Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-10
THE CONTRACT OF 1878
SUBURBAN CITIZENS DISCUSS
DISTRICT CONDITIONS.
Criticism Of Mr. Rucker for His Utter
ance Regarding Taxation-Even-
ing Star Complimented.

The Brightwood Citizens Association held
Its regular monthly meeting at the Bright
wood Hotel last. might At the opening of
the meeting President Louis P. Shoemaker
made an address, referring to the fact that
this was the beginning of the third year of
his term as president. He spoke of the
cordial feeling existing between himself and
the members of the association. and asked
for continuance. of their support and con-
sideration.
Mr.. A p. Brown offered resolution,
which was adopted unanimously, thanking
The Evening Star for the part taken by
the paper in opposing the proposed increased
taxation. The resolution, as adopted, Is in
substance as follows:
THE able and consistent arguments re-
Gently made in the editorial columns of The
Star, and the space which that paper has
given otherwise to the proper presentation
of the question of taxation in the District,
Is to be highly commended and appreciated.
The Brightwood Citizens Association, in
regular meeting assembled, extends its
for such action on their part as had, un-
doubtedly, advanced the general welfare OF
the District, by opposing increased taxa
ton and by illustrating the fact that Wash
ington real estate is charged with greater
tax burden than many of our large cities"
Criticise Representative Rucker.
A resolution which was presented by John
Saul was adopted and is as follows:
THE members of the Brightwood Citi-
zens' Association have read with regret the
statement reported in the Washington news
papers as having been made by Representa-
tive Rucker of Missouri to the effect that
he is opposed to giving the people of the
District of Columbia any more liberties I'M
til they assume more of the burdens of the
government We believe that Mr.. Rucker
would not make this statement with refer
cree to his constituents in Missouri, and
we feel that he ought not to have made 1t
with reference to US.
I'VE unhesitatingy state that the land
owners of the District are more heavily
taxed than are those of many of our large
cities, by reason of the fact that this is
the national capital. and we further state,
advisedly, that District land owners have
been, by Congress, required to bear
larger proportion of the burdens of the ma
ton than have been those of any other
city iFthis country. No other city has SO
many streets of such great width, nor are
any of the municipal improvements else
where upon national scale, as they are
very properly in Washington"
1t was ordered that copy of the resolu-
tions be forwarded to Mr.. Rucker.
Thanks to Representative Jenkins.
Mr.. Wilton J. Lambert offered a resolu-
ton thanking Representative Jno. ]. Jenkins
for the consideration which he has given
the District of Columbia. 1t sets forth that
the thanks of s'the Brightwood Citizens
Association In regular meeting assembled
he extended to Representative John ]. Jenk-
ms Of the Districtiof Columbia committee
of the House of Representatives for the con-
sideraton which he has given to District
of Columbia affairs. and particularly for his
views as recently published in local pa
per-"
John G. Keene, the secretary. read a reso-
luton, which was adopted calling the at
tention of the District Commissioners to the
condition of BrightwoDd avenue in the
vicinity of Petworth .r-
Jacob Xander4 Offered O. resolution regard
ing the resolution Offered at the last meet
ing by Mr.. Shoemaker, which cited that
Congress should ascertain, First, to what
extent there hassbeen a departure from the
provisions of the compact of 1878, and that
an appropria ton be made to cover this
amount. Second. that all national improve
ments, particularly those which have been
declared by Congress to be national, such
as Rock Creek Park and the Zoo Park to
which the District has been required to con-
tribute should be refunded to the District
Third, that extraordinary impremenets
which must be made very properly upon a
large scale, far exceeding the needs of the
present generation, but largely for the
benefit and advantage of succeeding gen
erations should be paid for from a fund
created for the purpose and paid back rata
year, reference being made to the filtering
plant. reservoirs, trunk sewers and sewer
age disposal, as well as to costly bridges
and the acquisition of land for the national
street extension plan. Fourth that Congress
shall not in the future depart from the
terms of the organic act, and that it shall
also refrain from the unjust and illegal
practice of making national Improvements
in the District of Columbia by charging ali
or any portion thereof to the land owners
Of the District.
Mr.. Handlers resolution set forth that
Whereas, since the publication of the reso-
luton the United States Senate has, at the
request of Senator William NJ Stewart, re-
quested that the extent to which the United
States has departed from the compact Of
1878 shall be ascertained, and the Bright
wood Citizens Association expresses it's
thanks to Senator Stewart for such action
on his part in compliance with the provis-
ion of the foregoing resolution
1t was ordered that copy of the reso-
luton be duly forwarded to Senator Stew
art by the secretary of the association.
AT the conclusion of the order of business
Capt. Patrick OFarrell and Mr. Thomas T
Hensey addressed the association on the
form of government in vogue in the Dis
trtct.
HIoo 1oo1 1n1y Of