The Washington times., 1903-09-06

the completed road. on the day of Presi-
dent CIeveland's second Inauguration.
March 4, 1898. The changes since then
may be set down to the foresight and
energy displayed by the Brightwood
Citizens Association.
Active in Other Directions.
Under the lead of Mr. Gateley. the
association was active in other direc-
tions. Attention was drawn then to the
need for the improvement of streets,
sewers, lights, and many other things
which have since been realized. The
citizens kept at IL with wonderful peril
nacity and patience until the suburban
section along Brightwood Avenue began
to take on the appearance of an impor-
tame gateway to a big city Some of
the most important improvements were
begun then. Gas was extended to
Brightwood, and the District Commits
sioners were urged with untiring impor-
tunity to supply the section with water.
William V. Cox, now president OF the
Second National Bank, was the third
president of the association. He fol-
lowed out the policies adopted under
President Gateley and started new ones.
He became a leader of acknowledged
force for the public good. and several
improvements date from his incumbencv
Of the position, notably the appropria-
ton from Congress for the fire engine
house which for several years has been
a protection to property in that locality.
Louis P. Shoemaker was elected presi-
dent of the association in April. 1900.
and has succeeded himself twice since.
Under his able direction the associa-
tion has taken perhaps the first place
among the organizations of its kind in
the District Mr.. Shoemaker, aside from
having large property interests in that
| section, lives Just outside of Takoma,
and has the most lively interest in the
development of the Brightwood section
! He has been untiring in the pursuit OF
Improvements, and has given to the as
sociation as its president an impo-.
| tance at the District Building and before
the committee of Congress that it never
| had before
Work of Mr.. Shoemaker.
As soon as he was in the chair Mr.
! Shoemaker laid down four lines of pol
/ icy, which the members have cordially
aided him in carrying out The first
was that the association should WORK
| hard for the interests OF Brightwood.
| The second was that IL should labor
with equal diligence for the improve
ment of the whole District. The third
was that an instructive bent should be
given TO the meetings by inviting prom
iEent men from time TO time TO deliver
addresses, which would give the mem
bers something to think of and work
for. The fourth was that a social fea.
ture should be added in the way of a
luncheon after each meeting, at which
the members could get we'll acquainted
and talk over informally the interests o,
the locality.
One Of the first things undertaken by
Mr.. Shoemaker was the extension OF
Sixteenth Street. He appointed Thoma4
Blagden chairman OF the committee on
streets. roads and bridges Mr.. Blagden
undertook, in that capacity, to secure
the donations OF property for the open
ing Of that thoroughfare, and 10 effect
the dedication OF the same to the Gov
ernment. Within eighteen months q
per cent OF the property in the line OF
Sixteenth Street, from Morris Road to
the District line, was formally dedicat-
ed, and a bill was introduced in Con-
gress and passed for the opening of the
street. In this important Improvement
for the suburban territory the Bright
wood Association worked in harmony
with the Mount Pleasant Citizens Asso-
citation. At the last session of Congress
Mr.. Shoemaker, Mr.. Blagden and Others
secured the enactment OF legislation au-
thorizing the grading and paving of Six
teenth Street from Morris Road 10 PARK
Street, and the macadamizfng of the
HLl lttN ~ bAS IiNcJ bIdUCl ROAD. Tho
Association is pledged 20 continue its
work along this line until the thorough
fare is graded and macadamized TO thu
District line.
Paving Brightwood Avenue.
Dating back TO the presidency OF Mr..
Cox began the agitation for the Improve
ment OF Brightwood Avenue. This street
was paved with granite block from Flor
ida Avenue some distance northwsrd
but beyond the pavement was a waste
and bowling wilderness so far as a
passable highway was concerned. Two
years ago legislation was secured and
the avenue macadamized beyond Whit
ney Avenue, and it is now one OF the
best roads leading out Of Washington.
Attention is now being given TO the
lower end OF the road, and the associa-
tion hopes TO obtain an appropriation
for paving IL with asphalt from Florida
Avenue to Richmond Street, or through
the subdivision OF Petworth When this
is done Brightwood Avenue will be an
ideal roadway from the center OF the
city to the District line. aud driveway