The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-12
CITIZENS CRITICISE
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
Mount Pleasant Association
on Official Neglect.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS FAIL
Vigorous Speeches Made Against Policy
of Commissioners in Disregarding
Interests of the Public.

The District Commissioners, and more
especially the "subordinates of the En-
gineer Department" were subjected to
severe criticism last evening al the
regular monthly meeting of the Mount
Pleasant Citizens Association, held in
the Stratford Hctel Col e. B. Town
send presided.
The trouble is the same as arises every
year, relative to the estimates of The
Commissioners as submitted to Con-
gress. The taxpayers of Mount Pleasant
are of the opinion they have been shah
billy treated in the matter of certain
street improvements. and particularly
as regards the width of Howard Avenue.
Judge F. L. Campbell was the first to
express an opinion of the condition of
affairs. and the District authorities were
duly arraigned.
The judge declared the Mount Pleas
ant association represented 10000 law
abiding citizens and taxpayers. TO whom
some consideration should be accorded.
He saids the Commissioners do not dis
play that interest in the general public
to be expected from those who control
the affairs of a municipality.
Taxpayers Handicapped.
1--WE. the taxpayers Of the District. .
that we cannot force the Commissioners
to do the bidding OF those who con-
tribute generously 10 the support of the
municipal government. The Commission
ers neglect TO take the initiative In mat
tiers of nj eded local improvements. They
/ leave il ID the citizens and then. pro-
I coed TO ignore what the citizens recon-
mend" This statement was inspired by
an announcement of the Engineer De
partment that Howard Avenue would
only have a twenty-four foot paved
roadway. since it is "a minor street, and
the traffic comparatively light"
! When Judge Campbell concluded, Col
Onel Townsend took up the argument
with fervor. He objected TO taxpayers
being "overridden by the subordinates
! Of the Engineer Department" A vote
was finally called for and Judge Camp
bells position Endorsed.
A resolution was adopted asking for
the erection of gas lamps on Howard
Avenue between Eighteenth and Mount
Pleasant Streets.
The question of amaIgamating the
various citizens associa tions in the
northwest section OF Washington, was
again brought up for consideration but
because Of the failure of other associa-
tions to take action. il was referred
/ back 10 the special committee, and will
be discussed at a later meeting
More Parks Wanted.
Much time was given to a considera-
ton of the parking system. Finally .hs
/ legislative committee was asked to draw
uD bin and submit it TO Congress pro.
/ viding that the triangular lots at Park
and Grant Streets. Grant and Sixteenth
| Streets. and Park and Seventeenth
| Streets. be purchased and converted into
parks
A vote of thanks was given F. c
/ Schneider for his display of public
1 spirit IN purchasing two of the three
1 lots in order to prevent persons from
/ acquiring possession of them and erect
/ ing thereon undesirable improvements
/ Mr.. Schneider has offered to sell the
/ property to the District at any time
/ within two years at a figure below that
/ which he paid for IT,
The association accepted the resigna-
/ ton Of Secretary Robert II. Young. and
/ elected William Ramsay to succeed him
I Mr.. Young was obliged to resign be-
/ cause Of personal business which de-
mands a great deal of his time
New members elected were the Rev
| Father MCGEE. Joseph II. Crawford
/ Charles X. Loef1er. John H Gheen.
Thomas c. Upton, 7. w. Stone, Charles
] W. King. and Percy Crawford.