Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-21
CHANGE IN DEPOT BILL
RECOMMENDED BY SOUTH WASH
INGToN ASSOCIATION.
Improvements of Capital at National
Expense Advocated-Park Com
mission Plans Approved.


South Washington Citizens Association
was held last night in the parish hall of
Grace Episcopal Church, corner of 9th and
d streets southwest and at the conclusion
of the meeting the association adjourned
to meet the third Tuesday in October.
]. H johnson offered a resolution sug-
costing change in the proposed route OF
the Pennsylvania railroad under the new
union depot bill. Mr.. Johnson, in support
of the resolution, said that the route pro-
posed by him was the best adapted for all
purposes. After a general discussion it
was unanimously adopted The resolution
calls for the appointment of committee of
five to prepare plans and present them to
the District committee of the House of
Representatives.
The resolution as adopted is to the effect
that 1t is proposed under the union station
bill as passed by the United States Senate
May Is, 1902. to take from public and
donate to the railroad companies the larger
portion of Maryland and Virginia avenues
lying in the southwest section of the city,
thereby running these beautiful avenues,
one of which leads from the Capitol build
ing to Potomac Park and is deliberately
treated under the plans of the park COM
mission.
The Grant Opposed.
I'm view of the contemplated removal Of
the railroad station from the mall there
exists good and sufficient reason for
the proposed grant to the railroad COM
panies of the public land comprising Mary
land and Virginia avenues and the parking
spaces adjacent thereto. Therefore the
South Washington Citizens Association
earnestly and vigorously protest against
that part of the union station bill which
gives over to the railroad companies GER
tain portions of Maryland and Virginia
avenues lying in the southwest section of
the city, and we ask that the union station
bill be amended to provide for the
railroad companies to reach the station by
avenue southwest"
The James Creek Canal.
President Scaggs stated that he would
announce the committee provided for in
the resolution in few days. He spoke
at some length on the necessity of
erecting at once a fence around the banks
OF the James Creek canal. He said the
District Commissioners have asked Con-
sress Tor money with which to construct a
board or picket fence around the death
trap, but he was of the opinion that an
better. ~
A resolution thanking the superintendent
OF pubic buildings and grounds for beallti-
lying the public reservation on the west
sue OF 9th street between Virginia avenue
ana Z street southwest was unanimously
adopted. A copy of the resolution will he
forwarded to the superintendent of public
buildings and grounds by the secretary Of
the association.
Commencing Commission Plans.
A resolution commenting and approving
the plans for the extension and improve
meht OF the public parks, as set forth In
the plans of the parking commission sub
United to Congress, was adopted
The resolutions ask that there he formed
III the District of
ciety Tor the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of Washing
ton and suggest that this society circulate
sucn plans as have been prepared bv the
park commission after their annrovaI Nv
Nohs[ess' or any subsequent plan which
may be prepared or suggested for tho inn
proVement of Washington and benefit Of
tne nation, at the national expense the
same being a federal undertaking. ana he
yond the mere local needs and necacsities
ol the taxpayers of the District: Mat all
local improvements necessary and for the
penent OF local taxpayers be paid for one
half by the people of the District and tho
other half by the United States as stinu,at
ed IN the compact or organic act of ls7e.
fureher, that 1t is the firm belief Of the
members of this association that the peonle
OF thls country are in favor of extensive
national improvements and desire to Coo
NdShlnston made what it ought to be as
tne capital city of this great country at
na.ioIlal expense: that the people of this
natlon Will not advocate that the land own
ers OF the District Of Columbia shall he
required to pay more than their Just pro-
portion Tor federal Improvement that the
peop!e OF tne states are imbued with the
spirit of fairness as well as Justice. and
consequently. opposed to a levy of taxation
LOT national purposes upon the 30 600 pron
erty owners of the District of Columbia TO
burdensome extent which must follow If
improvements of national character. such
as general street extension plans and the
suggestions OF the park commission, are to
OF the District of Columbia"