Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-04
WANTS PUBLIC PARK
THE VIEWS OF A COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS CITIZEN.
Association Meets to Discuss I'm
provements- for 10th
Street Appropriation.

The Columbia Heights Citizens Associa
| ton met last night at the Savoy, President
| Alphonso Hart in the chair. The attendance
was small, and only routine business wa.
| transacted. 1t was deemed inexpedient tt
consider the constitutional provision, pro-
posed by Secretary w. B. Todd, for meet
ings when there was demand for them in
stead of the present monthly meetings. BY
| mutual consent such consideration was
postponed until the May meeting, when, !,
was expected, the election of officers would
bring out more members.
The need of stone crossing over Hol-
mead avenue at Lydecker street and of -four
additional lamps on the latter street be-
tween Holmead avenue and 14th street was
noted by Mr. B. F. Brockett, and the COM
mittee on streets was instructed to request
the commissioners to supply the same.
The failure of Congress to establish a
public spark at the corner of Columbia road
and 18th street was commented on by j. S.
McCalmont. a member of the committee on
parks. He deprecated the position of the
writer Of a recent article in local paper,
who held that the people of the District,
having the National Park, needed no others.
The small local parks close at hand, he felt
assured would be of infinitely greater bene-
mt to the children of community He took
occasion to commend The Star for it's re-
cent editorial on the adjustment Of taxation
In the District Of Columbia.
Could Not Make Definite Statement.
communication was read from Vice
President Harries of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company stating, in an
sWer to the secretary's recent letter, that
the condition of the iron market prevented
any definite estimate as to the time when
the construction of the 18th street extern
sion OF the line would be commenced. The
communication was laid on the table for
consideration at the next meeting.
Mr.. l.. P. Shoemaker, president of the
Brlghtwood Citizens Association, was in
Vlted to address the meeting. He severely
criticised the growing practice of Congress
IN compelling the District to pay for ma
payments had to be made out of current
revenues. If 1t be the settled policy to
compel extraordinary payments by the
District, he suggested Congress should au-
try might know what is exacted from the
District taxpayers. He reminded his hear
ers that though District revenues might
be honestly expended they were not al
ways judicially applied, this fact being
fully appreciated by the District taxpayer
in such matters as national bridges, depots,
ETC. Every taxpayer, in his opinion, should
use all legitimate influence with members
OF Congress to have the gross Inequalities
corrected.
Objects to Half and Half Principle.
Mr.. E. B. Townsend, president of the Mt
Pleasant association, responded to a call
for remarks. He was inclined to question
the justice of the half -and-half principle
in the District, while nowhere else did
Congress require for its improvements any
contribution from local taxpayers. In re-
fecting upon the sad condition Of the District
taxpayer, imposed upon him by the taxing
power, he was forcibly reminded of the
mule, which had no pride in ancestry nor
hope Of posterity.
motion was adopted expressive Of ap-
proval Of Commissioner Macfarland's re-
appointment. 1t was also voted to thank
the Commissioners and District commit
tees in Congress for their successful eff
forts in securing the appropriation for i'm
proving 10th street, and to express regret
at their inability to secure an appropria-
ton for 14th street.
The association resolved to extend any
aid in its power to the Brightwood associa-
ton in the effort to have the present traffic
arrangements of the 9th street line contfu-
ued far north as Brightwood