The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-27
THE B. AND 0. VIADUCq
A New Route Proposed by the Eek
ingtOn Citizens Association.
The Opening and Paving of Streets
Considered at the Monthly Meeting
Outlook for School Reform Re-
Garded as Observation-Disclosures Plan
Which Would Not Close Streets.

The North Capitol and lexington Citi-
last night at the Church of the United
Brethren corner of North Capitol and r
| Streets. About sixty members of the as
sociation were present and matters of i'm
portance affecting the development of
! North Washington were discussed.
| One of the principal subjects considered
was the widening and extension of Ecking-
! ton Place and the paving of it and adjoin-
{ ing streets. The reasons advanced for this
| Improvement are that large and growing
| section OF the city has no proper outlet to
| Florida Avenue and North Capitol Streets.
| Children, it is asserted, are obliged to fol-
! low devious paths to school across rail-
! way tracks and along passages where they
/ may be subjected to the taunts and abuse
of unruly boys. The COW paths" which
/ certain citizens of lexington are obliged
to follow to reach the city were designated
as dangerous, and the plea was raised that
! the District authorities should do some
thing as speedily as possible TO relieve
! Inc congestion OF traNel DelOW flESl SIIttl
and lexington Place.
The discussion, which was long and ami
mated, resulted in the adoption of a reso-
luton directing the committee on streets,
sidewalks. and lights TO request the Dis
trict Commissioners to ask the appoint
ment OF jury to condemn the property
and open lexington Place in accordance
with authority already granted by Con-
gross.
Another subject discussed at length was
reform in the public schools, VIII oh the
lexington Association virtually started,
and which has eventuated in the bill in
treduced in the United States Senate, pro-
viding for the appropriation of $4,000 an
nually to pay the salaries of five school
commissioners, superintendent OF schools
and other subordinate officials. appointed
by the President by and with the con
sent of the Senate. The point raised was
that having secured the ear of the Sem
ate committee and the Introduction Of the
bill. 1t was now necessary 10 work ener-
eetically for its enactment into law. The
association, it was argued, had righ: o
feel proud of what had been accomplish
ed, but TO rest now was to run the chance
of losing everything by inactivity. What
was needed was the cooperation OF all
associations of like character in the Dis
u.ct, and to urge upon Congress the enact
ment of the bill into law.
incidentally TO the main point resclu
tions were passed thanking the press for
giving publicity to the views OF the e X
ington Association and to the investga-
ton which followed. Another resolution
thanking the teachers who had testified
before the Senate subcommittee was pass
ed. A third resolution conveying thanks
to the Senate subcommittee who, had
spent so much time investigating the
school question was also passed.
Finally. after long discussion. ii was
determined TO invite the cooperation of
other citizens associations in the Dis
trict, as well as the Board of Trade and
the BuSi ness Mems Association. in urging
upon Congress the passage of the Senate
bill. which meets the views of the asso-
citation regarding the reform of the Dis
trict schools.
The committee on the Baltimore and |
Ohio viaduct reported to the association |
that in conjunction with the executive |
committee they had employed an expert |
engineer TO go over the ground and suggest |
a plan which would avoid the closing of |
so many streets in lexington. The en-
gineer, it was reported had surveyed a |
new route for the Metropolitan branch |
shorter and with longer curves, and would !
do away with the closing of streets. which |
has been complained of. The route pro-
posed by the engineer starts near the in |
of Seventh Street and Rhode !
Island Avenue. passes down Seventh 10 V |
Street, and thence through private right |
of way to Delaware Avenue. V Street and |
Rhode Island Avenue would pass under the |
tracks through an arch. Other streets to |
S would bridge a deep cut, S Street would !
be closed and the streets south of it would |
pass under the tracks
The plan has already been presented to
the District Committee OF the Senate. and.
il was stated. seems to meet with the ap-
proyal of that body. II is hoped by the
members of the lexington Association that
if the Baltimore and Ohio Viaduct bill is
passed, the new route suggested by them
will ~. a part of the law.