Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-30
URGENT APPEAL MADE
ANACoSTIANS DISCUSS AP
PRoACH TO NEW BRIDGE.

1t was decided at a meeting of the ex
ecutive committee of the Anacostia Citi-
zens' Association last evening to present to
the congressional committees as well as
to the District Commissioners, a brief urg-
ing favorable action on the item In the ap
preparation bin for building the Anacostia
approach to the new bridge now under
construction across the Eastern branch by
the extension of Monroe street, with con-
sequent elimination of the present Bridge
street grade crossing of the Baltimore and
ONO railroad. 1t was brought out at the
meeting that the citizens will be unable
to gain hearing on this subject before the
subcommittee of the House appropriation
committee, so the only means left to place
the data before the committee named is by
the method decided upon.
The meeting called to order by DR..
James A. Watson, the president of the
association, at his residence, 201 Monroe
street. Mr.. Charles r, Burr, the secretary
read reply to the communication of the
citizens to the Commissioners relative to
the matter, in which il was stated the
commissioners ARE urging before Congress
the question OF cauSeway or approach to
the new AnacostlA bridge by the extension
OF Monroe street. and that on account of
the fact that they are engaged before the
appropriation committee ii will be impos-
stble for them to grant an early hearing
as requested or to set a date for such hear
ing at this time"
Mr.. Burr then read letter sent to the
chairman OF the subcommittee on appro-
priations of the House. Representative
Frederick H. Gillett, in which request was
made that hearing be granted commit
tee of the association relative TO the south
approach to the bridge.
MI. Gillett's Reply.
The secretary presented Chairman Gil
let's reply, which was as follows:
Your letter requesting hearing for a
committee of your association relative to
the south approach to the new bridge was
duly received, but have delayed answering
to learn the committees wishes The sub
committee has strictly adhered both under
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Hemenway to a rule
TO hear statements covering such matters
only as made through the District Commits
sloners, and as the subcommittee this year
is going into these matters in great detail,
therefore taking much more time than is
ordinarily given, / bound to feel that
the interests of your association In this
particular matter will not be neglected nor
overlooked If we adopt the old rule again
this year"
With the reading of these communica-
tons the citizens gathered last evening de-
termined TO meet the conditions by present
ing a written argument in behalf of their
plan, as stated above. The idea of filing
such a statement was suggested by MI.
George o. Watson, and after MesSrs T ].
Moore. 0. S. Humphrey. c. R. Burr DR. r,
A. Pyles and DIR. Watson had expressed
themselves as favoring the idea it was
adopted
DR.. Watson placed before the meeting an
affidavit OF Joseph II. Brown. who, acting
for the association. was detailed to make a
record of the traffic Saturday last where
the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road cross Bridge street. Mr.. Brown
stated.
"On Saturday. March "a, 1 took position
at the above-named place and made record
during the twelve hours beginning at s
o'clock am and ending at 8 O'Clock pm.
During this time ,264 teams of all kinds,
], 135 pedestrians and 25S street cars carry
Ing 3,649 passengers passed this point. AL
lowing one person to each team it would be
shown that 1922 vehicles and 604S persons
crossed this place in the time specified"
1t was directed that the secretary for
ward the brief and the data outlined above
to the congressional committee and to the
Commissioners. DR.. Watson stated he
would add a report of the several accidents
that have occurred at this grade crossing.