Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-02
EAST End INTERESTS
BUSINESS MATTERS DISCUSSED
BY CITIZENS ASSOCIATION.

The East End Suburban Citizens Asso-
citation held meeting at its hail, 18th and
II streets northeast. last night. In the
absence of President Ernest. Charles w.
Talbot presided Several matters OF Inn
portance to residents of the eastern Sec
ton of the city and District were discussed.
the principal ones being the Spa Spring
electric railway. the promoters of which
are asking Congress for a charter which
will enable them to traverse the Bladens-
burg road from the District line to the
city; the expedition of legislation looking
to the widening of Badensburg road from
sixty-six to ninety feet, and the bill in
troduced in the Senate by Mr.. Rayner pro-
posing to quit-claim the interest of the
government in the tract of land lying in
the northeastern quarter of the District
known as the Rives estate.
A month ago the District Commissioners
sent to the association copy of the bill
granting charter rights to the railway COM
pany with the request that it prepare such
amendments as it may deem proper. A
number of changes were suggested, notably
one requiring the company to lay its tracks
In the middle of the road, another setting
forth that the fare should not exceed B
cents from the District line to the city,
third directing the company to arrange for
transferring its passengers to other lines,
and, finally. one requiring the railway COM
pany to deposit at least $4,000 as evidence
line be completed within year from the
date of the granting of the charter. The
Commissioners agreed to all these amend
ments but the last one, which they changed
from $4,000 to 81, COO
1t was stated last night that the bill as
modified is satisfactory to the railway peo-
pie; who stated to Mr.. Talbot, through one
OF It's representatives, that the money nee
essary for construction purposes has been
secured and that the company is ready to
begin work the moment Congress grants it
the right of way down Bladensburg road.
Another matter considered by the associ-
alton was Senate bill 1876, introduced by
Mr.. Rayner, for the purpose of transferring
to the heirs Of the late John C.. Rives all
the right, title and interest of the govern
ment in tract of land containing about
fifty-two acres, lying on the Bladensburg
road, partly in Prince George county,
Md. and partly in the District. and
purchased in 1914 for use as a bury
ing ground. Not far from the dwelling
erected many years ago by John c. Rives
lie the remains of the men who fell in the
battle Of Bladensburg. fought August "a,
1914. The graves, it is said, have been
neglected, and are now concealed by an
unsightly growth Of brush and stunted
trees.
The Bill Opposed.
Opposition to the bill is based on both
business and patriotic grounds. Mr.. Rives'
will does not leave the property to any Of
his heirs, it is said, but provides that it
shall not be sold. except to his children,
who may sell to another, to blood re-
lations. or to his sons. Franklin and JEFF
ferson Rives, to whom, it is said, the Globe
printing office was left, with the under
standing that they should have no other
share in the estate, real or personal. Then
1t Is provided that when none of the blood
relations shall reside the premises, the
house and grounds shall revert to the gov
eminent having dominion over them.
The house and grounds are in the posses
time ago he was asked to donate land for
the widening of Bladensburg road, which
passes through the tract for a distance
of about 2COO feet. In letter addressed
fused to give any land for that purpose.
1t was said last night that Mr. Rives re-
Gently stated that he will sell the estate as
socn the Rayner bill receives the sigma
ture of the President and will take up his
residence in the city. 1t is insisted by some
Of the members of the association that the
ground should be retained by the govern
ment and that portion Of it In which the
rem aims of the heroes OF Bladensburg lie
should be perpetuated to the purpose for
which 1t was intended.
Committees Named
Committees were appointed to expedite
the widening of Bladensburg road. to call
attention of Congressman to the Rives bill
and to set forth to other associations the
position of the citizens of the northeast
with respect to the Spa Spring electric road.
letter from the Postmaster General con-
corning the delivery of mail in the Hickey
lane district was laid before the association
and the secretary was directed to call upon
the fourth assistant postmaster general and
request immediate action for the relief of
the residents of that section of the District.
Robert F. Cronie was elected to member
ship.
TO AROTTSH TIE CRATE