Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-07
FROM BENN|NG.
CITIZENS COMPLAIN OF RE.
MOvAL OF CITY LIGHTS.
Highway Dangerous to Travel, De.
clares Association Secretary,
in Communication.

Protests against the discontinuance OF
lamps on Central avenue from Benning
to the District line and on Ridge
road from Anacostia to Bowen road have
been received by the Commissioners from
@. L. Beck. secretary OF the Benning
Citizens Association.
The protest follows:
I'VE understand. acting on the recon-
mendation Of W. c. Allen. electrical en-
gineer. you have issued an order that
twenty mine lights along Central avenue
from Benning road to the District line
and thirty-eight lights along Ridge road
from Anacostia road TO Bowen road shall
be discontinued.
1.-The Benning Citizens Association
wishes TO enter a vigorous protest against
the disoontinuance Of these lights. Central
avenue is thoroughfare traversed by a
large number of vehicles. not only in the
day time. but during the night hours. as
adjoining 1t are located truckers, dairy
men. etc. whose business requires that
they be on the road In the early morning
hours and also late at night.
while Ridge road possibly Is not
used by SO large a number OF teams. IL Is
traversed at night sufficiently often by
teams and pedestrians to justify the re-
tention Of the present lighting facilities
thus giving them the measure of pro-
lection such lights AFFORD. In view Of
the fact that two assaults have been
committed on Ridge road since the
lights have been installed, 1t would seem
by disseminating them a condition would
be created inviting further and more
numerous acts Of this sort.
Danger to Travellers.
1--WE cannot feel otherwise than that the
- rt-H he
these highways more or less dangerous
to those compelled to use them. not only
with regard to physical violence, but also
the added element of danger to horses and
vehicles which obtains on any unlighted
country road.
IF our understanding Is correct. that
these lights are TO be discontinued for the
purpose of making available additional
lighting facilities for the streets and al
leys of the city. wish to go on record
a. protesting strongly against any action
having as its object the elimination of
lights from our section for the benefit OF
another locality, particularly when such
places are at present better provided for
than the territory from which the lights
are to be taken.
Believing that the residents of the
eastern section of the District are as
much in need and as justly entitled to
lights any other section or locality, we
are unqualifiedly opposed TO the discon-
tinuance of lights along Central avenue
and Ridge road"
Randle Highlands is protesting against
the removal of lights in the southeastern
suburbs. At a meeting held there last
night Col Arthur Z. Randie was ap-
pointed a delegate from that section to
appear before the Commissioners Friday,
September .. at the public hearing on the
light question.
Congress Heights Protest.
The suburban street lights question was
vigorously discussed at a meeting OF the
Congress Heights Public Improvement
Association In the town hall on Alabama
avenue last night. The recent order OF
the District Commissioners disseminating
many street lights In the Congress Heights
| section was roundly censured.
w. w. Price. president OF the associa-
ton, and G. w. Kennedy. vice president,
were appointed q committee to represent
| the association at the hearing before the
Commissioners on the subject OF street
| lights, which will be held Friday. They
| will enter the protest of the association
| against the new order.
The committee on railroads made q
| favorable report. TO the effect that the rail-
| road company had practically assured the
| citizens that the double-track system
| would be extended from its present termi-