Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-20
REPRESENTATIVE SMITH DINED
GUEST OF SOUTHEASTERN SUB
URBAN CITIZENS.
Needs of Section Discussed With
Member of House Committee
on District of Columbia.


tive men of the southeastern suburbs
last night at the home of Charles a
Stevens in Anacostia. to meet Repre-
sentative Samuel W. Smith OF Michigan
chairman of the House committee on the
District of Columbia. There was a heart
to-heart talk with him about the needs
of that section in particular and the en-
tire District in general
The function was in the nature of a
banquet. The guests. beside Representa-
tive Smith. were the presidents and rep
resentatives of several citizens associa-
tons
julius w. Tolson, who was referred to
as tue mayor of Anacostia," and who
has spent sixty-three years in that place
tsand its immediate neighborhood, was
named by Host Stevens as toastma ster
In presenting Representative Smith to
the gathering Mr.. Tolson said one of the
crying needs of the southeast was the
reclamation OIL the Anacostia fats.
One of the greatest recent accomplish
ments In the District of Columbia" Rep
reSentatire Smith said. lis the completion
Of the magnificent Union railroad station
and the completion Of the street railroad
tracks to the structure, an edifice which
is the pride of the entire nation
He said he was Informed the company
which has the contract for building the
cross-town railroad may not complete it.
Expressing the hope that he has been
misinformed. he said it is desirable that
the road shall be equipped and placed In
running order.
Referring to the gas question. Mr.
Smith spoke of the delay that has been
occasioned at the Senate end Of the Cap
Hol in taking action on the House bill.
He believed the gas company should not
be put to an expense of several millions
of dollars in changing its plant when cor
receive measures could be applied to the
piping and plumbing to decrease the dam
ger from monoXlde gas. What is needed
most In the gas matter is regulation, in
his opinion.
Representative Smith referred to the
prohibition movement that is sweeping
over the country and said prohibition in
the District appeared to be impracticable
at this time. He wanted the citizens as
soclatiOnS to discuss the subject and pre-
sent to Congress their findings on the
omnipresent liquor question. He par
ticularly desires to hear from them on the
matter of the increase of the prohibition
zones and to licenses.
In conclusion he said that out in his
home district in Michigan his constit-
uents address him as plain Sam Smith.
He hoped his friends east of the Eastern
branch would do likewise.
charles f. Burr, presfdent-elect of the
Anacostia Citizens Association. the next
speaker. related "reminiscences of old East
Washington and concurred with Toast
master Tolson that one of the greatest
needs of the southeastern section is the
Improvement of the flats of the Eastern
branch.
The picturesque beauty of the suburb ban
places across the eastern branch of the
Potomac especially Rande Highlands,
were described by Capt J. Walter Mitch
ell, president of the Randle Highlands
Citizens Association. He said the future
tendency of improvements would be to-
ward the southeast. and described the
need of better public school facilities at
Randle Highlands.
Capt. Mitchell praised the work of the
police department. with its limited force
of men. and declared another of the cry
ing needs of the District is force of po-
licemen commensurate with it's size. popu-
bers of Congress to visit the southeas st
suburbs and view with their own eyes one
of the garden spots of the District.
F. E. Butterfield. secretary of the
Congress Heights Citizens Association.
;old of the bad condition of the roads IN
that section and OF its natural beauty.
George o. Watson declared that the
way TO build up Anacostia was to in
duce factories to locate in that section.
He made a strong plea for some action
for the reclamation of Anacostia flats
DR.. James A. Watson, Adolphus GUIDE
and others also spoke briefly on the
needs of the southeast and Anacostia
sections. The establishment of a new
police precinct across the branch was
urged with Lieut.. Anderson as captain
and Sergt Stevens as lieutenant.
Between the addresses there were mu-
steal numbers. vocal and instrumental.
by Mrs c. II. Fentress. Samuel ".
Filius. Charles A. Stevens and others.
The guests departed after singing Aud
Lang Syne."
Among those seated about the board
were: II. a. Buscher. president of the
East Washington Heights Citizens Asso-
citation; Robert F. Bradbury, vice presi-
dent of the Randle Highlands Citizens
Association: Prof. F. Kari Maurice OF
terback. S. NJ. Frazier. +. .E Thompson.
Lieut.. w. r. Anderson. commanding the
Anacostia police substaton: James Nc
Pherson, Thomas j. Moore. George o
Watson, Simon Birbe, S. VI. and NJ j.
Filius.