The Washington times., 1901-11-21
MUD IN WINTER,
DUST IN SUMMER.
A STEEP AND DIRTY ROADWAY.
Vigorous Complaint Over the Ccndi-
tTon of Nineteenth Strect-Crenk-
Ing Carts shatter the
Nerves of Residents.

Mrs W. H. Hilliard. of 200 Nineteenth
Street northwest, in a letter to the Com
missioners. has given expression to the
woes of unreGuited patience. She and her
family have waited long, and endured
much while waiting for the march of
public improvement to pass her door. She
declares that it is time something was
done to improve the grade and to surface
the roadway on Nineteenth Street, be
yond Columbia Road
Mrs. Hilliard states that their home
was bought more than two years ago in
the full expectation that the street would
be improved soon. She says they have
waited and made no complaint, until pa
tience has ceased to be virtue. She
says the street was paved to Columbia
Road more than a year ago. Their house
is a little beyond Columbia Road, where
the improvements are visible, but where
they serve no practical end, so far as 21OO
is concerned.
Complaint is made that they have reek-
ing mud in winter and binding dust in
summer. When friends drive out from
the city to call, Mrs Hilliard says. they
are obliged to stop at halorama Avenue
ana walk up the steep hill, owing to the
grade in front of tFie mouse. She com
plains of the hsunng of dirt past the
house, and declares hat the creaking of
the noisy carts drives aer nearly crazy.
Had to Send -'afient Away.
Mrs. Hilliard refers to the illness of
member of the family last spring, when it
became necessary, on account of the noise
of hauling dirt, to send the patient away
from home to a quiet place elsewhere.
The Commissioners are asked to use
their best endeavors to give the residents
of that part Of Nineteenth Street relief
from present conditions.
C. b. Hunt, the Computing Engineer,
has submitted statement relative to the
complaint of Mrs. Hilliard, in which he
says that the street was improved several
years ago by the laying of bluestone
curb and the construction OF gravelly
read. This improvement has deteriorated
during the years ii has been in use, but
is still, he thinks, in fair condition.
Mr.. Hunt reminds the Commissioners
that the roadway could not be paved ex-
cept through a special appropriation for
the purpose, the estimates for which have
Hilliard be informed that nothing can be
done Immediately, but that consideration
will be given to her statement in the
preparation of the next estimates sent tc
Congress.
The New Beach Driveway.
Beach Driveway" is the name given to
the principal roadway through Rock Creek
Park This appellation was bestowed by
the Board of Control at its last meeting
out of compliment to Capt. Lansing H.
Beach, until recently the Engineer Com
missioner of the District.
In the line of duty, as the executive Of
ficer of the Board of Control, Captain
Beach inaugurated the chief improve
ments of the park. He supervised the
plans for the construction of the drive
way which now bears his name. HIS in
terest in building up the reservation was
unfiagging, and Rock Creek Park in fu
ture years will a monument 10 the de-
votion of the Com missioner.
The Beach Driveway extends along
the bank Of Rock Creek, following its
course from Klngle Road TO the Military
Road. 1t is about three miles long, and
was recently mt cadamized throughout It's
entire length. With the exception Of about
l 500 feet south of the Pierce Mill Road,
this driveway was constructed and sur
faced under the supervision of Captain
Peach.