Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-09
NEW LAW ON MARRIAGE
Northeast Citizens Discuss the
Need of Regulation.
TO PREVENT TUBERCULOSIS
Wedding of Infected Persons Should
Be Stopped.
TO PREVENT TUBERCULOSIS
RECLAIMING ANACosTIA FLATS
No Objection to Cross-Town Line
Want Three-Mail Delivery Serv-
ice Re-esta blished.

Despite the Indictment weather last night
there large attendance at the reg
ular monthly meeting of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association, held at
Northeast Temple Members of the asso-
citation showed an active interest in street
railway matters being interested in the
proposed cross-town lines that are pro-
vided for in bills that have already been
introduced The question of retaining the
Anacostia fats was also discussed. and
DIR. Starr Parsons, chairman of the COM
mittee sanitary affairs. presented n re-
port and resolution upon the question of
persons afflicted with tuberculosis marry
ing. In his report he said:
1T would seem proper and prudent for
any person, before entering the holy bonds
of matrimony, to ascertain. or cause to be
ascertained, if he she has any trace of
the dreadful and dreaded germ of con-
sumption. 1t is a well-known fact that
consumption is contagious disease, and,
furthermore, heredity of transmission is
where the danger is perhaps the greatest.
The offspring of a married couple afflicted
with tuberculosis, must necessarily be in
oculated with the germs Of that disease;
thus sooner or later il Will manifest itself
in the innocent children of such parents,
bringing not only unhappiness, but per-
and suffering. How much better to go at
the root of this difficulty find the cause,
and stamp out the disease at the very be-
ginning, by legislative enactment, that shall
regulate and provide such a procedure
shall prove beyond the possibility of a
doubt that applicants for marriage license
shall be free from contamination, than TO
allow. as at present, free and unrestrain-
ed marriage license to all persons of proper
age and with no legal impeachment there
to.
New Stringent Law.
What we seek to accomplish is by proper
laws that tuberculosis shah be considered
a legal impeachment so far such persons
that may be afflicted with consumption are
concerned; and that they shall be prohibited
from entering the marriage relation or pro-
curing license from the clerk OF any court
in the United States of America unless
they shall satisfy such clerk or clerks that
they are not afflicted with the disease call
ed tuberculosis
Upon concluding the reading OF his re-
port the chairman offered resolution set
ting forth that it is the sense of the North
east Washington Citizens Association that
special laws shall be passed by Congress,
on the recommends ton OF the Commission
ers of the District of Columbia for the
purpose OF preventing the marriage OF per-
sons afflicted with the disease commonly
called consumption or tuberculosis.
The resolution was adopted.
Retaining Anacostia Flats.
President Tucker called attention to the
progress that has been made in the mat
ter involving the proposed reclamation of
the Anacostia flats. He said he knew the
Commissioners would do all in their power
to accomplish as much possible in the
matter
Mr. Sowerbutts suggested that the COM
mittee on sanitary affairs might prepare a
strong report upon the questions involved
in the effort to get the flats reclaimed.
Dr. Starr Parsons. chairman of the COM
nittee on sanitary affairs, assured the as
sociation that he will prepare such a re-
port to be submitted to the Commissioners.
President Tucker told of what was done
in the matter by the association several
wears ago, when an elaborate report was
nrepared which showed the effect upon
the health of the people Of East Washing
ton. The reclamation of the Potomac mats
he stated. was followed by an appreciate
decrease in the number Of Zymotic diseases
in the section that had been affected by the
flats referred to.
Mr. Sowerbutts chairman OF the COM
mittee on public conveyances, said there
had been no meeting of his committee since
last month He said, however, that lie had
written TO Gen Harries vice president Oh
the Washington Traction and Electric Com
pany asking about the establishment or
an all-nght service on II street re-
spouse from the official of the road was
received stated Mr. Sowerbutts. In which
the writer stated that he would put the
matter before the board of directors.
Cross-Town Line.
President Tucker discussed the bills pro-
viding for the extension of the two street
RAILWAYS in the northeast section and said
he thought some action should be taken TO
favor them.
Mr. Flemming said he thought it would be
well for the association to educate the peo-
ple in the matter and have them stop MAX
ing frivolous objections to the construction
of cross-town railways So far as he Is
concerned he stated, he would welcome
a street car line on 9Th street in front OF
his home. Railways, he stated, VIII en-
nance the value of property, and the peo-
pIe should not object to them. He said he
had been informed that the reciprocal trans
fer privileges will be accorded between Cap
ital Traction and Old Dominion lines. Upon
conclusion of the discussion the associa-
ton voted TO approve both railway DIS
that have been introduced, so far as they
affect Northeast Washington.
Dr. L D. Walter read a communication
he had received from Postmaster Merritt
in response to the effort to have the three
mail delivery restored. 1t was stated that
the change had been made in the service by
the first assistant postmaster general, VINO
had acted upon the report of inspectors:
The postmaster said DR.. Walter, promised
10 do all in his power to have the service