The Washington times., 1906-06-10
Selected by Washington.


Dear Senator: On behalf of the
East Washington Citizens Association
and by unanimous resolution of the
executive committee, 1 beg to record
herewith our earnest protest against
ithat portion Of Senate bill 1856 which
seeks TO deprive our Georgia avenue
or Its time-honored name, originally
selected by President George Wash
ington, in the first plan Of the city.
and which plan received the approval
of Congress in 1892.
The preliminary plan projected in
l79l by Major Peter Charles I.Eufant
was superseded by the official plan
prepared by his successor, Major Eli
colt. which was formally approved and
ordered to be printed. This is gener-
ally known as the engraved plan
Copies Of the same We're delivered on
November 13, 1892. It was carefully
conceived under the governing policy
that all streets should be numbered
and lettered. and all avenues named
after the different States.
The avenues in the southern part Of
the city, We're consistently named, form
ally grouped as follows: Delaware
Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina. Georgia, and eKntucky
Later on Tennessee was added. In this
manner the thirteen original States we're
honored as well as the two new States
Vermont and Kentucky. which had been
subsequently admitted to the Union.
This official map carries the names Of
these fifteen States and the other ave-
nUes Of the city were left unnamed in
1ISZ. for the purpose OF honoring other
States when admitted to the Union: in
accordance with this plan six unnamed
Of A.
of Tennessee. Ohio. Louisiana. In
diana, Maine and Missouri at late dates.
although the streets now known as
mime avenue and Missouri avenue were
first designated as Maine street and
missouri street, by action of the COM
mon council Of the city of Washington.
A Historical Fact.
''It is a weI-known historical fact
That President Washington gave his
close. personal attention to every detail
In the preparation Of the original plan
of the city. the work was completed un-
der his auspices. submitted TO him, as
President for the approval OF. Congress.
which gave it's official sanction. first. of
the name OF the District or Territory of
Columbia, then to the name Of the city
of Washington. and. thirdly. indorsed
the policy of hOnoring the States OF the
Union by comforting their names upon
the avenues so that the Northern
States would be represented In the
northern part Of the city and the South
ern States in the southern section of
the city
THE residents of the eastern section
Leenly feel and apprehend the danger
of this attempt to undo the noble work
Of the past. and are seriously opposed
to the Introduction of that vicious
French custom Of changing the names
of the streets of the city with every
change of administration or form of
government. This scheme while popular
in France. is un-American; moreover. it
viii be a serious injury to vested prop
erty rights. hallowed by time, ia years.
Georgia avenue is n noble thoroughfare,
100 feet in width. starting from reserva-
ton five or the Potomac river to reser-
walton thirteen on the Anacostia river
1t possesses great interest to the his
torical students. owing TO its prom
inence, as scene of activity during the
war Of 1914. The old Headquarters of
President Madison and General winder.
Secretary Armstrong. etc. were located
in the brick building. still in existence.
located on the corner Of Fourteenth
street and Georgia avenue.
II can assure you I voice the senti-
ments of every citizen when I plead for
retention of the name Of Georgia for
our avenue, and earnestly hope YOU will
not permit this bill 10 become a law.
Very respectfully.
THOMAS w. SMITH.
President OF the East Washington
Citizens Association"