Evening star., 1900-01-03
DISCUSS GRADE CROSSINGS
Pennsylvania Railroad Bill Considered by
East Washington Citizens.
Feeling of Opposition Develops
other Matters, Includiug Water
Supply, Under Consideration.

a we'll attended meeting of the East
Washington Citizens Association was held
last night at Baum's Hall. corner ith and
East Capitol streets. President T. w.
Smith occupied the chair and after the
reading of the minutes of the last meeting
reports from committees were called for.
While the committee on public order and
comfort had no regular report quite a dis
cussion was provoked over the suggestion
of Secretary Sperry that this committee
take up the subject of properly housing the
motormen on the street railroads of the
city. He referred to the methods adopted
in other cities and cited Baltimore partic-
ularly as ole municipality having the
comfort of the motormen at heart. After
some discussion the matter, upon motion
Of Mr.. B. W. Clark, was referred to the
committee for action.
Chairman Jeffords of the committee on
reclamation of Anacostia flats had no re-
port to make. but rehearsed briefly the
work already done in this direction. He
said the thing to be done is to get the
House committee to put into the river and
harbor bill the Senate amendment on the
subject which failed to pass at the last ses-
sion In reply to a suggestion that there
would be no river and harbor bill this ses-
sion. Mr.. Jeffords said there was no way
to get the desired legislation save through
such channel. and all that could be done
was TO wait for bill.
Potomac Water supply
President Smith thought some action
should be taken respecting the Potomac
water supply. In his thirty years of expe-
rience he had never seen the water in such
bad condition. The absence of heavy rains
had made the supply low and the result
was great pollution of the river. Several
members spoke Of the short supply due.
many thought. to the fact that people per
mitted the water to run in their houses 10
prevent freezing. One member suggested if
the water was not kept running big
plumbers bill would result Mr. B. w
Clark had evidently had experience with
plumbers, for he proceeded to tell of the
charges the plumbers in Washington were
permitted to make They are backed up
by the authorities who take the ludicrous
position that man could not repair his
own plumbing if it got out of working or
der. Mr.. S. S. Yoder thought the time
ripe for agitating the subject of filtration
Under present conditions cpidemics wee
probable He thought "A resolution might
be adopted
Mr.. V. Baldwin johnson said that while
he would favor any resolution he thoug ht
If it We're possible TO compe, senators and
representatives to drink the Potomac wa
ter as it comes from the pipes il would not
be long before there would be remedial leg
islation. Ex-Governor y. q. Ordway
thought it was criminal neglect on the
part of the authorities to permit the con-
t!nuance of an evil which threatened the
health of every citizen in Washington.
The discussion ended in the adoptiou of
District Commissioners to the subject Il
was referred to the committee on warar
supply, with power to represent the as>o-
citation before the authorities.