Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-07
AFFAIRS IN EAST END
CITIZENS, ASSOCIATION DISCUSS.
Es LOCAL INTERESTS.
Address by Mr.. L. P. Shoemaker on
Subject of Taxation-NAt1ona and
District Improvements.

Nv 1o,;sp Sboemaker was the principal
speaker at the regular meeting OF the East
| End Suburban Citizens AssoSiatio1l held IN
Northeast Temple last night He was
present by invitation. His address dealt
with questions relating to taxation. and set
forth the difference between improvements,
national in their character, ana those which
are helpful to the people or the District.
There are, he said. about So,"o taxpayers
in the District of Columbia who are COM
pelIed by the government to aid in footing
bills for purposes in which they have but
little more interest than the cltlzens or the
states Mr. Shoemaker referred to the SUBJ
division of outlying lands. and showed how
nronertv owners are sometimes forced to
submit to arrangements, with respect to
street extension and other improvements
which are not only opposed by their judg-
ment, but are antagOnlStlc 10 their inter-
eStS.
The National Geological Park furnished
an appropriate illustration or the point In
question Despite the fact, he said. that the
institution is' national In Its character, the
government had set apart half the cost of
maintaining and improving 1t to be borne
by the taxpayers of the District. Such
burdens he considered unjust. While he
hoped to see the work of identifying the
city go on until Washington holds first
place among the worlds splendid capitals
he is opposed he declared. to the policy in
augurated by the government. which failed
to distinguish between national and local
improvements and which, therefore, i'm
posed upon the residents of the District
financial obligations which should rest upon
the shoulders Of the people of the states
That Mr.. Shoemaker's views elicited> the
approval Of the association was evidenced
by the frequent and liberal applause with
which they were greeted.
The Terminal Bill.
The Mcmillan terminal bill came In for a
short but sharp discussion, which was par
ticipated in by Messrs. A. M. Raymond,
Robert Boteller, w. ]. Dunno. Charles r.
Talbert, ]. NJ. Burns and others. The sec
rotary called attention to numerous changes
recently made in the bill and pointed out
the various ways IN which the construction
of the proposed viaduct would fnjure the
citizens of Northeast Washington Mr.
Dunno said steps should be taken to con-
viIce the District Commissioners that the
sentiment Of the people Is opposed to the
plan proposed in Senator McMlllanS meas
IRE. This brought out the statement that
a week or two ago President Ernest, who
presided at the meeting, had addressed the
Commissioners a letter, asking them to
grant the association hearing before
finally returning me bill to the Senate COM
mittee having it in charge. No reply, how
ever had been received to the note. Mr.
Boteller then moved that a committee of
three be appointed by the chair to confer
with similar committees to be appointed by
the other aSSocia ions of the District for
|'the purpose Of taking united action look
ing to the defeat of the bill. President
Ernest named the following gentlemen
Messrs. Robert Bowdler, J. NJ. Burns and
W. ]. Dunno.
Police, Fire and Light.
The committee on police, fire and light re-
ported resolution calling upon Congress
to pass bill authorizing the use OF electric
lights. by means of wires on poles, east of
Rock creek and beyond Florida avenue.
The secretary was directed to forward
copies of the resolution to the District Com
missioners and to each of the members of
the Senate and House committees on the
District of Columbia
The secretary announced that he had re-
ceived a properly executed deed to land
dedicated for the extension of r street to
2Sth street northeast.
Mr.. Dunno. from the special committee ap-
pointed to promote the construction of cross
town street railway in East Washington de-
1ivered verbal report in which he said the
matter had been thoroughly considered by
the subcommittee of which he was a mem
Der, and by the general committee made up
from the various associations of the Dis
tr1ct. Arrangements had been made, he
said, for hearing before the Commissions
ers. Several routes had been suggested. but
none had been agreed upon. 1t was hoped,
however, that the coming conference at the
District building will result In definite and
satisfactory action of some kind