The Washington times., 1902-07-29
ConnissionersHearBusi-
ness Men on the
Subject.
TAKEN UNDER AMUSEMENT
Arguments for and Against Use of
Pavement on Louisiana Avenue for
Display Of Goods-Peculiar Local Con-
ditions Urged in Advocacy of Petition.

-
A hearing was granted by the District
Commissioners yesterday TO property
holders. merchants, and others interest
ed in the matter of the display of goods
on the sidewalk on the north side OF
Louisiana Avenue northwest. between
Sixth and Seventh Streets. The matter
has been under discussion for some time,
having been brought to the attention OF
the Commissioners through petitions
and otherwise by the parties in business
on that thoroughfare. The latest petit
tion is that signed by Mr.. J. G. Sinclair
and others asking to be permitted to use
ten feet Of space in the center of the
sidewalk for the purpose named.
1t appears from the discussion at the
hearing that peculiar conditions exist on
Louisiana ATenue which the Commits
s!oners were asked to take under con-
sideration. The sidewalk and parking
space is fifty feet wide, removing the
buildings that far from the curb. The
avenue has been declared business
street, and the entire space between the
curb and building line has been bricked
over. making a continuous pavement,
and the contention of the merchants is
that so great a space IS not necessary
for sidewalk purposes.
Desires of Petitioners.
Mr.. Charles W. Darr, representing the
furniture dealers, opened the hearing.
He declared that the desire of the pc
titioners relative to the storing of goods
on the sidewalk for purposes of display
during business hours was very i'm
portant matter to the merchants inter
ested. He said that the privilege of
using the sidewalk is given to furniture
dealers elsewhere. He called attention
to the width OF the sidewalk space, and
said that show windows or confining the
display to the spSce three feet from the
building line vc-Id not suffice the pur-
poses of the petitioners. They would be
forced 10 move TO some other locality
unless they could be accorded the use
of the ten feet of space in the center of
the sidewalk. This Mr.. Darr said would
entail trouble and loss, and they great
ly desired to remain where they are.
IAOSCHptlet
the r. R. Andrews Paper Company.
asked that his clients be allowed TO
keep open the cellar doors of the base
ments of four cellars in which the
goods of the firm are received and
taken out. Mr.. Rosenberg stated that
it was not the desire of his clients 10
make use of the sidewalks for the dis
play of goods, being wholesale mer-
chants, but he complained OF the inter
ference OF the police in allowing the
cellar doors to remain open for the
purpose named.
Importance to Business.
The Mathew C. Emery estate, own
ing a portion of the property, was rep
resented at the hearing by Mr.. W. C.
Clephane, who stated that the petit
tion should be granted, as it was not
only a matter OF convenience but of
vital Importance to the welfare of their
business. He said that the tenants of
the Emery property would have to move
to some other locality if it was not
granted. This, Mr.. Clephane said, would
leave the property yacan*, and he
thought permanently so. N his opin-
ion, the enforcement of the present
GDllIt NOuiu CAUSE I0e- Ndiup
OF the property to deteriorate at leas.
80 per cent.
Mr.. l. Q. II. Award appeared for a
number of residents and property hold
ers on the avenue opposed to the grant
ing of the petition. He complained of
the unsightly and unsanitary character
OF the goods displayed by the second
hand dealers on Louisiana Avenue. He
said much of the stuff was filthy. and
he declared that it had been an increas-
ing source of wonder to him that the
Health Officer had not appeared on the
scene TO condemn and remove much OF
the merchandise, so called, on the score
OF public health.
Mr.. Awards Opposition.
Mr.. Award designated the places of
business referred to as junk shops. and
the material spread over the sidewalks
formerly as the lowest kind of what
might be called property. Mr. Award
called attention TO the regulations re-
Gently promulgated by the Commission
ers and enforced on Louisiana Avenue
confning the display of. goods to the
space within three feet of the building
line. He said that there was a d.gposi-
tion on the part of some to encroach
beyond this space, but he said that gen
eral conditions on the avenue had been
materially improved by the change He
said that the business men. twelve in
number. whom he represented had OBJ
served that their business had improved
since the regulation referred to went
into effect.
At the close Of Mr.. Awards remarks
Commissioner Macfarland stated that
the board had pretty clear understand
ing OF the situation, and that they would
take the matter under advisement and
report 10 the parties interested later.
UNDERGROUND CABLES.
Proposals Received Forwarded to the
District Commissioners