Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11
ALLEGED VIOLATION
Citizens Associations Chal-
lenge to Commissioners.
NARROWING STREETS
DECLARED THAT DISTRICT AU-
THoRITIEs EXCEED POWERS.
Proposed Inauguration of Method OF
Religious Training in Schools OPP
posed-SpiIited Session.

Northeast washington CitlLchS Fn''O~A
it was expressly stated that the recent De
cision of the Commissioners to continue the
policy of narrowing the roadways. "in vio-
lat:on of law" and against the desires Oh
the residents of the northeast section,
would he considered Secretary Sower-
butts called the matter to the attention of
the association by reading communications
the chairman of the street committee had
received from the Commissioners. He con-
cluded the reading and moved that the
communications be referred to the exec
utive committee, with power to go into
court and get an injunction against the
Commissioners for the purpose of prevent
ing them from carrying out their policy OF
narrowing the streets.
President Tucker Mr.. Willard and Mr..
Flemmng discussed the question and con-
demned the action of the Commissioners.
The president started out by declaring that
the streets belong to the United states
government and that the commissioners
have no right to change their width
IF they have that right, he stated,
"they should not have it,
Mr. Tucker went on TO say that the En-
gineer Commissioner is appointed every
three years, and that each man who re-
ceives an appointment may have d different
idea of the proper width of the streets. Each
one might change the width of single
street eacn time an is MAUI
for an Improvement, so in the course OF
time there might be a dozen widths for a
single street. He referred to the action OF
the Commissioners in refusing a permit for
the erection of an apartment house.
They knew they had no right to refuse
that permit said Mr.. Tucker, but they
forced citizen to appeal to the courts to
make them come to time. It's an outrage
that the President should appoint such
men as Commissioners. l think the matter
should be laid before the President of the
United States. but he is not here now. and
some work may be done before he re-
turns
Presidents View Endorsed.
The other speakers sanctioned what was
said by President Tucker and Mr.. Willard
said he thought the time had come when
the people should have change of govern
ment or stop paying taxes.
MIR. Macfarland has said a number of
times that this is an autocratic govern
ment," Mr.. Milrd stated, land he was
right. The government consists of three
men, and the taxpayers seem to count for
nothing"
IF this work is kept up said Mr.. Flem-
ming, we will soon have to stop boasting
of wide and beautiful streets"
1t was the sentiment of the association
that the matter be taken into court and the
members said they would contribute the
necessary funds to defray the court eX-
penses. The resolution that the papers be
referred to the executive committee with
power to act was adopted
Mr.. Ransom explained that all work done
in the matter of changing street lines has
to be done with the sanction of the Secre-
tary of War.
Religious Training in Schools.
The question of teaching religion in
the public schools was brought before
the association by the presentation by
Mr.. F. II Foster Chairman of bo
mittee on schools, of a resolution set
ting forth that this association favors
the teaching of morals in our public
schools-morals founded upon the ethics
OF the Christian religion, devoid of all
GOgmaS and creedS."
1t soon became evident that the senti-
ment against the adoption of the resolu-
ton was almost unanimous, and Dr. Wal
ter moved that it be tabled He withdrew
his motion long enough to permit several
members to be heard upon the question
however. and after they had been heard
his motion prevailed.
Mr.. Sowerbutts then presented a reso-
luton declaring that the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association regards
with alarm the attempt now being made
to enforce religious instruction in the
public schools of the District of Column
bia; and be it further resolved that we
regard the church and the home as the
proper sources through which should be
given religious training through rising
generations. and that the public schools
should be exclusively devoted to mental
and physical education"
Regarded as Dangerous Ground
1t was the statement of several mem
bers of the association that they were
stepping upon dangerous ground, as they
stated, to attempt to bring church and
state together.
Wherever it has been DONE" declared
Mott no.
but one result-trouble."
He advocated the teaching of the laws
of the District rather than the Ten Com
mandments and said that better citi-
zens would thereby be made. 1t was his
idea that the present agitation is a con-
| fession of weakness on part of the min
| listers who favor religious teaching in
| the schools, and charged that it is an at
tempt on their part to try to keep the
| children in line in order that they may
! contribute toward the fund necessary to
pay high salaries In the presence of
| these ministers, he declared, no person
| is permitted to have an opinion upon re-
| ligious matters unless such opinion
agrees with that of the minister.
| He said he thought the proposition was
| a ridiculous one, and could see no reason
why teacher should be expected to ex-
plain the Ten Commandments or give re-
ligious teaching when, he stated, there
| are no two ministers who will give the
| same version of the questions. Ma jor
| Burke advocated the teaching of the boy
| that he must not throw stones and do
| other things in violation of the laws of
| his country, and that the teaching of re-
| ligion be done in the homes and churches.
| Where religion is taught in the
| schools" he declared the greatest num-
! Der of criminals are raised
Recognizes Necessity.
| Mr.. Foster said he had taught school In
| this city and knew the necessity for some
| moral training in the schools. He said he
objected to anything in the nature of sec
| tarianism.
| Mr.. Sowerbutts, speaking against the
| resolution of MI. Foster. said he had very
| little respect for creeds, and the move
| nent now on foot. he thought, was rather
alarming. as II shows evidence of an effort
to bring church and state together.
| Mr.. Willard favored religious teaching In
the schools and told of his boyhood days In
| Massachusetts. What was taught him then
he said. made lasting impression. lie
said he had signed petition asking that
such teaching be done in this city.
MT. Loring Chappell Mr.. Dunno and
others spoke in opposition to the adoption
| of the Foster resolution, and. as already
| stated, II was tabled. The resolution of Mr.
| Sowerbutts was then adopted
Appropriations for Street Work.