Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-24
ATTORNEY coxs PROTEST
CHANGE IN STREET NOMENCLATURE
IN THE SUBURBS.
Regards Proposed System as Objee-
ffonab1e and Believes 1t VIII
Cause Confusion.

Attorney Francis NJ. Cox has written the
Commissioners at length protesting against
certain features of the proposed changes
in the names Of the streets of the sub
urbs. Mr.. Cox says:
Being the owner of improved real estate
at the corner of 4th and v streets north
east, in the subdivision known as Center
lexington, l beg leave to submit very
briefly some views 1 have regarding the
proposed nomenclature of streets as set
forth in the recent report OF the assist ant
computing engineer.
My suggestions relate exclusively to sub
divisions in the northeastern and north
western sections Of the District. within the
original alphabet of the city. but outside
Of Florida avenue, such as lexington, Cen
ter lexington and Bloomingdale and LIE
Droit Park and I express the views OF
some other property owners Of those SUBJ
divisions as well as my own.
Florida avenue, which originally formed
the northeastern boundary Of the city,
takes a southeasterly direction, thus BIZ
secting number of the lettered streets In
the northwesterly and northeasterly Sec
tions of the city, from w street northwest
to F or G streets northeast.
by the proposed plan of nomenclature
it is proposed to change the names of all
these streets from the crossing Of Florida
avenue eastward. The effect of this will
unquestionably be, not only to perpetuate
Florida avenue as the original boundary Of
the city, in conflict with the spirit OF re-
cent and contemporary legislation. but to
create and increase, rather than reduce.
confusion in the ascertainment OF localt-
ties.
1T will also. in the opinion of real estate
men of this section. in which I fully con-
cur. tend to impair the value Of real estate
in these subdivisions, and thus operate as
an unfair discrimination against them. The
fact Of being within the original alphabet
of the city ha sheen deemed to be, and
doubtless is. an element Of value to prop
erty in these favored locations: but this
fact will no longer be self-evident after the
proposed nomenclature has been adopted.
Element Of Confusion.
1T must appear to your honorable board
upon the merest inspection Of the plan OF
proposed alteration that there will be
considerable element of confusion and In
congruity to a stranger who starts out for
drive along that fashionable thorough
fare Of the northwestern section Of the
city known as . street, to find himself sud-
denly in Quarrel street
1.-The only explanation that can be given
him is that he has crossed the original
boundary line of a century ago and Is now
among what the old Romans termed the
outside barbarians.'
Il have been made aware of the fact
through the courtesy Of Captain Newcomer.
Assistant Engineer Commissioner, in
is the hope an depreciation Of your hon
orable board ultimately to remove this in
congruty Of nomenclature by the applica-
ton of the same monosyllabic names to all
the streets Of the original city
But this hope and expectation Is based
solely on the further hope and expectation
of obtaining the necessary power through
the legislation Of Congress, and may be
long deferred.
Suggests Delay.
1.-THE practical point of my contention Is
whether it Is not better to suspend the ex-
ercise of the authority supposed to be de-
rived from the act of 1898 in respect Of
these subdivisions above referred to, which
are already within the original alphabet Of
the city, until such time as Congress shall
have conferred the authority to deal uni
formly with the whole section covered by
the original alphabet.
Capt. Newcomer, thought, appeared in
our talk to regard this point not with
out force: and hope that your honorable
board may. upon mature consideration be
convinced of the propfiety OF modifying the
proposed plan for the present, to the ex-
tent indicated.
"It appears to me to be doubtful whether
the act of 1898 really contemplated any
change nirespect to extension Of :ne city
beyond Florida avenue which are within
the original alphabet"