Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-21
INDULGE IN HOT TALK
NUMBER OF CITIZENS INTER
VIEW COMMISSIONERS.
Complaint That Residents Had Not
Received Proper Consideration
Street Conditions Discussed,

committee representing the Southwest
Washington Citizens Association appeared
before the, Commissioners at public hear
ing this morning and bitterly protested
against what they term the encroachment
of the Pennsylvania railroad freight station
on the public reservation at 9Th street and
Virginia avenue, and other conditions Of
the streets in that section brought about by
the work of eliminating grade crossings
This building they said has been con-
structed ten feet over the building line and
therefore much Inconvenience will follow
The speakers expressed surprise at the
Commissioners permitting this lack of con-
formity in the building line, as they thought
the Commissioners were eager to maintain
at all hazards a uniform building line
throughout the District.
The engineering department Of the Dis
tr1ct was subject to severe criticism by
members Of this committee in their adj
dresses before the Commissioners. DR.. Will
liam F. Thompson, as chairman OF the
streets and highways committee of this as
sociation, was the first speaker, and after
citing the pitiable condition of Southwest
Washington on account OF this work, SAID
he had not been accorded the proper treat
ment at the hands OF Capt. Jay j. MorroW,
assistant to the Engineer Commissioner,
when asking for information relative to
the conditions complained Of.
he not only tOiQ me tHdt i was WdSlluS
my time, but was wasting his, and that he
had no information to give me, but brushed
by me and left the room, which consid-
cred insulting" declared DR.. Thompson.
Col Biddle, Engineer Commissioner, took
up the cudgel in defense of his assistant and
said that Capt Morrow was gentleman
and to his knowledge had always conducted
himself in a gracious and courteous man
ner, to which the other Commissioners
agreed in emphatic tones.
Mr. Harrison johnson, the next speaker,
said it was not the intention of the COM
mittee to take up the Commissioners Tune
by dealing in personalities, but although
the latter have always invited them to
come to the District building with their
grievances, the members OF his ASSOCIATION
have recently had considerable hestancy
about taking advantage OF this lnVitatlon'
in view of the fact that on several occa-
sions officials at the District building had
acted in insulting manner toward them.
Lives Endangered.
Mr. johnson called particular attention
to the danger to pubic life caused by the
torn-up and barricaded streets. and pre-
dcted the loss of life at certain points
along the embarrassing work, sooner or
later. He said the most dangerous crossing
at present is on Virginia avenue. at It'll
and 9Th streets and in view OF the jeopardy
in which pedestrians are placed crossing
these streets, suggested to the Commission
ers the practicability Of detailing a police
man at each of the corners. Commissioner
West stated that this suggestion should not
be considered, because If the loss OF life did
occur at either of the corners, the railroad
company, in the case of a damage suit be-
ing brought against 1t. would hold the Dis
trict responsible for half the cost, as the
latter, he said, would be sharing half the
responsibility of maintaining safety.
William Church depicted the bad condi-
tons of streets in the southwest section
upon which the Embarrassing work is
not being done. He referred especially to
D street, saying the District engineers have
torn up the cobble stones on one side Of
the street for several blocks and have left
it in that condition. which he claimed
makes traffic almost impossible He asked
the Commissioners that in resurfacing this
street either Belgium block asphalt block
be used instead of the old cobbe stones.
In answer to this request Col Bddle said
that according to the wording of the act
providing for this street work, If Belgium
or asphalt blocks were used instead of the
old cobble stones the Commissioners would
be powerless to give that street new sur
face without special legislation.
Others who spoke were Joseph Williams
and Mr.. Gilmore, who corroborated the
statements made by their associates as to
the deplorable and dangerous conditions in
the southwest.
Comment Of Commissioners.
Commissioner Macfarland told the COM
mitteemen that these changes in the
cause of the great improvement of elimi-
mating grade crossings are Inevitable, but
the Commissioners would do all in their
power to make the conditions of the citi-
zens as bearable as possible
In concluding the hearing Commits
sioner West stated that he admitted the
conditions complained of are serious and
should be Investigated. He also said he
had detailed a laborer of the street clean
ing department to keep the dirt and mud
cleared from the roadway at Az street
ND Otrin
tractor found guilty of dropping dirt on
the street will be prosecuted
RECEPTION OF REPORTS.