The Washington times., 1912-03-14
WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU.
ANACOSTIA. u. c.. MARCH "a.

AINACOo1lh' ~ - "hfNNAl iH'
The Anacostia Citizens Association
today forwarded protests to the Ap-
propriations Committees in both Houses
of Congress and to the District Com
missioners against the provision of the
District appropriation act, as reported
to the Senate, specifying assessment
methods on local property, adjudgcd
to derive benefits, in the proposed aC-
quirement OF former Forts Davis and
Dupont, IN the Anacostia section, and
Mt Hamilton, in the northeast, for
park purposes, while a direct appro-
priation from the Treasury is named
for the purchase of Klingle valley ford
for similar use
In taking this attitude the assoCia-
ton Endorsed the stand of the Rhode
Island. Avenue Citizens Association,
which has forwarded a like protest
President Charles r. Burr, John r..
Earpshaw and others regarded it as
significant that property in the eastern
section Is proposed for taxation to ac-
quire ground for public parks, while
no assessment plan is arranged for in
the case of similar proposal IN north
west Washington.
President Burr explained to the asso-
Ciation that it Is also proposed to as
seSs benefits against the southeastern
part of the District when the Govern
ment acquires the riEht-of-way along
both shores of the AnaCostia river for
the purpose of perfecting title before
proceeding with the reclamation OF the
Anacostia fats. No action was taken
by the Anacostia association relative
to this phase OF the assessment problem,
however, although the protest entered
by the Northeast Washington Citizens
Association was read
Taking up the question Of the i'm
Drovcment of the Anacostia fats he
Maurice Otterback pointed out that
after 4 recent visit from Colonel Lang
fit, engineer officer in charge of the
river improvements: oscar Brothers. IT,.
The owner of a large river frontage, had
agreed to donate to the Government his
right -of-way along The southern shore.
If other property owners had concur
red in Mr.. Brothers plan. stated Mr.
&c have excluded the southern side Of
the river from the bill entered by Sena-
tor Gallinger for the requirement of
ground by the Government. 4 visit to
Several land owners along the southern
schCre had disclosed. declared Mr.
tutCrbaCk. that they would not FOL
low cIr. Brothers example. The bill
to acquire it then was introduced.
After a vigorous debate, in which
nearly every member of the association
tool; part, DR.. James A. Watson won
the point for which he has been con-
tending in having the committees Of
the association reduced from five and
three members to one, he to be chair
man. with one substitute to act in his
inability to serve. AS this issue IN
volved amending the constitution, there
was no limit to the arguments, ard
some interesting things about the fail
ure of committees to meet. or their
tendency to leave the work for one
man to do, were heard.
Jerome Diggs scored point when he
asserted that the Anacostia association
has been unsuccessful with its commit
tees for twenty years. The proposed
change was combatted by President
Burr, who took the floor to support his
plan of having committees limited to
three members hereafter. Dr. Watson
upheld his amendment, as did Maurice
Otterback, Charles Graft, and w. j.
Latimer. Nearly all opposed having
any more committees being determined
to test the One-man and alternate sys-
tenn. Finally. Dr.. Watson's motion pre-
vailed.
For time it seemed as though the