Evening star., 1901-02-12
ASSOCIATION TO CELEBRATE
CITIZENS GRATEFUL FOR ANTI
GRADE CROSSING LEGISLATION.
Waiting for President Mckinley Z"
Sign Railway Bil1s-ImproNc-
mentS in Northeast Section.

Nenohers of the Northeast washington
C,itizens. Association had reason for re-
ioicinr last night when the monthly meet
ire was held at Northeast Temple, because
of the passage of the bill designed to re-
Heye the city of its numerous grade cross
ings More than eight years ago the asso-
citation was organized by w. j. F'rizzeii'
John r. Colvin, A. II. +. Holsten and MT.
Lucas The last mentioned is the only one
of the quartet who has not remained In
the association.
The organization, it was said, was first
called the Anti-Grade Crossing Association,
but the name was afterward changed. Reg
ular monthly meetings have been held DUR
ing The eight years 1t is the intention CT
the associati ton to have a celebration after
President Mckinley signs the railroad bill
President Tucker. as chairman or the
committee on proposed legislation, reminded
the association of the passage or the rail-
road bill and complained of the amount
set apart in the Senate bill for street i'm
provements in the northeast section. More
money, he said. is given for Columbia road
Than is given for the entire northeast sec
tion. At the rate the appropriations are
now being made, he said, 1t will take sew
enty years to get the improvements now
enjoyed by the residents of the northwest
section. The bill for the opening of the
Congressional Library on Sundays he said,
/
it would be but short time before the
people will have opportunity Of visiting
the building Sundays and have access to
the books
President Tucker said that the bond hin
had been introduced. but he suggested that
no action be taken upon it, as there is no
likelihood that the bill will be passed at
this session. The measure. he said. seems
to be unpopular one. and when Congress
adiourns the bill will not be worth the
the provisions in the appropria ton bill re-
lating to public schools. and said that
while all that was desired will not be OBJ
tanned. he believed the necessary relief will
be giver at the next session of Congress.
Sanitary Conditions.
DR.. E W. Kirby of the sanitary commit
tee told of visit to Superintendent Slut
Ter of the street cleaning department, when
the question Of removing ashes was dis
cussed. The interview, he said, was per-
fectly satisfactory. The sanitary condition
of the city, DIR. Kirby added is good, and
does not seem to be suffering from any
neglect on the part Of those who have
charge of affairs
Mr.. Frizzell gave further explanation
of the interview the committee had with
Mr.. Stutler. The question Of removing
ashes by the District, he said, was first sug-
gested by East Washington citizen.
whose idea that the ashes should be
dumped on the AnacOstia flats and assist
in the reclamation of the flats. AS 1t
turned out, the ashes are not dumped on
the flats, but much of the refuse Is dumped
on private property. During the discussion
of the ash question, members referred to
the removal of garbage. and DR.. Kirby said
he would prepare a report to be submitted
at the next meeting, suggesting that the
collection of both ashes and garbage be
made by the District and not by private
contractors
The Fatal Collision.
President Tucker referred to the fatal
accident to Fireman Keefe last week and
suggested that all the citizens associations
should recommend that the cars be re-
quired to stop on the near side of street
crossings hereafter instead Of on the far
side. Chief Paris of the fire department,
he said. had argued against the far side
rule, and now that several accidents have
happened he supposed the ideas Of the fire
chief would be embodied in a regulation.
On motion of DR.. Kirby, the association
recommended that the regulation be amend
ed so that cars shall be required to stop
on the near instead of on the far side of
the crossing.
The association approved the bill for the
erection of u temple Of justice on the
square north of the Congressional Library
and also recommended the appropriation of
money for the erection of municipal
building, to be located north of Pennsyl-
vania avenue.
HymnaIs in the Schools.
Mr.. A. j. Buehler moved that the asso-
citation enter its emphatic objection against
the observance of any religious exercises
in the public schools of this city, believing
such practice a menace to the principles of
the free school system.
DIR. Kirby said he had looked 'over the
Objectionable hymnal and had failed to find
anything which could be construed as OBJ
jectionable to Jew or Gentle. He could
see no more objection to singing the hymns
in the book than the singing of The Star
Spangled Banner or My Country, 'Tis of
Thee"
Mr. Frizzell also discussed the question,
telling of q conversation he had with the
secretary of the school board. Mr.. Buehler
followed with a few remarks. He said
the authorities of the Eastern High School
were so persistent in their efforts to get
the hymnal that some of the pupils were
excused the day of the heavy storm long
enough to go down town and make pur-
chases.
DR.. Kirby said he thought the matter of
the hymnal should never have been
brought before the association, and the res
olution vas laid on the table.
The proposed amendments to the street
railway bill which were recently passed
by the lexington Citizens Association were
offered. They were referred to the legis-
lative committee, with power to take such
action as might be deemed advisable.
Mr.. Miller suggested that 1t would be
a great accommodation to about two hun
dred residents of Northeast Washington
If three four cars were run from 18th
and II streets northeast to the bureau of
engraving and printing each morning
Such a service, he said, Is enjoyed by peo-
pie living along the line Of East Capitol
street The association will ask the rail-
way company to put on the service sug-
gested.