The suburban citizen., 1901-07-13
A UNITED EFFORT.
The East End Suburban Citizens Association
Awake to Its Duties.
Short History of the Organization Together with
Work it Has Mapped Out and Sketches of Some Of
It's Most Prominent and Substantial Members.

The suggestion which led to a union
Of effort in the interest OF the residents
OF the extreme northeast section OF the
District was a most excellent one, and
the East End Suburban Citizens Asso-
ciation, which sprang into existence a
month or so ago gives promise OF ex-
ceeding in its good work the fondest
anticipations of its founders. 1t is ce7-
tain that nowhere within the territory
embraced by the lines OF this important
of all national reservations has Congres-
sonal indifference with respect to the
needs Of the people been more manifest
and it is equally apparent that in no
part OF the District could reasonable
appropriations have been used to bet
ter purpose.
The area within which the work OF
the new association will be carried on
is bounded by the Benning road and the
District line and the Bladensburg pike
and the Anacostia river 'erritory
comprising little more than twelve
hundred and ninety-nine acres, as
sessed at about $278,ooo. In view Of
the fact that there are no public high
ways in this large suburban section, ex
cept those given by Robert Z. Morris,
the Corcoran estate and John w. Ross,
the valuation OF the property may be
taken as fattering evidence that the au-
thorites regard the locality as one
which is destined to become as a COM
paratiyely early day one Of the most de-
sirable and prosperous within the limits
OF the District.
The most important OF all the ques-
tions which the new association will be
called upon to consider-which, in fact.
it has already taken up is that OF street
improvements. In the vicinity over
which the association exercises jurisdic-
ton scores of residents are cut off from
communication with the city except by
means OF narrow lanes, the property OF
individuals, which lead by circuitous
routes to the Bladensburg and Benning
roads. 1t is only by means OF these
winding and narrow outlets that they
are able to reach the local markets with
their products. Thus it will be seen
they are placed at a decided dsadvan-
tage with people engaged in the same
pursuits who reside in portions OF the
District which have been the recipients
OF Congressional favors.
Il is possible that the seeming lack OF
attention which has been given to the
section may be accounted for on the
ground that no well-directed and united
effort has been made to secure appro-
priations for highways and other inn
provements so much needed But now
that an organization, of which many of
the most prominent citizens of the city
and District are members, has been
formed, it may be expected that ere the
flight OF another year Congressional
vision will be turned toward the East
End and that the extensive territory
over which the association proposes to
keep a close watch will begin to under
go many important changes. The open
ing of Twenty-eighth street, which is
among the most desirable of the i'm
provements thus far considered, should,
and doubtless will, be the first step in
the new order of things which the East
End Suburban Citizens Association has
it in its power to inaugurate This
would afford an easy means Of ingress
and egress to the large farming commu-
nifty, within which there are several es-
tablishments for the production and
preparation of fresh meat for the local
markets, and would obvate the neces-
sity of traversing the private lanes above
referred to in order to reach the roads
BY which access to the city is possible
That harmonious action upon the part
OF the association will result in work
OF development within the territory to
which it has addressed its attention,
which will surprise the most sanguine
advocates OF progress and improvement.
is proposition which, among men who
appreciate the possibilities OF this much
neglected but highly favored section
will be accepted without argument. The
reputation and standing OF men whose
names appear upon the roll OF the or
ganization, however, is sufficient guar
antee that there will be a shoulder-to.
shoulder pull and that the East End
will soon be one of the most attractive
and desirable suburban sections in the
District OF Columbia.
The extension OF MARYLAND avenue
and the opening OF NJ street and k or