Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-28
OPPOSED To CHANGE
BrightWood Park Citizens on
Record for Organic Act.
COMMITTEE is PROPOSED
Other Associations Invited to Join in
Movement to Guard
the Law.

citation at its October meeting last even
| ing In Van Horns Hall, corner Georgia
avenue and Longfellow streets. adopted
| resolutions opposing any change in the
| organic act of 1873, whereby the federal
| government pays one-half of the expenses
| of the District of Columbia.
The matter was called to the attention
of the association by William Nick
Clayton. He said that the association
believed in the maintenance In full force
and integrity of the organic act of 1873,
which contract had already been subs;st-
ing between the national government and
the District for period of more than
thirty years.
eve believe that any disturbance or
preach OF the financial relations existing
between the national government and the
District. while disastrous to the District,
would also be violative Of the good faith
OF Congress as legislated into the act. .
Mr.. Clayton continued. While we regret
that the board of Commissioners the only
official representative Of the people be-
Iore congress-. appears to be neither
Jealous nor steadfast in it's advocacy
of this pact. as the people of the Dis
trfct have q. right to expect and right
to insist upon, we congratulate the tax
payers OF the District that they have in
Ihe Star so firm, SO consistent and SO
constant champion of this charter Of
the financial and political rights.
General Committee Proposed.
I'VE record our opposition to any con-
gressional exceptions to this agreement
of every degree or kind. and to the
end that the progress Of the District
appropriation bill in Congress may be
closely watched for possible infractions
;c
Federation of Citizens Associations that
a committee be formed of two members
of each citizens association in the Dis
trict. to be called the committee on
organic act the committee to be pre-
pared 10 appear before any committee
of Congress and oppose any violation
of the act of 1S1S.
Mr.. Clayton went on to say that the
District had done its full share i'm the
upkeep Of the National Capital adding:
I'VE don't want charity but we do
want Congress to do Justice to us. The
taxpayers are doing their full duty"
He then cited several instances to show
how assessments were made unusually
high in order to swell the tax receipts.
Three separate tracts of land in the
suburban section were alluded to. The
first piece of property was offered at
$3.50 per acre. but in order to secure
a higher price. was offered at auction
by the trustees. and brought only $50.
although the property was assessed at
$500 The court. realizing that this was
the highest price which could be OBJ
tanned, ordered the trustees to sell at
that figure. Another tract on Georgia
avenue. after considerable effort. brought
81, 900 less than the assessment on the
tax books. while another unsubdivided
tract was bought for 8 cents less than
the tax assessment showed. In all three
instances the taxes have been paid and
will continue to be assessed for the
next three years at figures stated above.
Car Fare for School Children.
The question of a reduced fare for
school children on the suburban lines,
similar to that provided i'm other cities of
the country, was discussed. and resolu-
tons adopted urging that the matter be
taken up with the officials of the local
street railways. 1t was pointed out that
half fare mas been granted in num-
Der of cities, the present full rate be-
ing a heavy tax on families that
are compelled to send their children daily
in this manner. 1t was stated that the
matter was now under consideration by
the Federation of Citizens Associations.
At the request Of w. F. Ashford the mat
ter will be taken up with the railways
ard If they fail to grant the request the
matter will probably be presented to
Congress this fall.
Relative to the recent inquiry of the
association changing the method of il
Eliminating Georgia avenue. Walter &.
Allen, electrical engineer for the Dis
trict, in a communication to the asSoci-
alton. explained that the arc lamps
were changed to sixty-candlepower IN
candescenI lamps for several reasons.
The arc lamps. he said, We're placed
at irregular intervals ranging from 200 to
400 feet. apd gave unsatisfactory and very
uneven illumination, while the new
lamps have been placed on every trolley
pole, at approximately equal spaces Of
ninety feet. thereby securing "A very
uniform illumination. The District has
been paying $3.50 per annum to light
this highway with are lamps. while the
new lamps cost only $4,4G3 per annum.
"a saving of practically sl.400, which
in itself would be a sufficient reason
for the substitution In conclusion. he
stated that this avenue is the best
lighted thoroughfare in the District out
side Of the principal streets in the heart
of the city. viewed both from the point
of the amount of illumination on the
roadway and the cost per foot of street.
Track Beds Not Paved.
Mr. Clayton presented a resolution.
which vas adopted, calling attention to
the fact that although the charter of the
Brightwood railroad calls for the paving
of the space between the tracks and its
proper maintenance by the railway COM
pany. it is not being complied with.
Joseph B. Simpson. Diller 3. Croft and
W. H. Labofsh were elected to member
ship In the association.
The Commissioners will be requested to
place street lamps at the northwest corr
ner Of Illinois avenue and Kennedy
street. on 9Th street between Longfellow
and Madison streets and on Kennedy
street between Sth and 9th streets.
The association has been invited by
George F.. Bowerman. librarian OF the
Washington Public Library. to attend the
opening exercises of the new branch Ii
brary at Talioma Park, November III, and
it hopes that the residents of Blightwood
Park and vicinity would avail Themselves
of the facilities Of the new branch.
To Plant Sycamore Trees.
The association was Informed that the
Commissioners have ordered six sycamore
trees planted on the west side Of Illinois
avenue between Kennedy and Longfellow
streets, seven Norway naples on the
south side of Ingraham street between