Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-05
COL UMBk HEIGHTS
Citizens Association Met
Last Night.
COLONEL BIDDLE TALKS
DISCUSSES THE PROPOSED PARK
SITE.
Also Other Matters Of Interest in That
Vicinity-Mr. Riley Deeble's Plea
for Rock Greek Improvement


Heights Citizens Association was held last
evening at st. Stephens parish hall on
14th street northwest Mt. Pleasant. Judge
Charles 3. Bundy, the president Of the
association, was in the chair and Mr.. Will
liam b. TODD. the secretary. read the min
utes OF the last meeting, which were APP
proved as read. Upon motion, the follow
ing new members were reported and re-
ceived into the association: r. w. Beall,
Herbert c. Emory, M. Mclaughlin, c. P.
Montgomery and Alexander Scott. The
secretary, Mr.. Todd read a letter from
Commissioner Henry L. West relative to
the transfer Of. the government building
from the st. Louis exposition to Washing
ton to serve purpose of public memorial
hall. He also read letter from the health
officer of the District of Columbia in reply
to special committee of the North court
nuisance, stating that If the necessary i'm
provements were not made by the owners
action would be taken looking toward the
execution of the work by the District au-
thor1ties. The committee on streets stated
that the Commissioners had stated in a
letter that they would do everything posi-
bic to give Columbia road better lighting
facilities. Upon motion the association
passed resolution asking the Commits
Todd then read a communication from
Mr.. d. S. CARL, Superintendent of the Capt.
tai Traction Company, relative to the bet
ter facilities In the matter of stopping the
street cars at the crossings for passengers,
In which he stated that his company would
do all in their power to afford the facilities
asked by the associat ton.
Col. Biddle introduced.
Col. John Biddle, the Engineer Commits
sioner of the District of Columbia was then
introduced by Judge Bundy, who stated
that the association had as it's guest an
other gentleman who would be heard later
together with Col. Biddle. Judge Bundy
said: Under the present form of our
government our District has been most for
1unate IN the assignment OF engineer Off
GERS to its board of Commissioners. FROM
the time of the late lamented Twining I'D
to the time of the present incumbent almost
every Engineer Commissioner has left
record of distinguished and meritorious
services, and venture to say that of them
all no record Is falrer than that of the gem
tleman here this evening as our guest. The
associations of the city and we especially
of the ColumbiaeH Heights have never left
him after an interview that we did
not feel that chad had fair and atten-
tive hearing. He has made no promises ex-
cept that he would giye the matter which
no diliatory tactics. He decides and acts
When we go to him to do something for us
and our section of the city we always get
what we are after or else, what is the next
best thing, courteous refusal supported by
good reasons fer'@not' granting our wishes in
the matter brought to his attention a. the
time. For two years we have been clamor-
ing for more shade trees" continued Judge
Bundy, but the answer of the Commits
sioners has always been that the appro-
prlation was too small: They stated that
If we could help toward, getting a., larger
appropriation they would be glad to set
out the trees. Accordingly our committee
waited on the Senate appropriations COM
mittee An appropriation was passed. Then
we held an interview with the Commission
err and suffice 1t to say that while we
brought away no promises, we had hopes
which were not disappointed. We got shade
trees on both sides of 18th street, but the
entire wishes of the members of this asso-
citation have not always been granted A
large number of our members have advoca-
ed the site of a park at the northwest cor
ner of Columbia road and 18th street north
west, but they were both surprised and dis
appointed to be confronted with a rival
site on the brow Of the hill on the east
side Of 10th street. Whether the Engineer
Commissioner still prefers the latter site or
not he will be given a respectful hearing.
The Engineer Commissioners Address.
Colonel Biddle then arose and stated that
he felt deeply grateful to Judge Bundy,
and wanted to express his thanks for the
narration of his virtues. and stated that he
was still In favor of the 10Th street location
the breezes from the south and the resi-
dents of the section could cool off there
on the hot summer evenings, said the en-
gineer Commissioner AS to the demands
for the Improvement of the streets the de-
mand Is greater than the available funds
can meet The fact of naming the streets
is also confronting US, and we shall get
up scheme of names for them. and when
this Is done in June we will submit them
for criticism. Then. after consideration we
shall finally decide, and by the time that
the new city directory comes out in October
they will be ready. The Commissioners are
sidewalks in some sections of the city. For
the planting Of more trees we should have
a larger appropriation. In the city Of WASH
ipgton we have about $1,000 trees, the same
of Paris. but they expend about five times
the amount we expend on ours. We aim to
plant more trees down town first, SO that
the people from other parts of the United
benefit from them, and then spread out to
the suburbs. The funds have never been
sufficient for the proper care to be given
to the trees. The fact that the water
running SO near the surface of the earth
accounts for the beautiful trees Of this city
to a great extent It enables them to grow
with less care being given to them than in
other cities where more money is spent for
their proper maintenance. In other cIimes
more difficulty Is encountered than in
Washington. and this Is probably due to the
fact that natures has provided her part to-
ward rendering the streets of the capital city
more beautiful by this natural resource Of
pr preserving the beautiful shrubbery Of this
beautiful city. The Commissioners rely on
the citizens associations for the knowledge
OF the needs Of the particular section
wherein they live and represent, continued
Colonel Biddle. The Commissioners of the
District of Columbia feel that such express
sions of the public needs should be made,
and they are great benefit to the Commits
sioners In their work for Washington and
the District. Their aid In making the es-
Inmates is appreciated and in the relative
Importance which they place upon them.
Colonel Biddle then discussed the plans for
the laying. out if thf. park as desired
by the citizens OF the Columbia Heights
Association, and said that out of the two
sites suggested blythe citizens-14th and CO.
lumbia road northwest land 10th street be-
low Florida avenue-he favored the latter
site. He said the Commissioners would
soon put In effect the plans which had been
formulated in regard to street nomencla-
ture. 'It is proposed" he said ito publish
this plan and act in accordance with the
suggestions Of citizens He said that the
Commissioners in making up their esti-
mates desire the statements of the citizens
associations OF each sections relative to the
needs of the particular section which thew