Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-04
CANDLE POWER Of GAS
Subject Of Report to- East
Washington Association.
THE PEOPLE SATISFIED
REQUEST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
PUBLIC COMFORT STATIONS.
Protest Against Transfer Of Certain Of
fees to Municipal Building
Street Gar Service.
IN - Il
THE PEOPLE SATISFIED

lected to act as temporary secretary OF the
East Washington Citizens Association,
which met last night in Donne1ly's Hail.
Mr.. Sperry has been the secretary OF the
association for about thirty years and has
missed but few meetings. After tho read
Ing of the minutes Of the last meeting the
president. Mr.. T. w. Smith. made a report
of the work done at the meeting of the
executive committee. Among the matters
discussed by the committee was the suf-
frage question, which was brought up in a
letter from the Petworth Association. The
latter organization. he said. was informed
that the Sast Washington Citizens Associa-
ton can take no action upon such matter
as it is forbidden by the associations con-
stitution.
Weller. chairman of the committee on tax
alton and assessment said there had been
no meeting Of his committee since the last
meeting of the association. He criticized
the report, recently printed, showing the
amount of property owned by the govern
ment and the amount of property exempt
from taxation.
What the Bills Provide.
Both the bills that have been introduced
on this subject during the present session
of Congress" the report states. provided
simply that the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia be authorized to construct
such stations. This suggested the question
that the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia have not under their control
any public reservations located on Pennsyl-
sylvania avenue except the reservation iy-
ing between the Center Market building, on
Pennsylvania avenue and Louisiana avenue
and extending from 9TH to 9th street, and
the triangular reservation in front OF the
proposed new municipal building, on the
south side Of Pennsylvania avenue between
1872 and 18th streets. All other public res
ervations on Pennsylvania avenue and gen
orally throughout the city are under con-
troll of the War Department, Office of chief
of engineers, and the Capitol grounds, Of
course being under the control of the ar
chitect of the Capitol. For the construction
of such stations on any other reservations
than the two already described on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. therefore. the bill would have
to transfer the control of at least a pOr-
ton of such reservatio to the Commission
ers of the District, if such Commissioners
are to construct and have charge of such
building.
Opposed to Pools.
Zone of the bills pending in Congress
provides also for the construction of two
public baths, including large pool. While
your committee believes In public baths,
strong reasons have been presented to it in
opposition to pools in favor of shower
baths only in any public bath. In view of
the financial condition of the District, your
committee does not favor pressing the erec-
ton of public baths at this time, consider
ing this far less necessity than the public
convenience stations
'.Your committee believes that as there
are many questions involved in the matter
of construction, location and conduct of
such buildings which will be determined
best by experience, it will be wise at pres
emit to urge the construction of two such
structures Immediately, and for many rea-
sons the first local ton to be provided with
such structure Is the reservation at the
southwest corner Of 7th street and Penn
sylvania avenue northwest between the
Center market building and Pennsylvania
avenue and near the transfer station. If
such a station were to be erected on the
other reservation under control of the Com
misSioners. the triangle in front of the pro-
posed municipal building, it should be con-
led underground. If it were to be To-
either that it be constructed and main
tanned by the official now having charge of
the proposed site or that the control of
such site be transferred to the District
Commissioners
The information given your committee
Indicates that the cost Of each of such
structures, properly constructed and at
present prices of material and labor, would
be nearly $4,000 In the opinion of your
committee such structures should be open
from s IN. to IL pm. The estimated an
nual cost of maintenance of each building is
placed at 200. Your committee is of the
opinion that there should be two classes of
accommodations afforded in each one to be
free. and for another there. should be a
small charge"
Resolutions Adopted.