Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-12
EXCEPTIONS TAKEN
MT. PLEASANT CITIZENS CRIT
else COMMISSIONERS.
People Handicapped, They Say, Be-
cause Of Inattention to REQUESTS
a
Business Matters Considered.

II !
Criticism of the District Commissioners
for their alleged failure to take the initia-
tive in the matter of securing legislation for
improvements and for the development Of
Washington formed the principal feature of
the discussions before the regular monthly
meeting of the Mt. Pleasant Citizens Asso-
citation, which was held at the StratfOrd
Hotel last evening. The members of the
association also charged the subordinates
at the District building with indifference to
the desires of the citizens of the District.
The discussion relative to the Commits.
sioners arose upon the introduction of
resolution providing that the subject of
preservation of the parks on the hill be re-
ferred to the. associations committee on
legislation, with instructions to press the
matter before Congress.
Judge F. L. Campbell of the Interior De-
partment, who Is a member of the legisla-
tive committee, opened the discussion by
calling the attention OF the association TO
the difficulties encountered In going before
Congress with requests for improvements
for the District which are not included in
the estimates of the Commissioners. He
criticised the Commissioners for falling to
inaugurate movements for the extension of
streets and other improvements. He de-
clared that the District authorities expect
the citizens Of the District to take the in
the national capital. The citizens of the
District, he said. In reality have no power
to secure legislation.
I'VE are handicapped, said Judge camp
bell because we cannot force the Com
missiOners to do what they ought to do.
The citizens should not be required to take
the initiative in measures for improve
n.ents. for that IL tho duty of those who are
placed at the head Of the District govern
ment."
Mr.. Shoemaker Urges Activity.
Mr.. Louis P. Shoemaker urged the mem
bers Of the association to be active in en-
deavoring to procure favorable legislation.
He said that since the Commissioners seem
to wait for the citizens to begin movements,
the citizens should agitate proposed i'm
provements strenuously although in reality
1t is the duty Of the District authorities to
look after the interests of the city and Dis
trict.
Mr. Donald Mcpherson agreed with the
preceding speakers that it should be the
policy of the Commissioners to take the
initial steps iE. securing legislation Tor ex-
tending streets. opening alleys and Tor
other benefits to the city and to the ciu-
Zens. Remarks along the same lines were
made by several other members of the as
ISOLATION, and the resolution was adopted
and the committee on legislation was In
structed to make strong effort to obtain
favorable action by Congress on several
matters which the Commissioners did not
include In their estimates.
The criticism Of the action of subordinates
In the employ Of the District government
was provoked. by statement made by
Judge Campbell to the effect that he, to-
gether With number of residents on How
ard avenue 'petitioned the Commissioners
that the roadway on that avenue between
18th and 18th streets DO made thirty feet
wide, instead of twentyfour feet wide as
the engineer department proposed The
District authorities, he declared, declined to
ont no of hE al Z
was stated in the engineer department that
Howard avenue Is a minor street." and
the traffic on 1t Is comparatively light.
Judge Campbell denied that the street in
question is minor street, and also claimed
the statement that the traffic on it Is light.
The speaker declared that a subordinate at
the District building gave his opinion on
the matter of widening the roadway, and
that opinion stood in the face of the oppo-
site opinion Of all the residents of the Sec
tion.. l. ~ -.
President Townsend's Remarks.
Colonel E. B. Townsend, president of the
association who presided over the meeting.
at this point, took occasion to express his
opinion on the matter before the associa-
tion. He said that north of Florida avenue
there is a community of possibly 10000 peo-
pie, and yet when such a community goes
before the District authorities unanimously
requesting an Improvement which the Com
missioners have authority to grant, a sub
ordinate Of the government sets up his
opinion against the unanimous wish Of the
community. and the employees opinion pre-
walls as law with the District authorities.
Unless the citizens take active measures to
prevent, he declared, they will be over
ridden by such practices. He cited the case
of the proposed narrowing of the street en-
terfng the Geological Park several years
400 The citizens and the press. he stated.
took up the matter and protested so vigor-
ously that the District authorities finally
acceded to the requests Of the people
Under present conditions said Colonel
Townsend. the people Of the District must
assert themselves In body in order to Sc
cure their rights. for private objections will
not be heard. The associations, he declared.
must fight for their rights or else the width
Of streets and alleys will be prescribed to
improper limits and other improvements
will be denied.
At the close of the discussion Mr.. A. B.
Chatfield presented resolution. which was
adopted to the effect that the association
approves the efforts of Judge Campbell and
his associates to have the roadway on How
ard avenue. between 18th and 18th streets
established at thirty feet in width. 1t being
the sense of the association that this width
Is barely sufficient to accommodate the
travel on the street. The secretary was in
structed to Inform the Commissioners OF
the action.
The following new members were elected
by the association: Thomas G. Upton, John
H Gheen. T. w. Stone. Charles X. Loeffier,
| Charles w. King. Joseph H. Crawford. w.
Percy Crawford and Rev. Joseph r. MCGEE.
During the evening the resignation of
Robert H. Young. as secretary Of the as
ISOLATION, was accepted with regret and Mr..
| William Ramsay was unanimously elected
| to fill the vacancy.
The committee amalgamation of as
sociations on the hill reported that nothing
| had been accomplished since the last meet
| ing in the matter Of combining the associa-
| lions. Mr.. Shoemaker suggested that in
case the associations were combined the
| name of the amalgamated body should be
| the North Central Association of Mount
| Pleasant and Columbia Heights" This was