The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-12
Citizens Association Hears
of Grievances at Spirit
ed Meeting.
POOR CAR SERVICE
SEVERELY CRITICISED
Death Dealing Slums Also Form
Topic for Discussion by
Members.

Death-dealins slumS. inadequate street
car service, and Unsightly shade trees
are grievances, and a new emergency
hospital, new public park and a new
fire engine house are projects being
agltated today by committees represent
ing the Petworth Citizens Association.
The association held a spirited meeting
at the Methodist Church, Eighth and
Shepherd street northwest last night,
and various subjects were discussed at
length by the members. the principal
topics being the slums and poor car ser
Vice TO the suburb. Both OF these sub
Jects were handled in a vigorous man
ner by James +. Oyster, who submitted
facts and figures that were a revelation
TO the other members.
1t Is nothing more than a crime
real murder-fOr the District 10 remain
idle and permit $50 ont Of every 1000
babies in the slum district die each
year." declared Mr.. Oyster, who stated
that he had taken the figures from the
records OF the Health Department.
'Three-fcurths Of the disease in the
city has its inception in the filthy al
ieys, and it. therefore. should be the
FIRST duty OF the officials to wine out
these plague spots, rather than exert
all their efforts, and spend all the money
making more beautiful city
Purifiers VS.. Pcautifers.
There should be purifiers as well as
beautifiers in Washington, as the death
rate would indicate. Washington stanGs
high in the list of the most unhealthy
cities, and the high rate should be a
warning"
The upshot of this discussion was tina.
the secretary was instructed 10 write a
letter to the District Commissioners in
forming them that it is the unanimous
wish Of the association that as large
amount as possible be appropriated 20
aid in wiping out the slum sections.
a proposition to urge upon Congress
the necessity OF an emergency annex to
Garfield Hospital D4- r. F. Gibbs. Of
the Columbia Heights Citizens ASSO-
citation, declared that he had had over
100 emergency cases in that section Of
che city, and nearly always had to wait
almost an hour for an ambulance. Tue
matter was referred 10 a committee for
investigation.
The UDshur Park project was placed
in the hands Of a committee, which will
ask the District Commissioners TO make
a personal inspection of the tract be-
fore the hearing on the proposition be
gins.
\ letter. from the Commissioners
stated that a hearing could be had any
time after October Is
Street Cars Criticised.
P-A-Y-E cars were severely criticised
by the members, the attack on the new
type put in operation being led by Mr.
Oyster, who asserted that they were de-
signed with a view Of aGOTding more
standing room rather than greater seat
irE capacity. He stated that the char
tors under which the two traction COM
panies operate in Washington provide
that "cOnvenient and comfortable cars
be furnished.
Tine two railway companies defy
Congress, the Interstate Commerce
Commission. the District Commits
sioners and the public at large said
Mr. oyster. They are arrogant and
defiant, and compel the citizens to ride
in miserable cars, and at the same
time pay interest on over Sl2, 900 ,00l
water. There should be an awaken
ing by the citizens TO the 1ntOlerable
insults and indiEnitieS heaped upon
them b. these public service corpora
tiCns."
A committee was authorized to draf'
set Of resolution to be presented e
the District Commissioners and the
Interstate Commerce Commission
with a request that something be done
10 improve what was chara cterized a:
miserable car service"
Regarding the new fire engine house
committee reported that the Distric
Commissioners had stated that already
An appropriation had been made for {
site and building, but no other de.
tails were available at Rresent-