The Washington times., 1907-01-15
vigorous Protests Against
Railroad EncrOaching Up
on Public Domain.
Committee Will Appeal to
Congress for Action
Against Road.
Condition of Streets and
Sidewalks Discussed at
Some Length.

There was largely attended and en-
lhusiastic meeting Of the South Wash
lngton Citizens Association last night
In the parish house of Grace Protestant
Episcopal Church. Ninth and d streets
southwest.
The association entered "a vigorous
protest against pending legislation al
fecting their section. the alleged neglect
Of the Commissioners Of the needs oi
that section. and after a TWO houFs
session. adjourned 10 enjoy an old
fashioned Dutch dinner"
The improvements 10 the roadway Of
the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
now under construction through South
west Washington came 40 for a heated
discussion when q communication vas
read from the District Commissioners
p response 10 a l-tter OF inquiry from
the association in which had been made
protests against ihe taking of public
spacing and entertainment on the buid-
e. line by the railroad The Commission
80 gave no assurance that the railroad
would be restrained from using the
public property by extending their re-
tanning walls Tor overhead crossings and
subways under Jheir tracks Of streets
leading 10 their Yards and freight
houses.
Ii was alleged that the railroad, under
authority OF the Commissioners, was
preparing 10 take zen feet of public
land along these streets. apprONimaJing
something like 900 feet. and that re-
tanning walls We're TO be extended to
lie inconvenience OF property owners
and The depreciation of their property
and the general loss TO the community
al large. A committee viii be appointed
10 call upon the Commissioners and pro
test against The appropriation of this
land by the railroad, and II II fails 70
secure what is demanded the committee
viii exert its influence on the members
uI the House Committee on the District
of Columbia 10 introduce legislation 10
restrain the railroad or else through in
junction proceedings in the courts.
Senate bill No. 5l65. introduced in the
House by Representative GallInger De
-embeT IS last, giving authority TO the
commissioners 10 change the width or
streets. fiN the building line and make
other changes IN grades, etc, which Is
favored by the Commissioners. met with
"a storm of protests, and the association,
by unanimous vote so expressed itself
When the question OF streets and
roads was called w A. II Church, the
presiding Officer. left the chair 10 say
that the general condition Of the streets
and payements IN Southeast Naslng
ton was bad.
r Harrison Johnston. A member OF
the District OF Columbia bar was elect
sd president; Frank b. Gilmore, secre-
larry, and Thomas p. Stephenson treas
urer. of the association. The first Mon
say In each month was fixed upon as
The meeting night in the future
After the association adjourned the
members. on investigation, went To the
home OF Nicholas Auth, senior member
II the n. Auth Provision COMPANY on
b street, nearby, and enjoyed Dutch
dinner" The guests enjoyed the rapast
sud voted Mr. Auth their thanks and
appreciation. John Auth presided al
-he dinner.
When the dinner was over the party
made a tour OF the big plant Of the pro-
vision company.