The suburban citizen., 1901-11-09
FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Of VIM, H. Ernest, President Of the
East End Suburban Citizens
Association,
Washington, D. C., Nov. 6, 1901.

Washington, D. c., Nov o, 1901.
Gentlemen:-As the presiding officer
OF this association, l take pleasure in
presenting this, my first semi-annual
report, which, l think, will indicate to
you that we have met with special favor
at the hands Of the authorities, who look
upon this movement as a step that
should have been taken many years ago
by the people OF this section.
The wisdom OF forming these Citi-
zens' Associations to look out for the
particular needs of the various sections
of the District has long been demon
strated, and since you saw fit to confde
in me as your leader for the past six
months it is particularly gratifying to
know that our membership has more
than doubled since our first meeting in
May.
But we must not cease our efforts un-
til we have built up an organization that
will stand second to none in point Of
members and influence.
The work we have mapped out for the
benefit OF this section should serve as
powerful magnet in drawing into the
association every property every
resident and every wel-wisher within
our jurisdiction.
In a recent magazine article Mr.. G
w. Stevens, OF England, speaks OF
America as "The Land Of the Dollar"
Insofar as our particular section is con-
cerned, the words apply with burning
force, and l admonsh you to take the
thought home to yourselves and weigh
the words with care, feeling confident
that il you do so it will result in de-
termination on the part Of each to ex-
hibit in the future a much greater pub
lie spirit than has characterized your
conduct in the past
Within the area bounded by the Ben
ming road, the Anacostia river, the Dis
trict line and the Bladensburg road
there are thirteen hundred acres OF land
having an assessed valuation of $278,ooo.
There are no public highways within the
territory except such as were dedicated
by Robert E. Morris, the Corcoran es-
tate and John w. Ross in connection
with the Morris subdivision. All other
roads are private roads, and not one sin
gle dollar of the public money has been
expended upon them for any purpose.
The fact that such a vast area OF land
lying only mile from the Capitol build
ing, and nearly all we'll within distance
OF two miles, has lain for years in a
neglected and abandoned condition,
through our own fault, and on account
OF what amounts almost to criminal neg
ligence, is appalling, and should serve
as a powerful incentive in squirting US
on to increased vigor.
During the past six months our time
has been largely taken up with the mat
ter OF the permanent improvement OF
the Bladensburg road to the District
line, OF the Benning road to the District
line, and to the lighting of existing
streets and roads and to the opening OF
new streets.
About $4,000 have just been spent in
the permonent improvement OF Bla-
densburg road for a distance OF 1900
feet, and we have succeeded in getting
the Commissioners to recommend an
additional appropriation OF $4,000 to
continue the said improvement to Mt.
Olivet Cemetery.
We shall endeavor to have this ratio
maintained with the view of completing
the permanent improvement OF said
road to the District line within three
wears. The repairs to Bladensburg road
which we asked for are being made, and
/ trust the same will be completed be-
fore bad weather sets in.
The Benning road has been macadam-
lied through to the Benning Hotel, and
the race track road has likewise been
macadamized to the track The sum OF
$4,000 has been put in the estimates to
continue the improvement OF the road
way from the race track to the District
line at Keniworth
The sum OF 5000 has been anOtied for
the repair of the west abutment OF the
Benning bridge, which has been in
state OF collapse for the past several
years.
Through the efforts OF our secretary
an iron drinking fountain was donated
by the Humane Society at an expense OF
about S25 and installed at the hotel cor
ner at Benning by the officials OF the
water department engineers office. at
an expense OF about $3.50. Since it is
the hrst fountain ever donated bv the
society to be erected in the county.
where there is no connection to be had