The Washington times., 1902-02-14
FOR BENEFIT OF
GARBAGE COMPANY
Alleged Reason For Paving
Streets in Southeast.
PROPERTY HOLDERS PROTEST
Mr.. John Il. DOnOhOe Addresses the
district Commissioners on the
Legality of Assessment Against
His Property for Curbing.

sensation was created at the Distric
Building yesterday when the morning
mail was laid before the Commissioners
One Of the letters was from MIR. John
f. Donohoe. in which he made the start
ing declaration that certain street in
the southeast section of the city had been
! paved at the instigation of the Superin-
tendent of Street Cleaning for the special
benefit of garbage company.
MT. Donohoe writes in answer to letter
from the secretary to the Commissioners
informing him that the assessments
against property on X Street southeast
for curbing, etc, were legal and must
be paid. Mr.. Donohoe says that he is
aware of the fact that such assessments
are legal, and that the courts will sus-
tain the Commissioners in the collection
OF them, but he says that these assess
ments were made under extraordinary
circumstances.
Objection of Property Holders.
In this case continues Mr.. Donohoe,
a great wrong has been perpetrated upon
us as property owners by having these
garbage company. The District authori-
ties were duly apprised of the reason why
these improvements were being made
prior to the commencement of the work
on said street We as property holders
strenuously objected to such improve
ments being made as they were entirely
unnecessary and the value of the property
long a
improvements.
FOR the above reasons we refused to
pay said assessments and shall so con-
tinue to refuse for the further reason
that we believe said assessments to be ex-
tremely harsh, inequitable, and unjust
We believe and know that undue influence
was brought to bear on the department to
make these improvements, and we are
willing and ready to substantiate this al
legation. We, the property holders, did
not give our assent to such work, but on
the contrary we urgently protested against
the same being made and alleged excel
lent reasons therefor,
Ask That AsseSsment he Set Aside.
1T is within the power and authority
vi sOuT HoHurdDle DUuy 10 annul ana set
aside these assessments We have brought
to your attention certain facts of sufi-
cient weight to induce you to cancel these
unjust assessments. However, il you do
not deem it right to accord us the relief
desired, we shall be reluctantly compelled
to explain and show this entire affair to
Senator Mcmillan. chairman of the Senate
District Committee, and have said COM
mittee order an investigation.
Such procedure will undoubtedly dis
close the fact that this work was begun
and finished solely for the benefit and adj
vantage of the garbage company. We be-
lieve that this circumstance can be salts
factorily corroborated by the testimony of
certain District officials
Little Used for Traffic.
Even today very few people use this
street for the purpose of traffic, other than
the said garbage company. This honor
able body may not know the true con-
dition of this street. Therefore, We should
suggest that it would not be unwise for
you to enjoy drive along this cutoff
and comparatively isolated thorOughfare
and observe the property located on said |
street and ascertain for your own in |
formation whether OF not such improve /
ments were required.
1T seems as though you leave this /
whole matter in the charge of the official .
who was instrumental in having this work
done. He ignored our protests. and from