Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
Park View Citizens on Record
Against 0ne-Man Rule.
DISCUSSED AT MEETINGS
Northwest Suburbanites Appoint a
Conference Committee.
NO ACTION AT BROOKLAND
Question of Changing Form of Dis
trict Government Is Referred to
Legislative Committee.

The question of one-man rule for the
District Of Columbia was discussed at the
monthly meetings held last night by three
citizens associations. One of them, the
Park View association, went on record by
adopting resolutions opposing any change
in the present form of government and
warmly indorsing the administration OF
the Commissioners; another, the North
west Suburban Association. appointed a
committee to confer with similar commit
tees from other associations; while the
third, the Brookland association, referred
the whole matter to its legislative COM
mttee.
At the Northwest association Asa T..
Phillips, superintendent of sewers, and
]. NJ. Wood, the newly appointed super
intendent of the street cleaning depart
ment, addressed the meeting and told of
the work being done in their two depart
ments
Mr.. Wood declared that the street de-
partment employees were poorly paid.
while they had to work like dogs" and
that he intended to do everything possible
to better their kages.
such a nature that they attracted the at
tention of Commissioner West, who this
morning called upon him to explain. His
explanation is printed elsewhere this
issue.
The Park View citizens meeting was
held in the Whitney Avenue Christian
Church on Park road, and was one of
the stormiest meetings in the history OF
the organization.
DR.. A. B. Crane headed the opposition
movement and he received considerable
applause during the course of his re-
marks. He presented resolution, which.
in the opinion of several members of the
association. contained rather strong Ian
guage. Before it was finally adopted by
the meeting. however, he struck out the
Objectionable features to some extent.
and 1t was adopted, but not without some
slight opposition.
The resolution was presented in view
of the movement for mass meeting to
demand change in the present govern
ment As adopted, the resolution stated
has no sympathy with such movement.
believing that change at this time would
work evil to the District.
Commissioners Pledged Support.
The association commended the past
administration of the board of Commits
sioners and expressed it's confidence in
their future achievements. pledging to
them it's support in all measures for the
welfare of the District of Columbia,
especially in their efforts to have Con-
gress discriminate between current and
extraordinary expenses in making appro-
priations for the District. "A copy of
the resolution was ordered sent to each
of the Commissioners and to the press.
DR.. Crane took occasion Oreview the
history of the gas question in this city.
TAG
the floor and INDUCED in personalities, Sc
verely scoring those who were agitating
change in the present form of gov
eminent to one-man rule. He was plain
spoken in his terms and gave reasons
why no change should be made at this
time.
No graft or scandal has ever existed, he
said, and if one-man government was
instituted in place Of the present board
of Commissioners. it probably would result
in the Importation of an outsider to gov
ern the residents Of this city. Reference
was made during the course of the evening
TO several cases where outsiders had been
appointed to fill local offices. and atten-
ton was called to the loud protests which
were heard every time such appointments
were made, but the protests were never
needed.
DR.. Crane charged any faults which ex-
listed under the present form of govern
ment as largely due to the organic act
constituting the board of Commissioners.
making it necessary for them to go to
Congress for everything desired in be-
half of the District.
Arthur L. Webb opposed the wording
of a portion Of the resolution offered by
DR.. Crane. and said that while all agreed
that no change in the present form was
desirable, he would not like to be men,
Der of an association which went on
record adopting the resolution as it was
worded. He moved to have the resolution
La nd
legislation. DR.. Crane then consented to
revise the wording Of the resolution,
which was done.
Mr.. Webb reported that the United
notified him of their intention to enlarge
the boundary for the delivery of express
packages. without extra fees. to Rock
Creek Church road. taking in the sub
division Of Park View.
Through Car Service Urged.
At the request of Charles Bridwell, a
resolution was adopted directing the joint
committee representing the Takoma
Park. Brightwood. Brightwood Park, Pet
worth and Park View Citizens Associa-
tons to urge the District electric railway
commission to enforce the resolution
adopted by that body October p for
through service on the Brightwood line to
the center Of the city from Takoma Park
and the District line. This action was
suggested despite the action of the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company to
assign thirty-five new cars Of the latest
improved 'pay-as-you-enter'' type OBJ
lection was made to waiting until spring
for the through service.
During the discussion Arthur l.. Webb,
rendered his resignation as a member of
the JOINT committee, but the association
declined to accept 1t.
]. G. McGrath presented a resolution
which was adopted, thanking the Commits
sioners for the prompt and thorough man.
been made in the Park View section.
communication was read by the sec
rotary from the Southeast Washington
Citizens Association offering cooperation
to have repealed the act of Congress
changing the name of Brightwood ave-
nue. to Georgia avenue and that of Geor-
gia avenue to Potomac avenue. Secre-
tary Cooper expressed the opinion that
inasmuch as every state was represented
by leading avenue he thought the
residents might look to Senator Bacon,
who introduced the bill, for support for
civic improvements.
The association decided to request the
interstate commerce commission for def
mite information as to the assurances
which it had received from the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company re-
garding the railway situation.
The following were elected to member
ship: Miss Lola A. Ames. w. F. McDan-
iel, Clifton c. Jermane, William RoWell
Horstman, Vincent s. Marion, T. J. Guilt
name, Robert T. Bradburn and w. c..
Bengel.
George H. Russell announced that the
following improvements had been in
cluded in the annual estimates of the
Commissioners to Congress: Warder
street northwest from Manor street to
Newton place and from Luray place to
" nd Doxl