The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-15
CITIZENS
REGISTER PROTESTS
Commissioners Street Pol
icy Is Condemned.
SCORE RAILROAD COMPANIES
Present Tax Exemption Law Declared
Devoid of Equity and List Asked
of Assessor.

The regular December meeting OF the
Northeast Washington Citizens Asso-
citation, held last evening IN Northeast
Temple. was productive of many pro-
tests. The policy Of the District Com
missioners was condemned. in so far
as the desire to narrow improved streets
is concern ID; the railroad companies in
terested IN the construction OF the
Union 2-ssion were scored for an al
legged peRurious system of Improvement:
fault was found with the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company for keeping GER
tain crossing gates closed, and the pres
ent tax exemption law was declared
devoid of equity.
President Evan II. Tucker presided.
In commenting on the character Of the
terminal improvements, he said the pol
icy of the railroad companies Is parsi-
monious and calculated to initiate
against the beauty of the building The
particular item which worried Mr..
Tucker most was the change in plans of
the terminal so that tracks win be COW
cred by separate train sheds, instead of
having a single shed covering all tracks.
He argued that by this newer method
smoke would percoiate into and con-
taminate the atmosphere for many
blocks adjacent to the station he be-
lieved that with the large shed the
smoke would be condensed to a far
greater degree
Narrowing of Streets.
Several weeks ago a committee from
the Northeast Washington Citizens As
ISOLATION called on the District COMMITS
sioners and demaRJed that E Street
northeast, between Fourth and Elev-
enth Streets. be left its original width.
thirty-hve feet The engineer depart
ment had ordered the street narrowed
to thirty feet. because of the money
saving effect by not having 20 pave the
extra FIVE feet OF space. The Commits
sioners acknowledg their position
wrong and acquiesced in the wishes OF
the association as expressed by its con-
mittee.
Last night the association strongly
condemned the policy generally which
would even permit the narrowing OF any
improved street in the District. to say
nothing OF the city proper. A resolu-
ton. offered by S. Sowerbutts, secre-
tary, was adopted, requesting Congress
to insert in the act making appropria-
lions fer work on streets and avenues
in the District for the next fiscal year
a provision which Will specifically forbid
the narrowing of any improved street.
A resolution presented by Mr.. Fleming
was adopted, calling for the united ac-
ton of all citizens associations toward
obtaining a better quality Of gas in the
District Or. Walter informed the asso-
citation that he had received many pro-
tests against the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad keeping it's gates at the Sew
enth Street crossing closed down after
IL O'Clock al night, as IL might prevent
fire engines having ready. access TO that
part OF the city in case of fire. He was
instructed 10 ask the aid OF the police
in avoiding the nuisance complained Of.
Oppose Exemptions.
The final business transacted by the
association was by no means the least
Important II was this organization
which several months ago began the
opposition 10 the present law which
exempts from taxation all property of
educational, charitable, and religious in
stitutlons IN the District. Early last
fail II adopted a resolution opposing tax
exemption except in the case of the Fed
eral Government.
In order to place this opposition on
frrner foundation, the secretary Of the
association was directed to ask the Tax
Assessor TO forward TO the association
list. including values, OF all property en-
joying tax exemption because OF relis-
ious. charitable, or educational owner
ship. The next meeting or the associa-
ton VIII be held the third Monday in