Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-15
REPRESENTATIONS
..0'T q
Citizens Association Wants
ai1 4 n
Church Property Taxed.
Tvs e
RESOLUTION ADOPTED
ALSO AGAINST BELIEVING EDU-
CATIoNAL INSTITUTIONS.
Demand Made for Ample Fairgrounds
for Children Of Public Schools
Reports of Committees.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED

At the meeting of the Northeast Wash
ington Citizens Association held in North
east Temple last night the association, by
unanimous vote, declared itself as strongly
opposed to exempting from taxation prop
| erty in the District which Is used for re-
| ligious or educational purposes. The mat
ter was brought before the meeting in the
form of resolution presented by Secre-
tary s. sowerbutts, and the resolution was
adopted without dissenting voice.
The resolution which sets forth the SEN
| timent of the association the subject
recites that since the constant encroach-
! ment by the general government and the
various sectarian and unsectarian educa-
| tional institutions of the country on the
real estate in the District of Columbia is
becoming serious menace to the interests
| of the taxpayers, 1t is therefore resolved
| that the Northeast Washington Citizens
Association desires to go on record in ia
| vor of abolishing the entire system of ex-
| empting property from taxation except for
| general governmental purposes, and that
a copy of this resolution be sent to the
other citizens associations and to the Com
| missionerS
| Mr. Sowerbutts, in speaking to his reso-
| luton. said that nearly half the property
| in the District is exempt from taxation.
He said he thoroughly believed in the work
of religious and educational institutions.
| hut since the District comprises such a
! limited area he thought 1t was unjust that
such large blocks of land should be taken
up by these institutions and still be ex-
| empt from taxation. The system of ex-
| emptng from taxation these institutions
which own many thousands of dollars
| worth of property, declared Mr.. Sower
| butts. is all wrong, and measures should
be taken to remedy the evil
| Several other members of the association
| made remarks in line with those of Mr.
| Sowerbutts. and the membership present
| seemed of one mind on the matter.
Reports of Committees.
The meeting called to order by Presi-
dent Evan H. Tucker, and the reports of
| committees were called for.
| Mr.. ]. w Frzzen. chairman of the oom-
| mttee on steam railroads, reported that he
| learns from high authority that the rail-
! road companies expect to be able to land
passengers in the new union station next
| inauguration day. March 4. 1908.
President Tucker. in commenting on the
matter of grade crossings. said: I'VE had
| another ocular demonstration in the ac-
| cident on Florida avenue this afternoon
1 which forcibly suggests to that the abO-
! lition of grade crossings by the railroads
| has not been commencsd any too soon. 1t
| will be a fortunate day for the people of
| this District. well as for the railroads.
| when the grade crossings are entirely done
| away with -"
| President Tucker stated in connection
| with the report of the Committee on streets
| and paving, that the only streets the asso-
! citation could expect to have paved this
| year and the amounts to be expended were
as follows: + street from 4th to 7th.
$4,000. 4th street from F to H, $4,000; c
! street from 10th to 18th. $4,000.
Mr.. Josiah Willard said that there has
been agitation for paving Sth street to
Maryland avenue for twenty years past.
and there is no prospect for having it
| paved for several years yet. The fact is"
he said. I'VE are not going to get any more
improvements for ten years to come Mr.
Willard seemed to think that the debt
which the District would incur in the cree
ton of the new union station would pre-
vent other improvements.
Complains of a Mud Hole.
Mr.. Edwards stated that terrible condi-
ton exists at Florida and Trinidad ave-
nues. Every time there is a heavy rain.
he said. the mud is SO deep in that section
that it is almost impossible to get through.
The mud hole, said Mr. Edwards. extends
for several blocks and causes great incon-
venience to the residents of the section.
Mr.. Foster. chairman of the committee on
public schools, remarked that great deal
has been said regarding the schools, but
little has been done toward their advance
| ment. He suggested agitation to secure
Fairgrounds for the children of the public
SCHOOLS, ana declared that the injury ana
damage done the children because of their
close confinement and lack of exercise In
the public schools of the city Is greater far
than all the damage done to people Of all
ages in the District because of the grade
crossings of the railroads. The crossing
| accidents are more spectacular, but not
| more injurious"
Mrs. Foster also urged that the associa-
ton take up the matter Of better wages for
the teachers of the public schools. Better
salaries for teachers, he declared. will raise
the standard of instructors and men and
women of greater ability will be Induced to
fit themselves for the work of training the
| minds of the children. He also suggested
that the association ought to make contin-
| ual effort TO secure manual training
school for Northeast Washington.
Style Of Street Cars Obnoxious.
When the report Of the committee on pub
| lie conveyances was called for. DR.. L. D.
| Walter entered vigorous protest against
| the new style of old cars which have re-
Gently been placed ON the H street line.
These old cars" said Mr.. Walter. "have
| been run off of other lines because Of the
! objections to them on account of the noise
| they make and other -disagreeable features
| and the street car company has put them
| over here. because its thinks that any old
| thing will go in Northeast Washington. 1t
| is unfair that these cars. which have been
run off of other lines. should be put on the
| II street line. which is tthe most profitable
line in the coifntrys1 according to statistical
| reports The people OF this section will
not tolerate such imposition If it can be
| prevented. go -. mi f3se
Dr.. Walters ren1arksr were heartily con-
Cured in by all the members of the asso-
| citation present. TAe cars, it was stated
| are combination CARS. end were designate
| as cattle cars" ~ od
| The matter was refefred to a committee
consisting of Major B mike, DR.. Walter and
Mr. Lang. who were fAstructed to call on
| the president of the,streBt railroad company
with view to hHvings the Objectionable
| cars taken off the line.
DR.. Walter, as chairman OF the committee
| on police and fire department. reported that
| the committee ind6rsed the maj or's recon-
mendation regarding an increase in the
| salary of police ohlcefa. and the recon-
! mendation Of Firas Chief Belt respecting
| the addition OF three new engines for the
| department. 20 s'sins-
No Jurisdiction.
| A resolution from the Citizens North
west Suburban Association, protesting
against the displaying of For Sale and
For Rent signs on houses and bill boards
in the city and suburbs, was presented
before the association. asking its members