The Washington times., 1902-09-05
East End Suburban Citi-
zens Advocate Larger
Commission.
RECOMMEND BOARD OF FIVE
Creation of Office of District Secretary
Also Indorsed-Would Punish Attor-
neys Who Seek Berths in Public Ser
vice for Clients-Suffrage for District.

The East End Suburban Citizens AS
sociation held it's first fall meeting last
night at the Northeast Temple. In OPEN
ing the meeting alr. William II. Ernest.
the president, referred to the work of
the executive committee during the sum-
mer interval
Attention has been given. he said, to
the widening and improvement OF the
Bladensburg Road to a uniform width
of ninety feet. He referred to the fact
that such Improvement had been begun
and carried about half way to the gate
of Mount Olivet Cemetery. and Mr.. Err
nest stated that the efforts OF the asso-
citation should be directed to the contin-
uation of the work to the District line.
Reference was made to the efforts of
the committee to keep the Chesapeake
Beach Railway Company from occupy
ing the line of Maryland Avenue in the
Improvements made to bring its trains
into the city. Mr.. Ernest stated that
through the efforts of the committee in
appearing before the District Commits
sioners this had been accomplished. He
stated that the company, after the facts
had been placed before the Commission
ers, had yielded to the wishes of the
committee. and had kept their tracks OF
che line of the avenue
The president congratulated the asso-
citation upon the prospect of the early
construction of a new District building
and on the progress of public works un-
der the current appropriation bill.
Attention was invited to the reported
practice of csrtain alleged attorneys who
receive fees from men seeking appoint
Inent in the Fire or Police Departments.
Mr.. Ernest advocated the passage of a
law making conviction of this offense
punishable by fine cf $1,000.
The association adopted resolution
protesting against the present smoke
law and requesting its repeal. resolu-
ton was also passed urging upon the au-
thorities the enacIlent of law creating
a Secretary of the District of Column
bia, who shall be empowered to act as
ity of either of the civil Commission
ers.
In the discussion of the latter resolu-
ticn it was urged that taxpayers should
have voice in the District Board of
Commissioners. 1t vas thought by sew
eral members that each section of the
city ard the county should be repre-
sented in a board of five or six mem
bers, including the Engineer Comr.is-
sioners. No action was taken on the
subject, but one of the members gave |
notice that he would have bill intro |
duced in Congress increasing the men, |
bership of the Beard of Commissioners |
from three TO five.
Mr. W. Mex Clayton. president of
the Brightwood Park Citizens Associa- |
ton, addressed the meeting. He de- |
clared the present form of District gov |
ernment far from ideal. He said the |
people should have a voice in the Sc |
lection of the District Commissioners. |
In conclusion he said he hoped to see
the day when the citizens Of the Dis
trict of Columbia would. by suffrage or
other means. secure the men of their
choice for Commissioners, and dictate
the rate and manner OF taxation.