The Washington times., 1906-07-06
BETHESDA WHITES
WILL ORGANIZE
AGAINST BELMONT
Agitation Over COiored
Settlement Does Not
Deter the Buyers.

The seething discomfort OF the resi-
dents in the Bethesda district over the
proposal 10 transform the subdivision
known as Belmont into a settlement for
coIored persons does not abate with the
passage OF the days. on the contrary,
il seems 10 increase. and the matter is
the principal subject of conversation
among the suburbanites in all their
gatherings.
Richard NJ. Ough. OF Friendship
Heights, remains the principal figure
around which the agitation centers.
Air. Ough says ne VIII can a meeting
OF his neighDOrs within the next few
days 70 consider the situation and de-
wise ways and means To meet IT, The
first meeting viii be private, but IL will
A. -9lloHeQ by a public meeting, which
all residents Of Bethesda and interested
citizens will be invited TO attend.
This Is going 10 be In the nz-I~e of
mass meeting, Mr. Ough says. snd II is
claimed, confidently, that at this gather
ing there viii be something doing.
Meantime the sale Of lots at Belmont
continues. II IS said the agitation OF the
subject has increased. rather than
diminished. the number Of lots sold TO
colored persons. From the standpoint OF
the ObjectOrss the situation v.U:Irs an
aspect more and more serious.
William J, Sheetz. who purChahed the
land from the firm Of BaTnaTG Il John
son, has written a letter to The Times
explaining his connection with the trans
action. In this letter he SAYS.
I notice an article on the front page
or The Times which reflects somewhat
on my connection with the Belmont land
deal Of some days ago. This ground
was purchased by me. and afterward
conveyed 10 A. /, SatterWhite & Co.
There are several state ncuts in the
article which are not correct. I never
claimed any relationship with Senator
Penrose. He is a very estimable gentle
man and commands my respect buJ I
am SOrEy TO say there Is no relations nip.
Again ] want 10 say that I was not en-
plUyed to cOnsummate this deal by any
ColOred man. nor did / seek or desire
10 do the residents OF the vicinity any
Il used no Misrepresentation or false
pretenses 20 obtain the title and regret
that the affair has turned out as IL has.
I would be very glad IL you will kindly
publish this letter and thus set me right
in a measure with the public"
At the offices Of the firm Of A. L sat
terWhite & Co., who are conducting the
sale Of the lots at Belmont, and who
represent the present holders Of the
property, a reporter of The Times was
Informed that Sheetz had been employ
ed TO make the purchase from Barnard
and Johnson. This statement was made
nv Sattpryyhlte himself. It was eX-
plained further that this course had
been followed because otherwise. the
nrODHEIN illEllL AluA nave Ak-SAA Ait4 NAf---t-.
Tor its destined purpose.
Lorenzo d. FoWluer. a stockholder IN
F street, who lives at Friendship
Heights. takes a much Calmer view or
the situation than many of his neigh
bors. Mr.. Fowler believes the whole
plan viii fall through.
II don't see any reason for getting
excited about the matter said Mr.
Bowler this morning. The whole prop
ertv is covered by blanket mortgage
and rhe buyers now are being given,
NOT deeds. but contracts for the future
delivery Of the lots they purchase A
relatively small proportion of the TuI-
chase price has bee npaid.
II don't believe myself that the in
telIieent class Of colored people who
vvo,lld be attracted TO a suburb of this
character will be very much impressed
with the opportunities they are now Of
are rendered depends upon the ability
of the principals to carry out the con-
tract / am rather of the opinion that
The promoters have bitten off more
than they can chew