The suburban citizen., 1901-11-09

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that is more apt to be enacted into law
than the more expensive one which con-
templates raising the flats to height of
fourteen feet above datum
This subject is one OF such over
towering importance as to be worthy
of our best thought and effort which |
hope will be Immediately given
STREET EXTENSION.
The question OF opening new roads
through the territory lying between the
| Benning road and the Bladensburg road,
which comprises 1900 acres OF land, is
one Of such great local importance to
every property-owner and resident, not
! only within those bounds, but contigu-
Gus thereto, that it was taken up at the
| first meeting Of the executive commit
! tee and gone over very thoroughly, the
result being a recommendation that the
| following highways be opened: Mary
! land avenue from 18th street to M
street. 28th street from Bennng road
to Bladensburg road; M street from
| Bladensburg road to Goth street, and
! street from Bladensburg road to 2Sth
street We came to the conclusion that
il those highways were opened it would
! furnish an outlet to practically every
! BODY in that immediate territory and re-
suit in the rapid upbuilding OF the same,
and in enhancing the value OF every
foot of ground in that great triangle.
The well-known unwillingness on the
part OF owners of property in that sec
ton to dedicate land for highway pur-
poses, owing in some cases to selfish
ness, in others to stubbornness, and in
others to ignorance, has for many years
operated as a drawback to the develop
ment of that section and almost dis
heartened us at the very outset, but
when our plans were laid before you
and received your hearty sanction, we
had maps and plans prepared under Off
cial supervision and went about the task
OF getting signatures. Accompanied by
the vice-president and secretary OF the
association, we spent the best part OF
day in getting one signature. then be-
came disgusted with the task and turned
it over to the secretary OF this associa-
tion, who was afterwards empowered by
the executive committee to exert his
utmost endeavors in obtaining the con-
sent of owners who were in favor OF
progress
! am now most happy to state that
as a result of his labors fourteen own
ers OF property along 18th street have
signed and three others have promised
their signatures, leaving only one who
refuses.
The ground thus dedicated, am glad
to inform you, comprises more than IS
per cent. Of the total length OF the pro-
posed highway and nsures it being
opened at an early date.
The signatures OF all owners OF prop
erty along r street have also been OBJ
tanned, with the exception OF MesSrs.
Hitchcock & Harris, trustees OF the
Corcoran estate, and they have each
consented to sign provided their attor-
ney can see no legal objection to the
same, He is on his way from Europe
and will render his decision when he
arrives, which will be in a few days.
The signature OF the trustees will COM
plete the dedication Of r street and in
sure its opening.
NJ street has been dedicated from the
river clear through to the Huhn prop
erty on Bladensburg road and the ad-
ministrators OF the estate of the late
owner are now debating the advsability
Of applying to the Orphans Court for
authority to dedicate ground for the
opening OF that street so as to make the
tract available for immediate subdi-
vision by whomsoever purchases it. The
closest scrutiny confirms the belief that
if the government opens the street at its
own expense it would save the new
owners a considerable sum- No one
would think OF buying the tract for resi-
dence purposes, hence when it is sold 1t
will be purchased for subdivision, and
when it is subdivided it must be in ac-
cordance with the street extension plan.
Practically every property-ow
along the proposed extension of Mary
land avenue has agreed to dedicate
ground for the opening Of said highway.
In the beginning all was darkness so
far as street extension matters are
concerned but now all is light and |
want to tender public acknowledgment
to every one whose wisdom led him to
board the car OF progress.
Before dismssing this street exten-
sion matter | crave your indulgence for
a few moments while we review, Tor the
benefit OF some who have withheld their
signature, the recent decision Of the Su-
preme Court of the United States on
street extension cases which involved
the right of Congress in providing for
the extension and opening of streets
through condemnation proceedings, to
fix the percentage of assessments OF
damages and benefits. The court in
those cases reiterates its conclusions
that the United States possess com
plete jurisdiction, both OF a political
and municipal nature, over the District
OF Columbia" and that the I4th amend
ment to the Constitution OF the United
States applies only to action by States
and not to the acts Of the government
OF the United States
The courts decision sets aside the de-
cree OF the Court Of Appeals OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia in reversing the judg-
ment of the Supreme Court of the Dis
! 49, IL Cnl...,,k.n 10, nlar.,.in.. Ak, ..n-