Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-09
R1vERDA1E CITIZENS MEET.
Association Raps School Authorities
for Alleged Dereliction.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
RIVERDALE, Nd, May g. 1905.
The citizens association OF Riverdale held
Its regular monthly meeting Monday even
Ing at the library building Of the Presby-
terrain Church Sunday school. DR.. s. M.
Mcmillan, president, was In the chair. and
William B. Severe served as secretary.
The demand for electric lights was dis
cussed, 1t being represented that the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
would supply lights and power at the rates
charged its patrons In Washington. A
number of those present expressed their
willingness to subscribe for the use of cleo
tricity In their homes, and steps will DC
taken to secure sufficient number Of pa
irons to make 1t an object for the company
to supply the necessary power.
The committee on roads and sidewalks,
through It's chairman, Mr.. J. A. BlundOn
reported that the commissioners of Prince
George county had notified the City and
Suburban railway to show cause why 1t
had not opened up Maryland avenue. run
ming parallel with its tracks from Jefferson
avenue to Cleveland avenue, through what
Is known as the Raybold property. The
company had been advised, he said. unless
the avenue was opened up by certain date
the commissioners would appoint a jury Of
condemnation to acquire right Of way,
would open up the road and assess the
costs thereof to the railway company. Mr..
Blundon said that the company in Its re-
Spouse to the commissioners stated 1t
is willing to comply with require
ments of the commissioners order granting
the company right of way through Prince
George county, burt had mislaid or lost
its copy of agreement and would re-
specially request the commissioners to adj
wise the railway company as to the re-
quirements of the agreement made in 1891
The clerk to the Commissioners was di-
rected to ascertain from the records what
was required of the railway company Tor
granting 1t right of way through the
the county commissioners for 1891 could
not-be found in the vaults of the court
house at Marlboro. Mr.. John Fisher,
former clerk, was called upon to assist In
the search for the missing record book, but
the same could not be found. Whether
these records have been destroyed or stolen
no one has been able to learn, it was stated.
1t was further stated that 1t is believed a
certified copy of the agreement between the
railway company and the county commits
sioners issued by the then clerk of the
court. under seal Of the court in the pos
session of an attorney of Prince George
county, and steps will be taken to have the
county commissioners enforce It's provl-
Sions.
The school committee, through Its chair
man, Mr.. E. c. Bright, reported that his
committee, upon the advice of Mr. Chas. H
Stanley, president of the school board, had
submitted a statement to the county super
intendent relative to some conditions at the
school that might be remedied, suggesting
that the lack of school trustees for River
dale not conducive to attaining ben
eficial results, and requesting the superin-
tendent to look into the matter. This had
not been answered by the superintendent.
Mr.. Bright stated that his committee called
upon Mr.. Stanley at Laurel and requested
him, as an acting trustee, to look into the
conditions at Riverdale, but that gentleman
declined to do so, and suggested the course
pursued by the committee.
Mr. Stanley intimated recently, 1t was
alleged. that the school board would not
consider recommendations from any citf
zens associations where there was differ
ence of opinion to the personnel of the
school trustees, and in the meantime the
school facilities at Riverdale are made
quate for the requirements of the village
The law requires that school trustees be
appointed. and 1t also requires the county
superintendent to investigate complaints,
and these matters 1t was declared. will be
referred to the state board of education for
settlement II the present school board con-
tinues to act In an arbitrary manner. The
board was severely criticized
It was also reported that the county COM
missioners and directed the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad to comply with the re-
quirements of the Jockey bill, passed at
the last session of the legislature direct
crossings at Rverdale within thirty days
or else be subject TO a fine of s25 for each
and every day 1t permits the crossing to
go unprotected.
Senator A. p. German sent large sup
ply of vegetable seeds to the association
for distribution among the farmers of the
association, and they were distributed.