The Washington times., 1906-04-21
MISS BARTON URGES
PEACE IN POLITICS
Takes a Hand in the Great
Glen Echo Bond War.
OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS
Kindly Advice of Red Cross Worker to
Neighbors Divided Over Mu-
nicipal Issue.

Miss Clara Barton poured oil upon
the troubled waters at the Glen Echo
mass meeting last night. and possibly
prevented a fierce war of words between
the bOnd-issue and the anti -bOnd-issue
factions OF that little suburb.
Just now this enterprising town is
stirred by the water problem. The lead
ers are looking for votes, for on Mon
day the great question viii be settled
by the ballot. The question at issue is
this:
Some ten or fifteen years ago what
is now known as the incorporated town
of Glen Echo" was laid out by the Ma
tional Chautauqua Company of Glen
Echo. Lots were surveyed, and the
company went to the expense of
equiDpinE the place with complete
water and sewer system. The company
was sold out under mortgage fore
closure preceding all of its houses and
lots being afterward resold by the
mortgage.
Now. the people of Glen Echo have
suddenly awakened to the fact that
they do not own their water supply;
that the springs are owned by private
party, and many Of the legal lights OF
the little town have strong opinions up
on the subject of whether or not the cor
streets.
In this dire situation. John Garrett, the
young chief executive OF the town. said
10 be the youngest mayor in the United
States. had q bill introduced IN the
Maryland State Legislature, authoriz-
ing the issue of 5000 Of bonds. by the
town OF Glen Echo. With the funds
raised by the issue OF these bonds.
Mayor Garrett and his supporters In
tend to purchase and modernize the
water and sewer systems.
Mondays election Will decide whether
or not the town council is 10 direct the
issue of these bonds.
There is strong opposition. the leader
of which appears 10 be Arthur HOugh-
ton, sr., one OF the oldest residents of
Glen Echo The contention of Ir.
Houghton and his friends is that they
bought their property with all water and
sewer rights included in the deeds. and
that it would lie unjust. now to lay an
extra water tax upon them to pay for
the issue of these bonds.
Bitter Personalities INDUCED In.
The campaign has been fierce and per-
sonaL Evil-appearing cartoons have
been scattered throughout the town de-
plotting the mayor in all sorts of guses.
Charges of sraft, incompetency, and
ignorance have been made.
her remarks last night that she scarce
lv knew what the trouble was 'I know
that my house is supplied with water. -
said Miss Barton, in sweet and gentle
tones, but really do not believe 1 ever
took the trouble to find out where it
came from or who furnished IT. Now
let US see if we cannot get to the bot
tom Of this thing"
Miss Barton then asked Arthur
Houghton to come up TO the front and
stand by her. Your father was nv
best FRIEND out here, and you are about
the only gentleman here that / know -
she said 1t so happened that Miss Bar
ton called upon the leader of the opposi-
ton Mr.. Houghton, in plain words ex-
pressed his reason for opposing the is
sue of the bonds.
Miss Barton at once saw that there
was considerable feeling in the contro-
versy. She declared that she had no
opinion upon either side, bit pleaded
with the people TO settle the matter
without any hard feelings.
Let us keep our neighborly respect /"
she said. LET me plead with you all
TO do what is right. and keep our little
town free from scandal and factional
quarrels. Let us settle our little diff
cultes among ourselves as neghbors
should
Word o,, yUo,,,,- C,,@r,ro