Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02
ADDRESS BY Mr.. GARDNER
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
AT MEETING OF CITIZENS.
Touches Upon Extraordinary I'M
provements in District During
Address-Dusines Transacted.

in the Masonic Temple at Tenleytown,
with Representative Washington Card
ner Of the District committee OF the
House Of Representatives as guest OF
honor. Mr.. Gardner gave a short talk
on District legislation, in which he ad-
vised that should their requests for inn
provement appropriations coming to Con-
gress through the proper channels be ig-
nored or cut down the citizens associa-
ton should keep on trying, as success in
many instances comes only after persist
ent pressing Of needs and requests.
IF the recommendations presented by
this association or other associations for
appropriations" said Mr.. Gardner, 'have
been ignored or so greatly reduced that
only small amount Of work could be
accomplished don't be discouraged. but
continue pressing and urging your claims
There is always some good reason for
ignoring measures or eliminating appro-
priations at the sessions OF Congress,
chiefly because OF more important legisla-
ton or because Of the money considera-
ton. and when your requests are not
granted during the session In which they
mean that those having charge Of the
bills do not approve them 70 believe them
to be Of too little importance for con-
sideration. This is not true by any means.
lance have been forced to go over for
future consideration.
Large Amount Of Money Needed.
1T takes q great deal OF money to run
this District. and in making your rec
Communications and suggestions you must
not forget to look carefully into the cost
deem 1t of great importance that you
curtaH recommendations for the extraor-
binary expenditures, as what may be
termed the vital expenditures cause the
appropriations for the District annually
to mount away up into the millions.
"The sewerage system Of the District I
consider one Of the extraordinary expendi-
lures. and it is one OF the very best which
can be had. The water system, costing
50. 900. is another; the Highway bridge.
the Union station. which is to be partially
paid for by the District; the Massachu-
sets Avenue bridge and the Anacostia
bridge are others. These are extraordi-
nary improvements. and though we and
those who follow US will enjoy them, their
cost runs UP the District appropriations
to very large sums. and you know there
must be a reasonable limit to all appro-
priations."
Contract Controversy.
In the course of the meeting the recent
controversy over the contract in the en-
|
called to the attention of the association.
and q resolution looking toward q public
Investigation of the matter was intro
duced by Mr.. c. c. Lancaster and unani-
n1ously passed.
The resolution earnestly requests the
District Commissioners Ito publicly In
vestigate these charges and give not only
the parties making the charges, but the
parties against whom the charges are
made 49, fqai ., free and open hearing in
people OF the District be fully advised as
to the facts. and be satisfied that no eff
fort is made by the District Commission
ers to shield any one. or to prevent full
Investigation. AZ citizens we have been
agement Of our District affairs was hon.
est and free from corruption, and in order
to maintain that reputation we want any
allegations OF wrongdoing on the part of
the District ofncials fully Investigated
and prompt action taken in the interest OF
the people,"
A second resolution requesting the
House and Senate to concur In the SEN
ate amendment to the District appropria-
ton bill providing for q grant Of $4,000
for the construction OF sewer from
Piney branch along the Rock Creek to
the Soap Stone valley sewer was offered
for consideration and was unanimously
adopted. A third resolution. requesting a
$4,000 additional appropriation to be ap-
provement of Albemarle street from Con-
necticut avenue to Rock creek, was Of
fered and unanimously adopted. These
two resolutions were presented by DIR.
John w. Chappen and X. Ludwig, re-
spectively.
Regarding Waste Water.
A resolution was offered by 8. NC
Comas Hawkins calling attention to the
many notices received by the citizens of
the northwestern section of the District
from the health department ordering that
the flow of waste water into the public
cutters be discontinued and directing that
such water be drained into the various
private yards. The resolution asks that
the sewer department flush the cutters
from time to time SO that they may be
used for the purpose for which they were
constructed. The resolution was adopted.
Following the talk of Mr.. Gardner. a
number of the members of the associa-
ton present made short speeches rela-
tive to District legislation Mr.. L. p.
Shoemaker spoke of the needs of the
northwestern section of the city and
pointed out to Mr.. Gardner a large num-
Der of improvements necessary for it's
Improvement and upbuilding. Among
others who spoke were DR.. w. L. David