Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-07
CITIZENS IN SESSION
East Washington Association
Meets.
REPORT OF Mr.. SMITH
RECOMMENDATIONS AND sUGGEs-
TONS MADE.
Open Cut Method Of Building Tunnel
Opposed-What Has Been
Accomplished.

Members of the East Washington Citi-
zens Association who attended the first
meeting of the season, held last night In
Donnelly's Hall, were unanimous in oppos-
ing the proposed open-cut method of con-
structing the railroad tunnel under Capitol
HILL The subject came before the meet
ing In the form of resolution from the
executive committee, which was reported
by Mr.. w. Mosby Williams
Mr.. Williams spoke briefly in support of
the resolution. He explained that while the
matter Of doing the work by the open-cut
plan has apparently been settled, he
thought the association should go upon rec
ord as opposing the method. Mr.. Williams
told of the many Inconvenience which
would have been caused by a change in the
proposed method of doing the work, and
was followed by Mr.. A. F. Sperry. The
latter said that some people are still of the
opinion that the question of changing the
method of constructing the tunnel is not
dead. but that it will be very much alive in
a short time
Mr.. Girouard was enthusiastic in his re-
marks denouncing the proposed change in
the method of constructing the tunnel. He
explained that under the oDen-cut method
the streets would be in a deplorable condi-
ton for many months and would necessi-
tate the use of trestle by the street car
companies. Mr.. Girouard said he would
be afraid to ride on the cars II they had to
pass over trestles. He then spoke of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company being
powerful corporation.
There was not voice raised against the
adoption of the resolution.
Another matter of Importance to the
members of the association was the election
of officers for the ensuing year. The cleo
ton resulted in the selection OF those VINO
served last year. as follows: Thomas w.
Smith. president M. I. Weller. vice presi-
n
treasurer, and ]. w. Babson. w. Mosby
Williams and E. I. Nottingham.
President Smiths Report.
President Smith read lengthy paper in
the nature of a report. which was in part
as follows:
.0The appropriations for last year for
streets. avenues and alleys were satisfac-
tory. The work is progressing. There is
much other work to be done to lift our
streets, avenues and alleys from the dust
of century-old highways. This association
urges again, as 1t has for years. the I'M
provement of those avenues leading from
Lincoln Park to the eastern boundary of
the city, Tennessee avenue. North Carolina
avenue, South Carolina avenue. Massachu-
sets and Kentucky avenues, Georgia ave-
nue., East Capitol street. In particular
Tennessee avenue and Kentucky avenue
lead from and to Lincoln Park, the one from
the Bladensburg road and Benning road
the other from Pennsylvania avenue bridge
across the Eastern branch. There is great
demand for cheap tenements In the eastern
section The extension and improvement OF
G, and E to the Eastern branch would
open up to private use large number OF
squares of ground, now useless, to any Int
the owners and to them only as pasture
land. The county road on the other side of
the Anacostia river should have better at
tention, Pennsylvania avenue, Massachu-
sets avenue, East Capitol street and many
other leading outlets should be given 2p-
preparations and completed to the District
line The quality, durability, therefore the
economy of asphalt and bituminous pave
ment has been carefully investigated by
your chairman, Mr.. Girouard, who Is now
preparing report on the subject Of pave
ments, which will be read before the asso-
citation in November.
Taxation and Assessment
'.The triennial assessment period is now
on A board of special assessors are at
work reassessing real estate What they
are doing Is, of course, secret, and will
be SO until their books are opened to the
public for examination and appeal IL neces-
sary. Your committee can make itself one
of great interest and benefit to this asso-
citation and the people 1t represents by urg-
ing upon the assessors one fact which they
have acknowledged In previous years. to-
wit, that small properties. six and eight
room houses, are appraised at much high
er value than larger residences and bust
ness property, taking from the owners OF
these small properties In tax an average
of Is per cent of the rents received.
Anacostia Flats.
clamation OF the Anacostia nats. the deep.