The Washington times., 1905-12-24
CONGRESS SHOULD
IMPROVE DISTRICT
Louis 2. Shoemaker Points
Out Washington's Needs.
COMPLAINTS ARE JUSTIFIED
Resolutions of Brightwood Citizens Not
Answered as Favorably as
They Should Be.
COMPLAINTS ARE JUSTIFIED

VINO has been rO-
many years prominently identified with
the real estate interests OF the District
when asked yesterday what he thought
Of the Washington real estate market
of the past year and its prospects FOR
the coming year, said:
Congress, some years ago. caused Ia
be placed on record a national street
extension plan by which. fully one-tfirCi
of the outlying territory beyond the old
city limits was virtually appropriated 10
the public use. Yet, To Commemorative
provision whatever has been rnada for
actually acquiring this land by the Gov
ernment for such public purpose. On
the contrary, our landowners and tax
payers. have been required for a long
time 10 pay taxes. notwithstanding the
fact that much Of it has thus been
designated for public purposes.
| This reference Will enable me TO re-
ply directly to your question. A great
volume Of business has been transacted
in 1eo5-greater than during any year
since the good times OF 1sao-and there ts
every indication that activity in the sale
or real estate and its Improvement Will
continue. In fact, 1 should say Il must
continue, for the demand exists and IL
must be gratifled
Willing to Improve.
People are undoubtedly prepared and
willing TO purchase ana also 70 improve
their holdings. for Notwithstanding the
very large number of apartment houses
which have been constructed and filed
with people, there has never been a
time in the history Of the District when
so many houses have been built, sold
and occupied in the old city limits and
the land adjacent thereto in Takoua
and the Brightwood section
This could not have occurred but for
the fact, that the population OF Wash
ignton has greatly increased. The people
who were here ten years ago notwith-
standing the good times which have
prevailed throughout the country gem
orally. could not have accomplished so
much
Thousands have come to washington.
and this increase of population viii be
greatly augmented not alone from else
where. but because OF the fact that III.
natural increase Of population OF al
most. If not quite, 10000 people is con-
siderable
The proposition before US IS TO ade-
Quately accommodate them. They have
TO be housed That IS, provided with
homes and adequately supplied with
modern appliances 10 enable them to
observe sanitary laws and regulations.
and for these advantages many OF our
people are now suffering.
Improvements Denied.
The resolutions which have repeated
ly come from the Brightwood Citizens
Association and the Northwest Citizens
Association, asking for streets where
streets are needed TO develop the terri
tory and enable our landowners 70
build and improve their holdings; for
water. sewer. and light facilities are not
being answered as favorably as they
should by Congress. Our Commission
ers tell US and have told US for years.
yes, we know you need these advan-
tages; we win recommend them But
Congress denies even their requests
which fall far short OF a qualification OF
the real necessities of our people.
Washington VIII go on n It's I'M
provements. 1t must go on. It cannot
be prevented, but it IS being retarded
and no adequate. large and comprehen-
sive improvement or development. can
occur under present conditions. Public
facilities. such as streets, water mains.
sewers. and light for the new ana
greater Washington are the work OF the
authorities They are governmental
functions. Our people cannot provide
them. They must precede 10 a reason
able extent private development.
Many OF our people are living IN
homes along the line OF streets notably
in PetwOrth and Brightwood Park. -
which no attention is being paid by our
authorities, and they are in dangerous
condition for the travelling public. al
though these streets were dedicated TO
the Government by our landowners
years ago. while elsewhere people are
living in houses without an opportezsss
to observe sanitary laws el6 ID
tons.
Congress Should Act.
IF Congress would comply VITA the
requests OF the Brightwood Citizens AS
sociation. the Board OF Trade. and the
Business Mems Association, the Com
missioners and tn epress of our city by
granting loan for large Improvements.
TO be repaid after a term OF years and
permit current revenues 10 be used sor
current expenses. We could have public
where they have been for
years needed, and the District OF Col
umhia would at once develop and i'm
prove beyond any advance heretofore
attained and thus become more rapidly
and in a more satisfactory way. the
greater pride OF our own people and the
admiration of the world
1t cannot be right that she develop
nent and improvement OF the National
Capital should be longer. actually re-
-arded and indeed, prevented. because
Of inadequate administration of it's az
fairs.
The Commissioners tell US in their
and it is a fact well known
to all. that our school teachers and
policemen are not adequately paid. and
that they are greatly insufficient in
number. and that every department OF
the District government falls short
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