of any promises in connection
with the dedication, which you well know
were not made, as the only negotiations
leading up to the transfer were made with
you
In reply to this letter dictated by the
Engineer Commissioner. Mr.. White has
written: If anyone has stated that this
donation was obtained by them. on any
condition, 1t was entirely without my
knowledge authority, or consent, and l
shall correct 1t as far as possible. The do
nation was absolute and unconditional. The
document Is the best evidence and speaks
for itself. Some weeks past a resolution
was passed by the Brightwood Citizens As
ISOLATION concerning this street, but l at
once informed them that the donation had
been accepted two days prior thereto.
Il trust you will accept this as eX-
pressire OF my position in the matter.
which I at shorize you to show to anyone
asserting the contrary, and consider, as l
believe. that these unau .horized express
able, in all probability, to excessive zeal
in behalf of a local public benefit, which
60 many people desire, because of the
pressing need. 1 trust its necessity to the
public nay appeal to you sufficiently to
warrant the early grading thereof"
The operations of the dog license Law
brought two requests to the Commission
ers yesterday for the return of the
pound fee paid by the owners of dogs to
secure their release from the pound One
of these was from Mrs Benjamin W. Reiss.
Of S19 Tenth Street northwest. who states
TO the Commissioners 10 her letter that the
door OF her house was left open by painters.
and that the dog which was captured, got
put without her knowledge. Mrs. Reiss
stated that she had tag for her pet and
that 1t was always placed on the dog when
ne was taken upon the street.
The Poundmaster stated in relation to |
he request that the animal In question |
was taken up at the corner of Tenth |
Street and New York Avenue. while run |
ling at large without collar or tag.
II. C. Mclean, Acting Health Oficer. in /
sporting upon the case said that in his 4
opinion the dog was lawfully impounded 1
md that the reason advanced by the owner !
lid not. to his mind, warrant a return Of
he pound feee.
The other request was from Mrs. Ed
ward Mayer, nf 112s Fifth Street north
west, who stated to the Commissioners
that her dog is old and nearly blind and
that II was taken from the parking m
front OF her house while with her She
stated that she expostulated with the Off
GER against It's being taken, and that lie
-udely sneered and refused to release the
log. She informed the Commissioners
hat the dog never left the house without
'ome one going with it, and that its collar
and tag had been temporarily removed
because II had a sore neck.
The Poundmaster in reporting upon the
DUPLICATION. stated that the dog was cap
ured on the edge Of the parking, and that
he officer explained in a courteous man
Ter that IL was his duty to take the dog
because 1t was without a tag. He de-
Jared that no discourtesy was used.
The acting Health Officer. in forwarding
he report of the Poundmaster TO the
stated that Mrs. Mayer ,
eemed to have exercised due precaution
D taking II out of doors in front of her
ONE, and to prevent ii from running at
lrge in violation OF the law. He here
IRE recommended that the pound fcc in
his case be returned. as requested.
The recommendations of the Health
flee In both cases have been approved
Y the Commissioners.
z. NJ. Douglass, Of Takoma Park, recent
complained to the Commissioners that
lie Baltimore and Washington Traction
ompany had charged him extra fare from
le junction of its line with the Bright
God Railroad Company. Mr.. Douglass ]