Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-02
INTERESTED IN BILLS
EAST WASHINGTON CITIZENS TO
LOOK AFTER LEGISLATION.
Will Defer Order for Summer Recess
Business Before the Associa-
ton Last Night.

East Washington Citizens Association, en-
'erlained the members Of the association
at his home O. East Capitol street last
night Those who attended the meeting were
escorted TO the dining room after the regu-
lar business had been transacted. When
the guests had enjoyed the spread Mr.
clark moved that the committee recently
appointed to find home for the association
be discharged There was not dissenting
vote and Mr.. Smith assured them that he
would be pleased to have them meet at his
home
Prior to the entertainment the members
met in Mr.. Smiths private Office and trans
acted the business of the association. The
matter of summer adjournment was men
toned. but Mr.. Weller said there were SO
many important matters relating to East
Washington pending before Congress that
he thought the motion for summer recess
was premature. He mentioned the union
9epot, the reclamation of the Anacostia
mats mats the construction of a temple of JUS
tlce and other matters, and no action was
taken upon the question of adjournment
MI Weller spoke of the recent bill in
troduced In Congress to require the pay
ment OF personal taxes and declared some
OF its provisions were unjust. The reduc-
ton of the amount of exemption from $500
to 500 he condemned. Under the provisions
of this bill pianos and watches are taxable.
A t1mepiece, he said, is certainly not a lux
ury, while the chairs and ornaments might
be SO styled. The measure he regarded
an important one and some attention should
be paid to it.
The Anacostia Flats.
President Smith spoke of the question
of retaining the Anacostia flats and re-
ferred to bill recently introduced by Rep
resentatve Mudd. Mr.. Smith said he was
very much encouraged over the action of
the Attorney General, who was to have
the matter of land titles along the Ana
costa river examined. This action, he
thought, was of some significance
Mr.. Weller. referring to the bill introduce
ed by Mr.. Mudd, said the measure is weak
In that 1t provides for work to be done I'M
der the supervision of the Commissioners,
when it is known that the work must be
carried on under the supervision of the
Secretary of War.
Mr.. j. w. Babson, chairman of the COM
mittee on public buildings, reporting on the
Supreme Court bill. said he thought Con-
gress would not make appropriation for
this building at this session. Some oppo-
stion, he said, had manifested itself against
the construction of the building across
Maryland avenue, facing the Capitol. The
same objection was raised, he said when
pennsylvania avenue was closed to accom-
modate the Congressional Library build
ing
The chairman of the committee on public
comfort suggested that his committee work
with similar committee of the Board of
Trade. The latter committee, it was stated,
will endeavor to have several such places
provided before the date fixed for the Grand
Army encampment.
Mr.. w. NJ. Williams chairman of the
railroad committee, submitted a series Of
resolutions relative to the proposed union
station. and providing remedy in cases
where property is damaged by the change
in the grade of streets. The substance of
the resolutions was printed In yesterdays
Star
Mr.. Weller said he thought the question
mad been disposed of in the bill introduced
In Congress Monday. Sections of the bill
were read and the associate ion approved the
efforts of Mr.. Williams committee in the
ma tier.
Railway Waiting Station.
A response to a letter sent to the officials
of the Capital Traction Company suggest
Ing the erection of a waiting room at the
eastern terminus Of the road was read It
was stated in the letter that no property is
owned by the company at the place men,
toned, and that such a building cannot
therefore be erected.
1t was suggested that the company might
buy ground enough for this purpose. The
Metropolitan Street Railway Company, he
stated, had expended $4,000 for a waiting
room that is used no more than would be
a similar room at the eastern terminus of
the Capital Traction Company.
Mr.. Weller said he felt certain the COM
pany could get permission to govern
ment property If it so desired.
Before the business of the association
was finished Mr. A. c. Whitney called at
tention to the necessity Of improving 18th
street east from the terminus of the Capt.
tai Traction line to the Congressional ceme-
terry. The Commissioners will be asked to
lay foot pavement on this street.