Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-29
STILL OPPOSE BUILDING BILL
SUBURBAN CITIZENS REAFFIRM
DIsAPPRovAL.
Rhode Island Avenue Association
Not Satisfied With Amendment
Proposed by Commissioners.

The Rhode Island Avenue Suburban
Citizens Association at a meeting last
night reafirmed its attitude opposing n.
r. bill 1888. TO regulate licensing OF build
ers. despite the recent action OF the Com
mssioners amending the bill by adding a
fourth-class license. The meeting was
held in Odd Fellows Hall. Goth and Rhode
Island avenue northeast
At a previous meeting Of the association
resolutions were adopted opposing the
measure. At a hearing before the Com
missioners the members Of the association
set forth their objections.
The Commissioners few days ago
amended the bill so as to include fourth
class license. This did not meet with the
approval of the association.
The bill is now in the District commit
tee. Members Of both committees in Con-
gress will be advised by the association
that 1t is still unalterably opposed to it.
Secretary c. l.. Mendell read the bill
B. F. Edwards. Bristow Adams and 9TH
ers spoke in opposition to the bill as
framed by the Commissioners.
1t was asserted 1t would increase the
cost of building. and that the larger
builders would reap the benefit of the
measure. No legal action which cannot
be had at the present time, it was de-
clared, would be made possible by the
measure. The bill would protect the Com
missioners. but would not protect the
owner of property.
One member remarked that if the build.
Ing regulations were properly enforced
there would be no need of such a meas
ure. 1t would protect the Commissioners
and the District government from suits,
and would not prevent accidents, which
would occur just the same.
\. T. Howison. practical builder. ex-
planned various parts of the bill. II. r.
Christie said he would favor the bill If 1t
secured the buildings and saved the work
men from injuries while buildings were
in course of construction.
A vote was finally taken, reaffirming
the previous action of the association.
There was no dissent.
The secretary informed the association
that Postmaster L. +. Barnes, in a COM
munication relative to the erection of ad-
dition letter boxes in that vicinity said
that it would require an increase OF serv-
ice. for which there were no funds. He
stated. further, that an evening collection
view to expedite the dispatch of mail
placed in the boxes after the afternoon
delivery, and that 1t was not now feast
BILE to make any further extension of
service.
The association requested that box
be established at oath and Irving streets
northeast.
letter from the Congress Heights
Public Improvement Association stated
that the association had gone on record
as opposed to the builders bill.
The report of Charles w. Davis, chair
man ofsthe committee on the government
of the District OF Columbia of the Ia
koma Park Citizens Association. was
read by the secretary. No action was
taken.
The report Of the executive committee,
relative to the finances of the association,
was read and approved.
3. 7. HOLSTER and Leroy W. Cook
were elected members.
Brstow Adams, chairman of the COM
mittee on sewers, reported relative to the
east side intercepting sewer. the appropri-
alton for which had been cut down from
$50. 900 10 $4,000 by the House District
committee President Symons urged the
members Of the association to appeal to
the Senate District committee to restore
the item to its former figure.
The association Endorsed the bill in Con-
gress, providing for the opening Of Frank
lin street northeast. West Woodbridge, d.
c., from, 18th street to Bladensburg road.
1t was explained that If the bill becomes
law it will prepare the way for
bridge over the Baltimore and Ohio
tracks at this point and thus provide for
the safety OF pedestrians from passing
trains.
]. D. Ashby presented a scrap book to
the association containing clippings from
The Star since the date OF organization,
nearly q year ago.
The association adopted resolutions con-
graduating Commissioner H. l.. West on
his reappointment for another term as
District Commissioner.
An effort was made to change the by
laws by transferring the power Of APP
pointing members of the standing CON-
mittees by the president Of the associa-
ton to the chairman of the various conf
mittees. who are elected by the members.
The proposition was voted down. The
amendment was presented by NJ. E. Sa-
bin, G. f. Hustled. B. F. Edwards. j. L.
Knopp and j l.. Kause.