Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-10
Addresses Before Brightwood Avenue
Citizens Association.
MEOSRS. EDISON And WOODWARD TALK
Preservation of the Public Parks
and Reservations.
BATTLE GROUND CEMETERY

chair, and Mr.. John G. Keene was secre-
tary.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Shoemaker
was adopted, approving of the action OF the
board of trade in requesting one of its men,
bers to address the school children Of the
public schools of the District, with the life
of George Washington as the theme, upon
the anniversary of his birth, each year, and
suggesting that a member Of the board of
trade be invited to appear before the Bright
wood school children once a month and ad-
dress them upon the public and private life
OF our Presidents-taking them in regular
order and endeavoring to include all of
them during the school term of each year.
The secretary was requested to forward a
copy of the resolution to other associations
for consideration and action. 1t was fur
tier decided to send copies of Mr. Shoema-
kers resolution to the District Commits
sioners and the board of trade for their
consideration.
A letter was read from Mr.. Charles S.
Bundy, chairman of the committee on
parks and reservations, Columbia Heights
Citizens Association, stating that 1T is be-
Iieved the united efforts of all the citizens
associations in the District cannot fail to
exert a decisive influence upon Congress
for the preservation of our parks and res
ervations,'' and inclosing a resolution en-
bcdying these views. The resolution, which
has already been printed in The Star, was
indorsed
Rock Creek Park.
Mr. W. " Cox, chairman of the historical
committee, submitted a report additional to
that made by him last month regarding the
proposed acquisition of Fort Stevens as
public park. Mr.. Cox also offered a resolu-
ton, which was referred to the legislative
committee, asking for the Improvement by
Congress of Rock Creek Park. which, 1t
was stated, was acquired by the District
ten years ago at cost of 81 100000, and
until last year no additional money had
been spent upon 1t.
resolution offered by Mr.. Cox was also
adopted to the effect that the historical
committee of this association be- and it is
hereby, authorized and empowered to ar
range with any committees that may be APP
pointed from the LOYAL Legion, the Grand
Army of the Republic the Union Veterans
Union and other patriotic organizations,
and the survivors of the engagement before
Washington. July II and T. 1864, for suita-
BILE exercises to be held at Battle Ground
cemetery, or at Fort Stevens, Decoration
day. May 80. 1900"
At the suggestion of Mr. R. NJ Johnston,
an amendment to Mr.. Cox's resolution was
adopted providing for the temporary mark
ing of various points of interest on the
Fort Stevens battlefield. particularly the
spot in the parapet of Fort Stevens where
President Lincoln stood during the battle.
Mr.. C. C. Lancaster offered a resolution,
which was adopted, relative to the reas-
SeSSrnenI OF water main TAX.
At this point President Shoemaker re-
marked that the association had with 1T at
its present meeting Mr.. John Joy Edison,
president of the board of trade, and MIR. S.
w. Woodward, a former president of the
same body.
Greeting to Mr.. Edison.
Addressing the former, Mr.. Shoemaker
said:
1T is the desire of the Brightwood Citi-
zens' Association to extend the same hearty
welcome to the president of the board of
trade that it has heretofore given other
prominent and influential citizens of the
District who haye accepted its invitation to
be present and address our members 1t is,
Of course, particularly gratifying to us to
have Mr.. Edison present, not only because
of his admirable personality and extensive
business interests. but because of the fact
that he is chairman of the board of trade.
I'VE believe the fundamental principle
and cause for the existence of the board of
trade to be the same that exists with refer
ence to our citizens association. In other
words, under our form of government, they
are all necessary mediums of intercourse
between our people and the authorities. The
for one Is the same that supports
the other.
"All these various organizations are per-
forming a good work in behalf of the peo-
pie and taxpayers. They assist the COM
missioners in performing their arduous du-
necessities of our people, which would not
otherwise reach the proper authorities
Therefore, it is quite proper and 1t will
no doubt inure to the interest of our asso-
citation and also of the board of trade to
have the advantage of an immediate inter-
course with Mr.. Edison We believe that
under his wise and judicious admnistra-
ton the board Of trade of Washington will
become the board of trade of the District
of Columbia, and thereby promote the In
terests of Brightwood as well as other sec
tons beyond the old city limits.
There is one suggestion L would like to
make to you, Mr.. President. which, in my
Judgment, would, II adopted, enlarge the
scope and consequently the general utility
of the board of trade and tend to accom-
plish the general result to which 1 have
just referred 1t is that you establish what
might properly be designated as the citi-
zens' association committee of the board of
trade, to be composed of at least one men,
Der from each association in the District.
Through the medium of this committee the
board of trade would be in touch with
every citizens association, and consequent
" with every part of the District of Co
lurlbia
Congress the public improvements neces-
sary to open up, develop and establish the
new Washington. so to speak. Recognize
the fact that 18th and 18th streets have
been practically speaking built upon and
improved with rows of brick houses in
this direction by our people as far as these
streets have been opened and regulated by
the authorities, showing conclusively the
existing demand and necessity for their
extension in this direction.
Recognize the fact that Brightwood ave.
nue. is the only thoroughfare extending
from the city in this direction and over
which the development of the city can
come the f4th street or Piney Branch road
not being recognized highway on the
street extension plan. Appreciate the fact,
Mr.. President. as you are in favor of the
growth and development Of Washington,
that the authorities must provide these
public necessities otherwise Washington
city must remain as 1t is today circum-
scribed and limited.
"Now, Mr.. President use your full
strength and urge your associates to re-
quire Congress to live up to and comply
with the solemn compact made in 1878, to
pay Its just half of the expenses of this
District. Impress upon Congress the i'm
portance and the constitutional necessity
Of acting fairly with our people over whom
and whose property 1t has exclusive juris-
diction. Insist that public parks and pub
lie improvements shall be established and
maintained from the federal treasury, and
further that Congress has no more right
constitutionally or otherwise. to impose
upon the people of this District burdens
that the nation should sustain than 1t
has to impose them upon the people OF
New York or any other state"
Response to the Address.