Evening star., 1901-03-22
BUSINESS MEN MEET
Association Discusses the City's In
terests and Prospects,
PRESIDENTS REVIEW OF LEGISLATION
Position Taken on Reclamation of
the Anacostia Flats.
DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY
PRESIDENTS REVIEW OF LEGISLATION
DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY

The regular monthly meeting of the BusI-
ness Mems Association was held last even-
ing at Elks' Hall. No. 1875 f street nor1 h.
west Vice President Y. Baldwin johnson
| presided and Mr.. Barry BuIkley was sec
retary- There was a large attendance.
Previous to the meeting of the association
session of the directors took place for
the election of new members
After the minutes of the last monthly
| meeting We're read by Secretary Bulllley
| ne read report of the operations of the
| organization since November last. prepared
by President Dyrenforth The report stated.
among other things, that the record was
one of which all might well feel proud
While it is to be regretted he said that
| the prief session of Congress has prevent ed
1urtner energy of the association along the
line or formulating and advocating deSir-
able legislation, what has been done has
been OF character to insure the sympathy
and enlist the support of the business COM
munity.
There has been on the part of the varions
committees of the association. he contin-
ued, most commendabie progressivencss
Especially is this true of the commit tee
on taxation and the special committee
formed to consider and recommend amend
mentS to the code. and particularly the
section relating to justices OF the peace, as
well as the repeal of the law governing the
practice of medicine and dentistry
The committee on taxation he declared
to have been indefatigable in its efforts to
secure greatly reduced penalty tax, and
through it's chairman and members has
strongly urged its views upon the COM
! mittees of Congress and Upon the Com
m1ssioners. 1t is very gratifying. it was
said, to be able to state that in all of the
efforts of the committee success was the
reward. and that its amendments We're ac-
cepted in toto.
The Hotel Clause.
Another important enactment secured by
the chairman of the committee of law and
legislation and made part of the code
was a clause designed to be of great pro-
lection and benefit to hotel, lodging house
and boarding house keepers i'm the District.
This clause, as introduced and incorporated
in the code, renders it an offense punish
able by fine or Imprisonment for any ore
defrauding the keeper of an inn, boarding
house or hotel by avoidance of payment of
lawful bills contracted therein.
1t is interesting to note, it was asserted,
that the Senate committee is on record as
opposed to alum or mechanical filtration
and is in favor of the system proposed by
the Business Mems Association.
The attitude of the association upon the
reclamation of the Anacostia flats and it's
Importance as health measure is set forth
in an appended resolution, to the effect that
as the District of Columbia is under the
control Of the Congress and must obtain
and as the filling of the Anacostia river
bed has been caused by causeways, bridges
and the Potomac flats placed I'm or across
the channel of the river by authority Of
Congress, destroying commerce and pro-
ducing sickness and death il is recommend
ed by the Business Mems Association of
the District of Columbia
That Congress be memorialiZed praying
for legislation which will restore the COM
mercial condition of this waterway existing
when the Maryland portion of the District
of Columbia was ceded to the United
States, and such depth and width of chan
mel provided as will enable the largest
coasting steam and sailing vessels and
United States cruisers, gunboats and trans
ports to steam or sail to the navy yard
and naval gun foundry, or to any Of the
wharves which now exist or may be built
along the Anacostia river, and that COM
mittee of five be appointed by the chair to
present the merits Of this proposition to
the Senate committee on commerce and the
House committee on rivers and harbors."
The report was adopted by an unanimous
vote.
J. d. Croissant,. made originally to the
East Washington Citizens Association, on
the various capitals Of Europe, referring to
their improvements as compared with
Washington, which mas been already print
ed in The Star, accompanied by letter
from Mr.. Thomas w. Smith, and both were
indorsed by the Business Mems Associa-
ton.
Protest Entered.
After Mr.. Bulkley had made report
relative to the failure Of the association
to induce the committee on the police force
and fire department to award the contract
for making the uniforms during the ensu-
ing year to Washington firm, which was
said to be the lowest bidder, a resolution
offered by Mr.. C. II. Syme was adopted,
protesting against the action taken and
oI,fb rizip ha continuance of the Sreciat
committee heretofore appointed, with pow
er to inquire into the subject and get all
the facts concerning the matter, with the
view to having full report thereon at a
future meeting of the association.
BY request Mr.. B. II. Warner made some
remarks. He congratulated the members
on the growth of the association and warm
ly advocated the establishment of manu-
featuring establishments in the District.
His remarks were warmly applauded and
when he concluded he was invited to ad-
dress the association at it's next meeting.
The invitation was accepted.
Capt. Walkers Suggestfons.
Capt ]. P. Walker, Z. S. A. tretircdD,
made some remarks inviting the attention
of the association to what he termed "the
most important and vital question per-
tanning to the health, comfort, growth and
Improvement Of this grand capital city of
the nation and of its people or inhabitants,
the gates"
Next to the air we breathe he went on
to say, the most vital necessity of a city
is an abundant supply of pure, sweet,
clear water. Without going into any ar
gument about this he would, he said. SIM
ply state an indisputable fact that the
present supply of water for this great,
grand city is not sufficient, is not pure
and oftentimes is not clear.
An effort is being made, he said, tn rem
der the present supply pure and clear by
system of filtration, which he hoped
might succeed. 1t was not, however, his
desire to ask the consideration of filtra-
tion at the present meeting, but to direct
attention to the possibility Of obtaining a
more abundant and purer supply from the
headwaters of the Potomac and Shenan-
doah, This involves the questions Of first
setting apart the entire watershed of the
Potomac, which, of course, includes the
Shenandoah, as a natural park ard forest
reserve, and then, by national and state
legislatures, preventing the pollution of
the water supply in all that vast region
and finally the building of dams and res
ervoirs and carrying the water to this
city.
How all this should be done" he re-
marked, has been in consideration for the
past two years by the water supply COM
uittee of the Board of Trade of this cfty