Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-14
|ANACOST|ANS FAVOR
HALF-AND-HALF PLAN
Citizens Association Ready to
Oppose Change-Address
by W. Mex. Clayton.

The Anacostia Citizens Association
| stands ready at any time to oppose a
| change in the present half and-half princt-
pie of appropriation, and will stand firm
| for the partnership between the District
and the national government. as evil
denced at the December meeting of that
body last evening. The members were
enlightened on many important matters
dealing with this partnership by William
Mex. Clayton. president of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations, in an ad-
dress.
He explained that the District for sew
enty-five years had managed its own af-
fairs without any financial assistance
from the federal government. He ex-
planned the sacrifice that was made by
the taxpayers at the time the consoida-
ton was made. and also explained their
relindushinG of the right of suffrage.
Since that time" said he, I'VE have
gone hand in hand with the national gov
eminent in the development of the city.
but tine national government has not al
ways been fair to the taxpayers of the
District
In speaking further of his claim Mr..
Clayton remarked:
There is no place in the country where
res dents are required to pay more taxes
than in the District of Columbia We pay
ers and water mains. and numerous other
forms of taxation are levied upon us, and
the national government. in dealing with
the District must not lose sight of the
TACT that when water and sewer mains
are extended in front of federal govern
ment property the United States pays
absolutely no tax for the service"
He dwelt upon the absence of manu-
featuring establishments in the District,
and attributed the cause directly to the
fact that Congress, in its original agree
ment, desired that this be made the most
beautiful city in the world. and that pre-
caution be taken at all times in the es
tablishment of factories.
Scores Water Rate Increase.
In speaking of the increase in water
rates. Mr.. Clayton said:
we have an Engineer Commissioner
at the present time who is a very capa-
bic man, but who in this particular mat
ter slightly overstepped the authority
that was meant to be his. when Congress
provided that one of the Commissioners
should be an engineer from the army.
When that provision was made the in
tention of having him carry out the
work of establishing government build
ings and making this an ideal city was
uppermost in the minds of congressman.
The raising of the water rates, was dis
tinctly the act, and admitted so, of the
Engineer Commissioner and whether it
is wise or not to have one man in posi-
ton where, if he chooses, he cen double
or treble these rates is a question. That
Is not what Congress meant when it
provided for an Engineer Commissioner
In concluding his remarks. Mr.. Clayton
stated that the representatives in Con-
gress should be ever willing to do any
thing for the Identification of the Ma
tional Capital. and called attention to the
large sums that are being expended by
other governments for the betterment
Of their capital cities.
The association also Joined the move
ment for the establishment of per-
manent police and firemen's pension fund
in the District. Several talks We're given
in favor of the proposed plan. and the
association unanimously Endorsed the
Progress on Anacostia Flats.
DIR. James A. Watson chairman of the
committee on Anacostia fats. presented
an interesting report on the progress
made so far the scheme known as
project No. 1, which includes that portion
Of the work as far as the new Anacostia
bridge. According to the report this
project is at the present time about ~
per cent completed. and 16D acres of land
have been reclaimed.
The association adopted a resolution to
the effect that the commissioners incor-
pOrate in the police regulations that all
teams Or vehicles, both motor and horse
drawn. be required to stop at least twenty
feet from a street car when such street
car is stopped at a corner to permit of
passengers alighting or leaving the car
when such vehicle is moving in the same
direction as the car This. regulation is
to apply to those streets only where it is
perTH issible for a team to pass "A car.
1t was shown that numerous accidents
occur. due to the carelessness of drivers
in not adhering to the rights of pedeS-
TRANS. In this connection the newspapers
of Washington are to be requested to
publish articles from time to time eau
tioning the walking public to be more
careful in crossing streets.
Albert T.. Beck. secretary, also reported
that the Washington Gas Light Company
has begun work "a new twelve-inch
gao main along Minnesota ayenue