Evening star., 1902-03-15
BR|GHTWOOD CITIZENS
Large Attendance at the AS
sociation Meeting.
WANT BETTER STREETS
PLAN OPPOSED.
Formation Advocated Of National So
ciety for the Aggrandizement
of National Capital.
BETTER STREETS

its regular monthly meeting last evening
at its hail in Brightwood. Mr.. Louis P.
Shoemaker, the president of the association,
was in the chair and J. G. keene acted as
secretary.
A large number of members were In at
tendance, and many resolutions of import
ance to residents Of all sections were thor
oughly debated and acted upon. After the
minutes Of the previous meeting had been
disposed of, Mr.. Blair Lee chairman of the
social committee which some time ago was
charged with the duties of furthering the
extension of 18th and 14th streets, and the
obtaining of donations for the area en-
braced within such streets. presented re
port to the present condition of these
bills In Congress.
Mr. Lee made an exhaustive and interest
ing account of the obstacles that had been
encountered by the committee and of the
success which had met their efforts in re-
gard to the extension of both streets, and
especially with reference to 14th street, con-
corning which. he said large percentage
of the land had already been donated
through to the District line. He took ex-
ception to the recent action Of the Commits
sionerS upon these bills which. he said.
had resulted in such changes as would
largely nullify the benefit Of the extension.
Opposed to Commissioners Plan.
Mr. Lee expressed himself as decidedly
opposed to the Commissioners plan Of stop
ping 14th street at the northern boundary
of the Saul tract, instead of running the
same to Brightwood or the District line.
claiming that. while 1t might be necessary
to condemn the land through the Patter-
son tract between the Saul land and Bright
wood, the net damages would unqueStion-
ably be very small, as there would without
doubt be a large finding of benefits. Mr..
Lee also read long printed letter which
he had written to Senator Mcmillan, chair
man Of the Senate committee of the Dis
trict of Columbia, presenting Ills Views in
opposition to the proposed amendments to
the 18th street bill
At the close of Mr.. Lees remarks Mr..
Fulton r. Gordon and Mr. r. NJ. Johnson
presented resolutions disapprOving the re-
port made by the Commissioners and ask
ing that further consideration be given, and
that 18th street be extended to the District
line and 18th to Piney Branch road or Mill
tary road, which were passed.
Mr.. Thomas Blagden presented a resolu-
ton expressing the thanks Of the assocfa-
tion to Commissioner John w. Ross for the
stand he had taken on behalf Of the people
In the recent street car matters, In which
the Commissioner had advocated adequate
seating accommodations for the citizens OF
the suburbs.
A resolution was also approved recon-
mending the name Of Lincoln National Mil
itary Park for the proposed park to be es-
tablshed at Fort Stephen.
Poor Streets Receive Attention.
Mr.. Jacob Xander presented resolution.
which was passed, calling the Commission
ers' attention to the unsatisfactory condi-
tion of Brightwood avenue and resolution
was also adopted calling the Commission
ers' special attention to the deplorable con-
dition existing upon the 18th street road
due to the havoc made by the heavy wagons
hauling for the construction OF the reser-
voir near Brightwood.
Mr. Wilton J. Lambert then addressed the
meeting at some length upon the recent
parking commission and the plans made by
1t in the interests OF the greater w ash
ington. Mr. Lambert contended that It
was with feeling Of pride that the citizens
throughout the entire country viewed the
proposed improvements and changes to be
made, which would necessarily result in
rendering the capital Of this nation the
most beautiful city In the world. and in
this connection he submitted q resolution
providing for the formation of a national
society for the aggrandfzement Of Washing
ton upon the plans prepared by the parking
The resolution quoted the words OF Sen
ator Hoar upon this subject on the floor OF
the Senate March 6. when he declared that.
as the government is q. great property
owner here. the credit of the city Of WASH
ington is the credit of the nation. The reso-
luton was warmly seconded In a few fOrci-
BILE remarks by Mr.. Shoemaker and several
other members of the association and was
unanimously passed.
Commendatory Resolutions.
Mr.. Van Horn submitted q resolution
commencing the work done by the railroad
committee in connection with the amend
ments suggested by 1t on behalf Of
Brightwood In the bill now pending for
the regulation of street car traffic In the
District Of Columbia. and extending the
thanks Of the association particularly to
the president, to Mr.. Robinson, chairman
Of the railroad committee. and to Mr.. Will
ton J. Lambert. the attorney for the asso-
ciation. these gentlemen having been
charged with the special duty of drafting
the amendments and presenting the matter
In a recent hearing before the Commission
ers. at which 1t was declared the delegates
from the different associations were empow-
cred to represent the wishes Of over 100000
residents OF the District.
At the close Of the business meeting Mr..
F. w. Smith. the guest Of the evening, ad-
the formation Of National Society for the
Aggrandizement Of Washington, and de-
clared that Pennsylvania avenue should be
redeemed, as was Paris. by an entirely
new system Of buildings.
He advocated the raising Of fund of
$50, 100000 for carrying out the projects un-
der contemplation, claiming that the money
was now on hand; that 1t could not be bet
Ter OE more wisely SpeuIp AuO IIldI IL was
time to stop what he claimed to have been
the hating and retrograde movement of
the past fifty years. He argued that the
proposed expenditure was small In compari-
son with that used In Paris for similar pur-
poses.
Washington's Future.
Mr.. A. Reed Of New York addressed the
meeting Interestingly upon what he con-
ceived to be the great future In store for
Washington and the surrounding country.
and the great good to be accomplished by
the organized effort OF the citizens In max
Ing Congress and the Commissioners ac-
quainted, through the public press. and
otherwise. with the true situation Of at
fairs and their needs. and he suggested that
as the capital city was really for the bene-
At of the United States 1t might be wen
to raise the funds desired on q basis of a
small contribution In accordance with the
number Of Inhabitants OF the United States
The meeting adjourned until the second
Friday Of next month. at which time the
election Of officers for the ensuing year win
be held.
Naval Appropriation Bill.
The House committee on naval affairs
yesterday concluded Its hearings on the ma