Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-12
Benning Organization Dissatisfied
With Postal Service.
WANTS sUBsTATIoN RETAINED
Louis p. Shoemaker Asserts That
Right to Vote Should Be Re-
stored to People.


discussed was one which was close to the
hearts of every resident of that suburb
and related to Postmaster Barnes decision
to leave Benning without postal SUBJ
station. The Postmaster General will be
asked to reverse the decision.
The Brightwood Citizens Association
publicly declared its position with refer
ence to suffrage in the District and
adopted resolutions advocating and ap-
proving legislation to be enacted into
laws for the future government of the
District. at its meeting last evening in
Brightwood Hotel. The resolution was
presented by Louis p. Shoemaker. the
president. and was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Shoemaker Favors Suffrage.
At the request of President Shoemaker
the vice president, Wilton J. Lambert. pre-
sided. while the former addressed the
meeting. advocating the adoption of the
resolutions. He said 1t is for the best
trict that the right of limited suffrage be
restored to them, SO that they can elect
a delegate to the House of Representa-
tives. The present form of government
he considers un-American and contrary
to the fundamental principle of American
ton without representation. Mr.. Shoe
maker said further that as the associa-
ton had inaugurated the proposition. he
thought it's position should be made clear
on the subject, and he ventured the
opinion that the majority of the people of
the District will approve the proposition
as outlined in the resolutions. The latter
provide that without disturbing the ex-
listing conditions, without disturbing the
Commissioners of the District of Column
mr.. he ro1o IN hot hn TT,,{$
States and the District of Columbia, and
without making other change whatever in
our existing form of government, we rec
ommend that there shall be a delegate
Congress of the United States who shall
be resident of the District of Columbia
for five years. a taxpayer and elected
every two years by the qualified voters Of
the District of Columbia.
Qualification for Voters.
mo male person shall be qualified to
vote in the District of Columbia who is
not over twenty-one years of age, resi-
dent therein for one year. and four
months in his ward or election district,
prior to the ensuing election. He shall
pay taxes on $500. assessed for real or
personal property. and be able to read and
write the English language. No person
who is qualified voter in any other state
OF the Union shall be voter in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
THE political and financial relations be-
tween the District of Columbia and the
United States. created by the act of June
II. 1873, with the above exceptions. and
al laws not inconsistent with this bill
remain in full force and effect
without advocating at the present time
other changes. we feel that the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia should
be elected as is prescribed in this resolu-
ton, with reference to the delegates to
Congress, believing as we do that Com
be no less responsible to Congress than
Commissioners appointed by the Presi-
dent. And We are also Of the opinion
that there should be an adjustment or
stating of an account between the United
States and the District of Columbia and
that whatever may be found due to the
District of Columbia by the United States
because of the departure from the spirit
and letter of the compact of 1873 shall
be placed to the credit of the District of
Columbia by the United States
Revenues for Current Expenses.
I'VE are also of the opinion that some
definite plan should be established SO
that in accordance with the recommended
ton which has been made by the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia,
and frequently Endorsed by this associa-
ton. to the effect that current revenues
shall be used for current expenses and
that large and extraordinary improve
ments which have been recently made.
and shall have to be made in the future,
should be paid for from the proceeds of
long-term loan, thus keeping down an
nual taxes in the District, which are be-
coming more and more burdensome every
year by reason Of this unbusinesslike
policy which has been pursued, and also
nj no Of ho cfe, 81
permanent improvements upon future gen.
erations
This plan of segregating large and ex-
traordinary expenses from ordinary ex-
penses is pursued by the United States
government itself, and by every state,
county. city and town throughout our
country, and we consequently ask for it's
adoption here
Copies of the resolutions were ordered
forwarded to the Chairman of the as
the different citizens associations. to
the commissioners and to the chairmen
of the committees on the District of Co.
lumbia of the House and the Senate.
To Ask Donations of Land.
H. Lee Ragland presented a resolution.
which was adopted by the association,
requesting the special committee, COM
posed of Wilton j. Lambert, Louis p.
oiioeiHdhsi, bldif Lee ana 1hOmaS BlaS
den, to endeavor to secure donations of
land necessary for the further extension
or lfh street from Its present terminus
To the District line. President Shoe
maker was authorized to appoint a
building committee" to be composed OF
five or more members, whose duty it
shall be to specially promote the building
of residences and business houses in and
around the village of Brigiltwood, the
committee to make monthly reports to the
association with recommendations to in
crease the building of homes in that
section.
The association, in resolution by
Charles r. Newman. indorsed and recon-
mended the passage of the joint resolu-
ton introduced in the House by Repre-
sentative Clark of Florida providing for IL
change in the form of government in the
District A copy of the bill was read by
Mr. Newman at the meeting
The secretary read a letter from the
engineer department of the District, stat
ing that a certain dangerous roadway in
Rock Creek Park will be heightened
about twenty feet in order TO widen
the roadway at the point complained of
to twenty-seven feet.
land were elected members of the ASSOC
citation.
Reference to Brightwood Railway.
BY a resolution presented by MIR. Lam
bert and unanimously adopted, the atten-
ton of the interstate commerce commits
sion will be called to the existing condi-
lions on the Brightwood railway line