Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-29
Joint Meeting Held Last
Night in Moore's Hall.
BUSIN ESS DISCUSSED
ADDRESS BY Mr.. SHOEMAKE]
ON NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.
Compact of '7s and Compliance Witt
It by National Government
School Matters.

A meeting of the North Capitol and Eek
ington Citizens Association in conjunction
with the lie Droit Park and Bloomingdaie
Citizens Association was held last evening
in Moore's Hall, at the corner OF North
Capitol and I streets. The principal
speaker of the evening was Mr.. Louis r.
Shoemaker The first portion of the meet
ing was devoted to the transaction of usual
preliminary business. Reports from the
committees on parks and parking and
streets and schools, respectively, were read,
and after some discussion, were adopted.
The report of the committee on schools by
Chairman Server created for q while a
pretty lively topic of discussion. After
reading the report the chairman was ques-
toned by Mr.. Frizzell as to the proprlety
of encouraging or permitting school teach
ers to solicit votes in contest being held
to send a delegation of teachers to the ST.
Louis exposition. His remarks in the mat
ter called forth considerable comment from
those present The condition and improve
ment of Emery public school also formed q
subject of discussion. With reference to
changing the names of streets ana exten-
sions, letters were read from DR.. Tindell
secretary to the Commissioners, and also
from Commissioner Henry l.. West, to the
effect that the matter will be given every
possible consideration by the Commission
ers at the proper time.
At this point President Henderson intro
duced Mr.. Louis P. Shoemaker, who. after
prefacing his remarks with an expression
of thanks to the president and the associa-
ton said he would address himself to the
question of the value of citizens
associations and the relation of the
District to the national government
rhe speaker said that after
careful and critical study of the question,
Z existing
form of government of the District the best
interests of the people at large could best
be promoted through such bodies as the
citizens associa tons. He added that, look
ing back few years and noting the vast
improvements accomplished through the
medium of the associations, he had great
faith in their value. and he considered such
a work to be the highest form of civic
pride.
An Evil Alleged.
"But let us work" said ne, Ito correct
the evil that is now being perpetrated upon
the District of Columbia under the present
form of government. People are clamoring
for more beautiful capital, and yet when
improvements are to be made, the neces-
sary appropriations are wrung from the
pockets of the taxpayers of the District of
Columbia. After Congress has stamped
its approval upon some laudable object of
the District it has in many cases cut the
appropriation down to such minimum as
to defeat it
The refusal of Congress to grant bond
issue for the purpose of covering its ex-
traordinary improvements, as is done in
other cities. formed the basis of his re-
marks. He also pointed out that it was
the District that had paid for a National
Geological Park. and the District he sad,
had taken the initiative in the making of
Improvements in Rock Creek Park. which
Congress has designated time and time
again as Il q national park.
Referring to the present form of govern
ment in the District and its taxation with
out representation, he said he would not
criticise 1t.
Perhaps the greatest weakness of our
form of government is shown in the fact
that the Commissioners, the Business Mems
Association, all the various citizens as
sociations, the three prominent papers of
cur community and our prominent citizens
ask in vain for bond issue. The unbusi
ness-like policy of Congress could be aban-
doned and the attempt to make large and
extraordinary improvements from current
revenues. to a great extent for the future
generations. could be discontinued. The
present policy is not enforced elsewhere.
1t has greatly retarded the development of
our national capital city. The Brightwood
Citizens Association has for three years
opposed it.
Deplored as a Deprivation.
1T is depriving u.s. the speaker con-
ments of a local character necessary for
our immediate welfare, all of which should
he provided while the various departments
of the District government are constantly
insufficient for the purposes of our people
Let us have bond issue and discontinue
this unwiSe and njudicous, If not vicious
policy of insignificant advances from the
United States treasury. Let us make ma
tional Improvements at national expense.
Let US use current revenues for current
expenses and extraordinary improvements
from the proceeds of a bond issue Let
the compact of 1878 by paying it's just and
fair proportion of expenses. Then, and not
until then, will Washington become what
the people of this country desire 1t should
be as our national city. the pride of the
nation. without imposition and injustice
being imposed upon local land owners"
Cross-Tcwn Railroad.
Before adjournment the question of the
provisions in the bill granting charter to
the cross-town railroad project was dis
cussed at considerable length A motion to
reiterate the request OF the association that
the road be extended eastward on Florida
avenue from L street to the navy yard or
Anacosta prevailed unanimously
Mr.. Shoemaker being called upon also read
o resolution adopted rot long ago by the
Brightwood Citizens Association relative to
the bond issue. He said further he had
thought of scheme for accomplishing the
best results for the citizens of the District.
This plan, he said, was that there should
be committee composed of 100 members
representing all of the citizens assoca lions
I'm the District. and whose business would be
to handle the interests of the citizens of the
District before the Commissioners and Con-
eress.
Expressions of approval were given to the
plan devised by Mr.. Shoemaker, and a mo-
ton prevailed unanimously to have the ex-
ecutive committee take under consideration