The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-07
MARYLAND TOWN
SHOWS PROGRESS
HyattsYille Gives Proof of
Increased Activity.
IT ADVANCES IN TEN YEARS
InStnns Water Supply, SewhEe Sys-
tenn, and Electric street Lighting
Within n Decade-Johnson Avenue
Improved This Year-Many New
Dwellings BuIIt-StRrts Fire House

TfyattsviIe, Nov. 6-Tho recent report
of the town assessors Of Hyattsville
shows an increase in the assessible basis
which is now considerably over the MIL
lion dollar mark.
Ten years ago the town had no public
water supply, sewerage system, or cleo
trio street lighting plant, During this
period all these conveniences have been
provided The water supply comes from
five artesian wells, with an average depth
OF 900 feet. tho water being pumped TO a
tank with a capacity Of 100000 gallons.
The plant is practically self-sustaining.
and IS owned by the municipality. The
meter system is in vogue.
The sewerage Is also the property OF
the town The street lighting plant Is
operated by the Potomac Electric Power
Company. OF Washington. Many OF the
main streets have broad granolithic side
walks. the cost OF which is charged 70
the abutung property owners. The town
tax rate is 20 cents on each $lOO. and II
requires judicious and economical admin
iStration OF affairs 90 keep the towns
head above water. SO 90 speak.
johnson Avenue Macadamized.
The most substantial Improvement made
here i'm recent years has just been COM
plejed. AS soon as Mayor William P.
liagruder was sworn IN last May ne took
steps looking % the macadamizing Of
Johnson avenue west from Maryland ave
nue. The work was started about six
weeks ago. and was opened for traffic
several days ago. The roadway is twenty
two feet wide and the work has been
pronounced by experts on road construc-
ton from Maryland and the District Of
Columbia TO be about as fine as could be
done. The cost Of the roadway will be
paid for I'm part from the county road re-
bate found, the remainder 10 be assessed
agaist the abuttiDg property owners.
The mayor gave this work his personal
attention supervising every detail, and be-
sides secured the signatures of the prop
erty owners 20 a contract IN which they
agreed. iu advance Of the work TO pay their
proportionate snare of the expense. He
states that the next street TO be macadam-
lied viii be Spencer street on which is To-
Gated three or tine six local churches,
the public school house, Masonic Temple,
and The First National Bank Of Hyatts-
Vile.
VIII Build Fire House.
Mayor Magruder recently appointed a
committee Of three members OF the town
council 70 secure plans for a new build
ing to he erected ON Ravenswood avenue.
where the local fire department recently
purchased a piece Of ground with a 'front.'
age Of 100 feet The structure IS for the
use primarily Of the fire department, but
rooms viii be provided in which to hold
sessions oc the town council. also for
the mayors private office and the town
treasurer. The building will probably
cost I'm the neiEhborhood Of 5000, and
will be as artisucally designed as the
funds available will permit
The authorities of the local Presbyterian
church have recently purchased several
lots at the corner Of Wine and Owens
avenues on which to erect n handsome
edidce, and plans arc now preparing for
the building. The present church is To-
Gated on Maryland avenue and the for
nation Of the original congregation dates
back 100 years.
Many Homes Erected.
During the past year many dwelling
houses have been erected here. Towr
Councilman Herman e. Burgess. a promi
nent Washington contractor. has erected
fifteen or twenty houses on Baltimor,
street In the southeastern section OF III
town. These houses are provided with
all modern convenlences.
Hugh Latimer and O. c. Arnold hav,
just taken possession Of their new home
in Wine avenue. and James J. Hill 4
erecting a dwelling house in the sam,
avenue. near Franklin street. DR.. Thorn
as T. Latimer is erecting a handsom
house on the "Oaklawn" property. an,
Messrs. Il w. Dorsey and George B
Luckey are having plans prepared 70
dwellings at Franklin street and Nc
CreaIy avenue. Mr.. o. B. ZantzingeI
active IN the development OF Washington
suburban property, has purchased bon
ME Brae" the home OF the late Franci
II. Smith, and has expended several thou
sand dollars IN remodeling the property
1t IS now a typical Southern home wit
board verandas and large porch pillars.
Hyattsville is located about six mile
from the center of the Capital City, an
two miles from the District line. It 1
reached by both electric and steam rail
ways, the formers cars running on
hve-minute schedule during certain hour
in the morning and afternoon. to accom-
rnodate patrons who are employed in tn
government departments in Washington
The town has a population OF about ZOO
with a fine school and churches Of ell de
nominations. There never has been
saloon I'm Hyattsvllle. and this fact
considered by many To be the CHIEF caus
Of the towns conservative growth dur
ing the past decade II is regarded a
certain that the town will continue TO re
ceive its share OF new Maryland citizen
from Washington. who are constant
seeking homes in the suburbs Of WASH
ington.